Life

Blue Ridge Bookfest to honor 40 authors

By Renee Kumor, Published: April 26, 2012

Elizabeth Kostova, the author of The Historian and The Swan Thieves, will headline the Blue Ridge Bookfest Friday and Saturday.

Kostova's book The Historian, her first novel, debuted to wide critical acclaim. Lev Grossman writing in Time said the novel was "[s]tuffed with rich, incense-laden cultural history and travelogue" and was "a smart, bibliophilic mystery." She followed tht up with The Swan Thieves, which also received critical acclaim. M. L. Johnson of the Associated Press described the novel as "stunning . . . a beautifully written tale of art, love, and an obsession triggered by both."
As the 2012 Honoree, Elizabeth Kostova will be honored at 6:30 on Friday evening, May 18, immediately after the Bookfest's opening reception. Rob Neufeld will emcee a discussion with Kostova about her novels and experiences as a writer at that time. Readers who can't make it to these events on Friday are encouraged to attend a second talk by Ms. Kostova on Saturday, afternoon at 1 p.m. Both her vivid prose and her ties to the area make this a do not miss event.
During the two-day event, over forty authors will make presentations, meet readers, and autograph books.

Information: www.blueridgebookfest.org.