Vlad: The Last Confession by C.C. Humphreys
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Title: Vlad: The Last Confession
Author: C.C. Humphreys
Published: September 25th 2008
Publisher: McArthur Publishing
Pages: 366
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Dracula. A name of horror, depravity and the darkest sensuality. Yet the real Dracula was just as alluring, just as terrifying, his tale not one of a monster but of a man... and a contradiction.
His tale is told by those who knew him best. The only woman he ever loved...and whom he had to sacrifice. His closest comrade...and traitor. And his priest, betraying the secrets of the confessional to reveal the mind of the man history would forever remember as The Impaler. This is the story of the man behind the legend...as it has never been told before.
My Review:
In torment, there was release.
In the darkness, there was light.
In solitude, there were companions.
C.C. Humphreys uses his novel to delve into the life of the real Dracula; the man who has come down through history as Vlad the Impaler. A real man with a story, and not a vampire from Transylvania, the myth that has become more famous than the real man.
Known as Vlad the Impaler, Dracul’s life beginning with his childhood as a “guest” of Murad where he was taught the way of the Koran and the Turk. It moves through his life and loves and shows the whys of his actions. It’s full of battles, politics, and romance. There are Crusaders, castles, Turks and actual historical events.
The book is set up interestingly; it brings together the three people who knew Vlad best in a tribunal to tell his tale. To show how his life played out to see if his excesses could be forgiven. To see if they could repair his reputation. His best friend and right-hand man throughout life, his love and his confessor. Each individual adds detail to the story that could only have been provided by someone present during the narrated events. Each provides insight into Vlad’s humanity and into the motive for the inhuman actions he took toward his enemies.
The author does a superb job of dealing with the horror of a man who impaled up to 100,000 people and yet making him still seem somewhat human. Mad, yes but human all the same. A ruler who is principled but brutal, wise in the things of the Turks but strong and daring in his determined fights against them. He is a hero and tyrant, salvation and destroyer, a devoted but brutal lover. He inspires sympathy for his cruel suffering among the Turks, his losses among family and friends. Yet, it is impossible to ignore the consequences of his savagery and the impact upon those who love and know him best.
Mr. Humphreys writes compellingly that brings the character and time to life and even though you want to turn away you also want to know more. There is enough intrigue to keep the reader guessing; enough excitement to keep the reader interested; and enough doubt to make the reader ask whether, under the same conditions, whether he might have acted or reacted as Vlad did.
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