The Blood Countess
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List Price:
$6.99
Hungary Hotels Travel Price: $24.75
Subject To Change Without Notice
Availability: N/A
Manufacturer: Dell
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Average Customer Rating:  
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Binding: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.54
EAN: 9780440221913
ISBN: 0440221919
Label: Dell
Manufacturer: Dell
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 453
Publication Date: 1996-07-02
Publisher: Dell
Release Date: 1996-07-02
Studio: Dell
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Editorial Reviews:
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Andrei Codrescu, NPR commentator and journalist, has written a fascinating first novel based on the life of his real-life ancestor, Elizabeth Bathory, the legendary Blood Countess. Codrescu expertly weaves together two stories in this neo-gothic work: that of the 16th-century Hungarian Countess Elizabeth Bathory, a beautiful and terrifying woman who bathes in the blood of virgin girls; and of her distant descendent, a contemporary journalist who must return to his native Hungary and come to terms with his bloody and disturbing past.
Drake Bathory-Kereshtur, a Hungarian-born journalist who has lived in the United States, returns to his native Hungary, only to be the target for recruitment among a patriotic group that wants to restore the glory--and the horror--of the Hungarian aristocracy. As a descendent of the Countess Elizabeth Bathory, he is heir to all that is wonderful and terrible about his country and his family's past. Codrescu brilliantly explores Drake's anguish, as he realizes the truth behind his gruesome family history. But more importantly, Codrescu also creates a convincing and historically accurate picture of a sadistic woman obsessed with youth, vigor, beauty, and blood_a woman with enough power to order the deaths of 650 virgins so that she could bathe in their blood.
The Blood Countess is a bizarre and compelling book about the horrors of the past, shown so effectively in the monstrous yet attractive personality of Elizabeth, and what pull these horrors have on those who live now.
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Spotlight customer reviews:
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Customer Rating:
Summary: Blood and swash!
Comment: I found Codrescu's account compelling and much of his prose beautiful and beguiling. The blood and other bodily fluids flow freely in this well crafted tale of gothic horror. I found some of the sex scenes a bit over the top, but then again nobody ever paid to read under the top. If you are looking for a fascinating and darkly lurid tale written in flowery and delicate language you've come to the right place.
Much of the details are gleaned from history, some are creations of the author but nothing seems contrived. But in any case as a historian myself I found his efforts amusing and precious little amuses me at my age. A good read, interesting and enjoyable. I do recommend it without reservation.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Definitely interesting
Comment: I just finished this book and I must say, it's not like any other book I've read before. I have been interested in Elizabeth Bathory for awhile now, and this book was crazy! Although the book is fiction it is based on events in her life. The author didn't leave much to the imagination which led to some very graphic visuals, sometimes a little too much info. There is quite a bit of sexual content which I think was a little unnecessary and sometimes it seemed like he just wanted to throw it in there out of the blue. The story flips back and forth between Elizabeth's life and then a more current life of a relative who is pleading guilty for a murder he claims was due to his relation to Countess Bathory. I found myself almost wanting to skip every other chapter just so I could read about Elizabeth and not the other guy but in the end the author managed to tie it all together. I would recommend the book, but be warned it has some rather details passages.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Entertaining and Gives a "Face" to Elizabeth
Comment: I understand the so-so reviews here, but I think most people are missing the biggest lure of this novel : Giving Bathory a face and motive. Because there is so little written and even know about Elizabeth, no one today can put even possibly begin to understand her or pass judgement. But this book gives her a story. I thought it was well written and interesting. Yes, there is graphic sexual and tortuous material, but to anyone who knows even the slightest bit of information on Elizabeth must realize that these aspects were primary in her life.
The second plot including Elizabeth's ancestor was fascinating as well, Codrescu writes beautifully. This book is impossible to put down and humanizing Elizabeth. A good read all around.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Glad I didn't pay full price...
Comment: I bought this book because I'm interested in the fact and mythos of the Countess Bathory. To be sure, I did expect a highly-colored fictionalized historical account, but not this...
I kept reading long before I should have, mostly because I was expecting a Major Event in the conclusion of the (ultimately unnecessary) modern plotline. I should've followed my first urge and put it down -- it seems like the author couldn't decide how to end the book, and so he just ended it. A lot of side plots were left dangling with no real resolution, and I'm unsure whether this is a case of sloppy narrative or the author trying to convince his publisher to pay for a sequel.
The historical plotline wasn't too bad in comparison, but not lacking in its own issues. Without being too graphic, it's painfully obvious that the author has never experienced some of the more extreme sex acts he writes about. Overall, this story reads less like a historical fiction and more like an extended dance remix of the author's personal fantasy.
Blood Countess would have been a more credible tale if the first line had begun, "Dear Penthouse, I never thought this would happen to me..."
Customer Rating:
Summary: High Brow and Captivating
Comment: I received this book as a gift from a friend who happens also to be an "important" author. He said to me "if you never read another book you must read this one" Wow, I thought to myself this guy is an amazing (and very successful) author himself and he's touting a book to me at a level of excitement I'd have thought would only be reserved for his own masterwork! I began reading. It seemed a little slow at first but I soon found that I could not put it down. On chapter 3 the talons had a firm grasp and I felt like I was then and there an eye witness or "fly on the wall" as the story unfolded. I was transported to and fro in time sharing the driver's seat with the narrator. I felt love, fear and disgust all the while longing for more. This book is a drug and Andrei Codrescu is a brilliant pusher. His style comes accross as underground and rebellious as compared to other writers of the horror genre. Frankly, I personally wouldn't classify this as horror but rather historical fictional romance that just so happens to have a feared villianess at the helm. I've read some of the other reviews and yes, if you are moved by mass appeal mush and don't enjoy high brow metaphor or having to challenge yourself with unique vocabulary then this book is not for you. If you are a N.P.R. listener who has heard the author's narratives and believe this book may be in line then you may also be disappointed. If on the other hand you are someone like me who very selectively reads about a book a month, enjoys a fine wine, understands and appreciates the difference between HBO and IFC this may be right up your alley.
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