Scan barcode
solasuaine's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Genocide, War, Death, and Child death
amy_park's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
4.0
Vivid in colour and in story, this book doesn't shy away from the horror of war and living under seige. Spanning across a year from the beginning of the seige in Sarajevo during the early 1990s, the book follows Zora (and her neighbours) and her choice to stay in her beloved city whilst her family lives/move to England. The language was very immersive, I loved the use of colour throughout as Zora is an artist. Paintings and imagery of bridges centered the novel away from the catastrophy of war. I felt this book tried to explore alot in 270-ish pages, and I didn't feel as connected with the characters as I had hoped. especiallly with the love storyline, i felt it was very abrupt towards the end and maybe a device from the author for Zora to yurn for Sarajevo after leaving, as she has nothing else to draw her back I did overall like the book and I discovered a part of history that I wasn't aware of before. It sparked my interest to learn more about Yugoslavian history.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Abandonment, Confinement, Genocide, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, and War
literaryscouser's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This book excellently explores the war in Sarajevo. It is handled with great delicately and empathy. This story is one of dispare, hope, war, freedom, trials and overcoming them. Overall a beautiful book that reveals the harsh reality of trying to flee, not just a war zone, but your home to be reunited with your family while exploring the deep connections with the people around you, who are living through the same trauma.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Child death, Violence, Death, and Gun violence
Moderate: Racism, Deportation, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Rape
More...