My, my. I admit I snobbishly scoffed when it first came out (although I do profess to love the original cover), but a recent perusal on an Audible.com sale swung my way with this Abe Lincoln story available and I thought I'd take a chance. I couldn't believe I would finish it quickly and love every second. I never should have bypassed this when it first came out.
When an unexpected and mysterious visitor arrives late one night, the fictional version of our real-life author, Seth Grahame-Smith is allowed to review the secret journals of Abraham Lincoln. Told in a combined historical discussion of studious research, along with Abraham Lincoln's personal diaries, the story of Lincoln learning the truth of vampires after his mother is killed is riveting and suspenseful, and just a teensy bit creepy. His vengeful motivation to rid the earth of the scourge of vampires is tempered by the reality of his vampire friend, Henry, who reminds him that Abe should in fact, "not treat them equally" as one is not the same as the next.
I was surprised by this adventurous tale. After the recent audio book flop I experienced, this picked up my mood considerably. I loved the connections of the real Lincoln moments in history with the tangled tale of vampire-hunting. Quite frankly, I can't wait to see the film.
If you're a hard-core Abraham Lincoln historian, then it goes without saying that you should just enjoy the story and not take it too seriously. It's a well-written and absorbing ride through Abe's life and while I'm no expert, the events that I was acquainted with seemed to ring nicely with the imaginative fiction tale set forth by the author.
This was fun, it was occasionally creepy with some good background music in between a chapter or two, and I was surprised I enjoyed it as much as I did. I'm looking forward to Pride and Prejudice and Zombies coming up soon in my audio library.
Audio Notes: The narrator, Scott Holst, was absolutely fantastic. I've never listened to his voice before, and while the change between the "author's" voice and Abraham Lincoln's wasn't that different, it worked for me and I had fun with the entire production. I'm interested to listen to more from him. Click here for the Audible.com sample.
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Release Date: 03/02/10
Audio Time: 10 hours, 18 minutes
Narrator: Scott Holst
About the Author
Seth Grahame-Smith is an American author of the best-selling books Pride and Prejudice and Zombies and Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter which has been released into a film. He currently lives in Los Angeles with his wife and son.
When an unexpected and mysterious visitor arrives late one night, the fictional version of our real-life author, Seth Grahame-Smith is allowed to review the secret journals of Abraham Lincoln. Told in a combined historical discussion of studious research, along with Abraham Lincoln's personal diaries, the story of Lincoln learning the truth of vampires after his mother is killed is riveting and suspenseful, and just a teensy bit creepy. His vengeful motivation to rid the earth of the scourge of vampires is tempered by the reality of his vampire friend, Henry, who reminds him that Abe should in fact, "not treat them equally" as one is not the same as the next.
I was surprised by this adventurous tale. After the recent audio book flop I experienced, this picked up my mood considerably. I loved the connections of the real Lincoln moments in history with the tangled tale of vampire-hunting. Quite frankly, I can't wait to see the film.
If you're a hard-core Abraham Lincoln historian, then it goes without saying that you should just enjoy the story and not take it too seriously. It's a well-written and absorbing ride through Abe's life and while I'm no expert, the events that I was acquainted with seemed to ring nicely with the imaginative fiction tale set forth by the author.
This was fun, it was occasionally creepy with some good background music in between a chapter or two, and I was surprised I enjoyed it as much as I did. I'm looking forward to Pride and Prejudice and Zombies coming up soon in my audio library.
Audio Notes: The narrator, Scott Holst, was absolutely fantastic. I've never listened to his voice before, and while the change between the "author's" voice and Abraham Lincoln's wasn't that different, it worked for me and I had fun with the entire production. I'm interested to listen to more from him. Click here for the Audible.com sample.
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Release Date: 03/02/10
Audio Time: 10 hours, 18 minutes
Narrator: Scott Holst
About the Author
I really don't think this is for me but I'm glad you enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteI too was also quite surprised by how much I liked this book. Definitely not what I was expecting... it delivered much more! Glad to read someone felt the same way.
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds so intriguing and fun, but I hated Pride and Prejudice and Zombies with an intense passion so I'm scared to start this one! You make it sound so worth my while though!
ReplyDeleteI can't say that I loved this one but it was an interesting take and I think it grew on me in the end. :) I even ending up loaning it out. I'm looking forward to seeing the movie now too since it seems like a perfect movie idea!
ReplyDeleteI have this in my audible library! It's next up on my listening schedule after I finish Reamde. I read Pride and Prejudice and Zombies a couple years ago and I LOVED IT!!!! So fun! Seth Grahame-Smith is a hoot!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you reviewed this one!! I too had stuck my nose up when I saw it on bookshelves...I'll give it a try based on your review :)
ReplyDeleteI failed with Pride & Prejudice & Zombies, so I've steered clear of the rest of the genre.I'm glad you're having fun with them, though!
ReplyDeleteI think I need to check this one out on audio.
ReplyDeleteI'm dying to read this one -- I loved Queen Elizabeth, Demon Hunter (by a different author, but similar genre, I suspect) -- and I want to read this one well before the movie.
ReplyDeleteI must admit that the title of this book made me feel scornful, but your review has me intrigued. You make it sound like something I'd enjoy as well, which is, of course, one of the reasons we're friends. :)
ReplyDeleteI too had stuck my nose up at this one, but my boyfriend read it and loved it - and since you have enjoyed the audio, I will probably pursue it in that manner. I did very much enjoy the movie though- I thought it looked visually fantastic!
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