Wars have always ripped asunder the lives of the common people .Most wars in history are an outcome of the wanton ambitions of a few , strange delusions of many and the helplessness of the majority .The West remained a disinterested witness to the conflict of the Balkans ( the Kosovo Crisis , The Seige of Sarajevo , The genocide and ethnic cleansing of Bosnian Moslems ) despite the untold sufferings and the horror stories that emerged from the region . It was for this sole reason that I picked up this book to read . And Ayse Kulin did not disappoint !The Book was an intensely emotional experience for me .
The story revolves around the Lives of Nimeta , her husband Burhan , her kids , and her lover Stephan . It is difficult to not feel a connection to Nimeta as her orderly life falls into disarray because of the war ,the impossible love affair that she has with Stephan , a fellow journalist and the effort to maintain the semblance of normalcy for the kids . Though flawed , she fights with all she has to salvage her family . Shackled by the love and sense of duty towards her family , her turmoil is in some ways a microcosm of the external turmoil .
Ayse Kulin has meticulously researched the history of the region and the details shine through in the book . The author has also included some bits of history as well that set the political stage for the later events .For those readers who are not familiar with the politics / political readers of those troubled times , the first part of the book may seem like a lesson in non-fiction . But the chilling part is that most it is true . What also stood out in the second part is the altering of the multiethnic, multicultural ,socio-religious tapestry of the region . There has been a good attempt to document the almost clinical approach of the Serbs to annihilate the Bosnian Moslems . The gruesome details of the rape camps , the work camps , the genocide and the mass graves are a true representation and bring home the horrific tragedy that unfolded in the region .
The second part is gripping and keeps the reader hooked . The end though is a little disappointing and abrupt . However I decided to overlook that little letdown in favor of the rest .
The writing style is impeccable and endears the author to the readers .
I must also make mention of the title here “Rose of Sarajevo” . This actually is used to refer to the red resin filled scars of mortar shells on concrete . When mortar shells fall on concrete , they tend to form a unique pattern that resembles a floral arrangement . When filled with red resin , it looks like a rose . Hence the name “Rose of Sarajevo” .
Recommend it highly .
This Post contains affiliate links .if you make a purchase through this link I’ll make a small commission at no extra cost to you.Thanks so much for your support.
The review sounds interesting!
LikeLike
Ya it’s a good book and the only one that I have read in all these years that talks about the Balkans crisis !!
LikeLike