As always, this is not a book report. Rather, it is an opportunity to discuss some ideas that stuck with me while reading “The Historian” by Elizabeth Kostova
Redefining a Legend
“The Historian” is a grand quest set in modern times focused on redefining the legend of Dracula. This form of writing is something I tend to avoid, but this book made me rethink my preconceived notions. It was rooted in history and wisely devised from beginning to end. By doing so, Kostova added a new layer to the ever-growing legend of Dracula. When the book was over, this classic character seemed scarier, yet more approachable than ever before.
Chasing History
I love Dan Brown books because they force you to come face to face with legend, history, myth, and secrets all at the same time. This book accomplished the same thing. By no means is it as fast-paced as a Dan Brown novel, which is my major complaint with the book, but the research and love of history are still there. As the characters in the book uncover mysteries, you are afforded an opportunity to attempt solving them at the same pace as those you are reading. This type of adventure asks you to be a participant and not merely a bystander.
Across Europe
As an American, you don’t often realize how young your country is until you are faced with the scale of time that has passed over the continent of Europe. While reading this book, I once again had to wrestle this reality. On one hand, it filled me with a sense of jealousy. While I have never been to Europe, I imagine walking its streets and among its architecture is awe-inspiring and can make one feel small in the most spectacular of ways. On the other hand, it did make me love my own country a little bit more. In America, we have an opportunity to create our own history and watch it unfold before our eyes. To me, that is pretty powerful.
Facing Death
After many trips across Europe in search of the undead one, our heroes in this book come face to face with Dracula himself. In these moments, we are asked to ponder death. What does it mean to die? What part of us lives on after the fact? Can anything truly be eternal? These are all questions worth mulling over from time to time. When thinking about these things, I try to concern myself less with personal legacy and more with personal impact. I would rather the difference I can make in this world to last much longer than my name.
Be good to each other,
-Nathan
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