Genre: Literary Fiction, Historical Fiction
Author: Dino Bauk
Translator: Timothy Pogacar
Year Published: 2015
TWs: war, death
Rating: 3/5
The Balkan wars and the breakup of Yugoslavia aren’t topics I’ve explored much in fiction. I knew about them in a historical sense, but I was curious about how a novel would bring that period to life. When I came across this book, by a Slovenian writer and lawyer, I decided to give it a shot. It was definitely a cool read so let’s get into it!
Synopsis (spoiler-free, always)
Set in the late 1980s and early 1990s, this book follows Denis Goran, and Peter, three teenagers who are obsessed with music, books, and just having fun. They’re growing up in Slovenia, which is about to separate peacefully from Yugoslavia. But Denis’s family isn’t originally from Slovenia, and during a random police check, he gets caught and deported. Instead of studying art and reading books, he’s suddenly thrown into a war he never asked to be part of.
Years later, the book jumps between different perspectives. There’s Mary, an American ex-Mormon who had a brief fling with Denis and is now trying to find out what happened to him. There’s also Goran and Peter, who are stuck in boring, disappointing lives, writing imaginary letters to Denis, wondering if he’s even still alive.
“They were all just longer or shorter stops on the road that wound from uncontrolled thirsting for freedom, via aimless rambling and searching, to yet another destination.”
My Thoughts
At first, this book might seem a bit cliché. Teenagers who love rock music? That’s been done a million times. But as I kept reading, it moved away from the usual stereotypes. Denis’s story, in particular, had a lot of depth. Watching him go from a carefree teenager to a soldier in war was jarring but also a reminder of how quickly life can change. There’s one chapter where he hides in a library, trying to save books from rain while war rages on outside. It was one of the most memorable parts of the book and my personal favourite.
I really liked how the book captured the spirit of the late 80s and early 90s. There were references to rock bands like EKV and Azra, that I had never heard before but I’m now excited to maybe listen to some of their work. Another thing i really liked was the way it played with memory. It’s not told in a straightforward way. Some parts feel like letters, some like recorded messages, and some like scattered memories. It makes the whole thing feel more real to me.
That being said, the book felt a little messy at times. The non-linear storytelling was cool, but sometimes it was hard to follow. I usually try to stay away from books that jump timelines for this reason but I will say the technique was used decently well in this one.
Overall, this was a fun read and if you’re looking to learn more about the Balkans, I would definitely give this one a try!
Happy Reading!
About the Author
Dino Bauk is a Slovenian writer and former lawyer. His debut novel The End. And Again won the Best Debut Award at the Slovenian Book Fair and was longlisted for the Kresnik Award for best novel of the year. He has also written short stories and columns in Slovenian newspapers.
Find more on his Goodreads!
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