The Historian
8 journalers for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by Funkybamboozle from Sydney CBD, New South Wales Australia on Thursday, July 7, 2005
I bought this today - i just couldnt resist!! Ive started it already and it seems to be quite similar to Dan Brown's "Da Vinci Code". Im hoping that it is far superior - I'm a big fan of Vampires hence my preoccupation a few years ago with "Buffy the Vampire Slayer". It seems this book will provide an intellectual account, through fiction, of the greatest of them all - Count Dracula, and his supposed journey after his supposed death. Sounds wonderful doesnt it? Well curiosity got the better of me, and Im reading it tonight - hopefully only a few pages.
Journal Entry 2 by Funkybamboozle from Sydney CBD, New South Wales Australia on Thursday, July 14, 2005
I finished this book a few nights ago, but have been a little lazy about journalling it. Well at last I have put a little time aside, and Ill write about it now.
My thoughts on "The Historian" are a little jumbled at the moment. On one hand I found the story a wonderful intellectual journey in the search of the real Count Dracula, an exploration into the Balkan and Turkish myth and legend of Vlad the Impaler, a curious insight into folklore and song and a mesmersing account of the Great Sultan Mehemed and his quest for Ottoman rule. On the other hand, I found that it took just too long to get to the point, that the suspense was little and far between, that the scary bits were not scary and paradoxially that, although beautifully written, did not describe events that were happening all too well.
My thoughts on "The Historian" are a little jumbled at the moment. On one hand I found the story a wonderful intellectual journey in the search of the real Count Dracula, an exploration into the Balkan and Turkish myth and legend of Vlad the Impaler, a curious insight into folklore and song and a mesmersing account of the Great Sultan Mehemed and his quest for Ottoman rule. On the other hand, I found that it took just too long to get to the point, that the suspense was little and far between, that the scary bits were not scary and paradoxially that, although beautifully written, did not describe events that were happening all too well.
Journal Entry 3 by Funkybamboozle from Sydney CBD, New South Wales Australia on Sunday, July 17, 2005
Im starting a ring for this book
List of Participants:
1. Hope
2. puppymummy
3. gypsyrose02
4. kirst040 <--- it's here
5. lavenderblue61
6. tantan
7. pixette
8. claudinec
List of Participants:
1. Hope
2. puppymummy
3. gypsyrose02
4. kirst040 <--- it's here
5. lavenderblue61
6. tantan
7. pixette
8. claudinec
Much to my surprise, I LOVED this book. Yes, it was dense and slow moving, no it wasn't very scary- but I just adored it anyway. I expected to hate it, so enjoying it was such a nice surprise. I'm good at suspending disbelief- so the novel-in-letters conceit didn't bother me. I literally found myself smiling with anticipation each time I sat down to read it. Rang my bells and floated my boat- what about you?
This arrived today - I'd forgotten about it! I have a couple ahead still, so it might take a couple of weeks to get to it but footy season is almost over so I am getting a lot more reading time happening. Really looking forward to it!
I have been reading this for the last three weeks, and I think it is going to take me another week at least to finish. Not because I'm not enjoying it, I am, but the book is quite dense and a long one, and the story is slow-moving. I apologise for holding up the ring, I'm reading it as fast as I can but it's simply a long, complicated read!
Also really loved this book! Thought I might never finish it, but it was such a terrific read!
I really enjoyed the descriptions of the 15th century, architecture from all over Europe and even the churches, as well as the different parts of the Dracula legend. Not a light read, but definitely a great one! Thanks SO much to you both for sharing it with me, it'll continue on to the next destination tomorrow.
I really enjoyed the descriptions of the 15th century, architecture from all over Europe and even the churches, as well as the different parts of the Dracula legend. Not a light read, but definitely a great one! Thanks SO much to you both for sharing it with me, it'll continue on to the next destination tomorrow.
Journal Entry 8 by gypsyrose02 from Byford, Western Australia Australia on Wednesday, October 26, 2005
this has arrived (yay! another ring to add to the list!). im looking forward to reading this. ill try to get to it asap, but if it gets towards 4 weeks then ill send it on and maybe be put on the bottom of the list. thanks guys.
Journal Entry 9 by gypsyrose02 from Byford, Western Australia Australia on Saturday, November 12, 2005
couldnt finish this book. Have gone off reading at the moment (shock, horror!) Have a lot of pressure in all aspects of my life at the moment, so am trying to relieve some of it, by posting out all the rings in my house at the moment. thanks for including me. shall get it in the post asap.
Journal Entry 10 by gypsyrose02 from Byford, Western Australia Australia on Thursday, November 24, 2005
on its way to kirst040.
Journal Entry 11 by kirst040 from Sydney CBD, New South Wales Australia on Tuesday, November 29, 2005
Arrived today thanks.
I have 2 ahead of this and this looks like a fairly hefty read so I might be a bit longer than 4 weeks but I'll try to get to it ASAP and will keep you posted.
I have 2 ahead of this and this looks like a fairly hefty read so I might be a bit longer than 4 weeks but I'll try to get to it ASAP and will keep you posted.
