Reading Order
The Historian Reading Order
Elizabeth Kostova's The Historian (2005) is the literary vampire novel that spent decades being written — a young woman discovers her father's correspondence with a mysterious scholar named Bartholomew Rossi, which leads her into a multi-generational quest across Europe for the tomb of Vlad the Impaler, who may not be entirely historical. Kostova's debut novel spent four weeks at number one on the New York Times bestseller list and was sold for a then-record advance of over two million dollars.
Where to start
The Historian
Complete The Historian Book List
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The Historian
Elizabeth Kostova·2005·Start here — the complete standalone novel. Kostova's second novel, The Swan Thieves (2010), is a separate standalone.
The Historian — Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Historian a standalone novel?
Yes. The Historian is a complete standalone novel with no sequels or prequels, though it shares the same fictional world as the Dracula mythology. Kostova's second novel, The Swan Thieves (2010), is a completely separate story about a painter and his obsession. Both can be read independently.
What should I read next after The Historian?
Kostova readers continue with The Swan Thieves. For readers who loved The Historian's atmosphere, historical sweep, and Gothic quality, Dracula by Bram Stoker is the essential predecessor; The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón, The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield, and Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice are strong companions in the same literary Gothic tradition.
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