Journal Entry 12 by kirst040 from Sydney CBD, New South Wales Australia on Monday, December 26, 2005
I finished this yesterday and I'm really in two minds about it. I felt that the writing was very cumbersome and there was very little suspense but ultimately the story was interesting especially the historical references and folklore and there was enough there to keep me reading.
Apart from dabbling in Anne Rice as a teenager I've never really been that interested in vampires. The Historian has prompted me to do a little more reading about the vampire legend - will be keeping an eye out for Bram Stoker's Dracula.
Thanks for sharing this funkybamboozle, will mail to claudinec once I have her address.
Apart from dabbling in Anne Rice as a teenager I've never really been that interested in vampires. The Historian has prompted me to do a little more reading about the vampire legend - will be keeping an eye out for Bram Stoker's Dracula.
Thanks for sharing this funkybamboozle, will mail to claudinec once I have her address.
Just an update: claudinec has asked to be moved further down the line and lavenderblue61 hasn't responded to PMs. Given the time of year I'll wait until the end of this week and if I don't hear from lavenderblue61 I'll send this off to tantan.
Still no response from lavenderblue61 so I'll get this in the mail to tantan tomorrow 17/01/06.
Received today - thanks kirst040. I have a number of other bookrings in front of it, but I'll get to it as soon as possible.
***
Edit February 16th, 2006: Started this one last night. Only a few chapters in, but it's an interesting and enjoyable read so far.
***
Edit February 16th, 2006: Started this one last night. Only a few chapters in, but it's an interesting and enjoyable read so far.
I really loved this book. No, it wasn't fast moving or suspenseful, but I'm not sure that it was actually supposed to be (despite what it says on the back cover). However, it was spine-tingling in a hair-raising-on-the-back-of-your-neck kind of way, especially at night time! The historical information was captivating, from churches to folklore, the Ottoman empire, and Dracula, too. It's gotten me interested in a whole range of subjects that I'd never really thought about previously, and I'll definitely be doing some further reading to expand my suddenly broadened horizons! :-)
Thanks for a great read, Funkybamboozle. It will be heading off to Pixette next.
***
Edit February 26th, 2006: Posting to Pixette today.
Thanks for a great read, Funkybamboozle. It will be heading off to Pixette next.
***
Edit February 26th, 2006: Posting to Pixette today.
Journal Entry 17 by 
Pixette
from Sydney CBD, New South Wales Australia on Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Pixette from Sydney CBD, New South Wales Australia on Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Received in the post today. Thanks Tantan
Just thought I'd drop an update. I am enjoying this. I am halfway through.
I do find having 2 characters narrating in the first person is confusing at times but this only gives mild annoyance.
I'm doing a fairly leisurely pace - so its likely to be another month before I'm finished. If anyone is in a hurry let me know and I'll speed up.
I do find having 2 characters narrating in the first person is confusing at times but this only gives mild annoyance.
I'm doing a fairly leisurely pace - so its likely to be another month before I'm finished. If anyone is in a hurry let me know and I'll speed up.
Finished!
I did enjoy the book immensely but it was most certainly not "unbearably suspenseful" as stated on the back cover.
I loved the historical discussions and visiting of ancient monasteries etc. plus the use of letters sent by various people spanning decades and sometimes centuries.
As I noted previously I did find 2 x 1st person narrators a bit distracting.
I was also a little disappointed by the ending. Although all wrapped up nicely, considering the subject material, I would have preferred something a bit more 'larger than life'.
I eagerly await another novel from this author.
Thanks Funkybamboozle for sharing and I'll send it off to claudinec when I get an address
I did enjoy the book immensely but it was most certainly not "unbearably suspenseful" as stated on the back cover.
I loved the historical discussions and visiting of ancient monasteries etc. plus the use of letters sent by various people spanning decades and sometimes centuries.
As I noted previously I did find 2 x 1st person narrators a bit distracting.
I was also a little disappointed by the ending. Although all wrapped up nicely, considering the subject material, I would have preferred something a bit more 'larger than life'.
I eagerly await another novel from this author.
Thanks Funkybamboozle for sharing and I'll send it off to claudinec when I get an address
Journal Entry 20 by Pixette at Postal Release in -- Controlled Release, New South Wales Australia on Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Pixette at Postal Release in -- Controlled Release, New South Wales Australia on Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Released 18 yrs ago (4/25/2006 UTC) at Postal Release in -- Controlled Release, New South Wales Australia
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
To be posted to Claudinec
To be posted to Claudinec
Received in the mail -- will start reading ASAP.
I've scanned the previous journal entries and am a bit embarrassed to say that I did find it scary. But then, I don't often read anything that even resembles horror. In spite of that, I had trouble putting this book down - I always wanted to see what new twist would turn up on the next page. I found the mix of modern and historical mysteries engrossing. Perhaps it's because history is an old and neglected love of mine.
My main criticism is that the story built up momentum then ended too neatly (hmm, reminds me of the Rule of Four).
I'll see if lavenderblue is still interested otherwise will ask funkybamboozle what to do.
My main criticism is that the story built up momentum then ended too neatly (hmm, reminds me of the Rule of Four).
I'll see if lavenderblue is still interested otherwise will ask funkybamboozle what to do.
Posted to Funkybamboozle's mum at her request.
