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glenn_rulz's review
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
5.0
Best book I've read so far, highly recommend
dishaverde's review against another edition
5.0
Stunning, inspirational true story. The shift in perspectives between the sisters is very well done and gives an additional understanding of the realities of war for those who leave and those who stay. The stregnth of the family shines through. The siege of Sarajevo should not be forgotten, and this book delivers the historical story as well as hope for the future.
havdic's review against another edition
4.0
A great book for those who aren't aware nor educated about the Bosnian genocide(s) in the 90s. It's a remarkable story; it really is about courage, love, and survival, and I think everyone should read it.
The thing is, though, the writing is very flat, and there are minor grammatical errors. I understand that going into great detail about emotions, whether pertaining to physical injury or emotional and/or mental injury, within a setting such as a war, but this book lacks detail in emotion. There isn't much to connect to with Atka and Hana. When you have a story as powerful as this one, you really want and should need for the reader to connect and feel for the characters. Bring them to life!
Apart from that, one thing that really bothered me about this novel/story was/is that it lacks in significance of religion. It was one of the MAIN reasons the genocides/war even happened. The Serbs planned and attacked the Bosnian/Bosnian-Muslim population to exterminate them because of their religion. As a Bosnian-Muslim myself, who was born during the war and whose family survived it, the fact that Atka nor Hana hadn't mentioned anything about Islam nor their Muslim surnames irritated and infuriated me. I just don't understand why they never mentioned their Muslim last name? Nor their mother's Muslim name? Were they ashamed? Are they? I understand that not everyone is religious, and that it isn't always necessary to talk about or bring up religion when it isn't needed, but in the case of a story like this, whose roots are so heavily tied in religion, how do you just sugar coat over that part?
I don't know. But this book has taught me a lot on how to go about my own novel on the Bosnian war.
The thing is, though, the writing is very flat, and there are minor grammatical errors. I understand that going into great detail about emotions, whether pertaining to physical injury or emotional and/or mental injury, within a setting such as a war, but this book lacks detail in emotion. There isn't much to connect to with Atka and Hana. When you have a story as powerful as this one, you really want and should need for the reader to connect and feel for the characters. Bring them to life!
Apart from that, one thing that really bothered me about this novel/story was/is that it lacks in significance of religion. It was one of the MAIN reasons the genocides/war even happened. The Serbs planned and attacked the Bosnian/Bosnian-Muslim population to exterminate them because of their religion. As a Bosnian-Muslim myself, who was born during the war and whose family survived it, the fact that Atka nor Hana hadn't mentioned anything about Islam nor their Muslim surnames irritated and infuriated me. I just don't understand why they never mentioned their Muslim last name? Nor their mother's Muslim name? Were they ashamed? Are they? I understand that not everyone is religious, and that it isn't always necessary to talk about or bring up religion when it isn't needed, but in the case of a story like this, whose roots are so heavily tied in religion, how do you just sugar coat over that part?
I don't know. But this book has taught me a lot on how to go about my own novel on the Bosnian war.
kiwikazz's review against another edition
4.0
Beautiful story about survival and family. It's lovely that NZ got involved and helped.
thatonewhoreads's review against another edition
5.0
the book is amazing I loved every page from start to finish. I loved reading this book because it explores what war is from a child's perspective, being myself from Bosnia it is amazing to read something so well written and so entertaining at the same time. I loved the book because it solely doesn't focus on the war, yes it a theme of the story but the same time there are other stories going on and it takes away the focus of the war. another thing I adored from the book is the fact there is Bosnian humour and I loved that!!!! both authors should feel proud of there work because it is a true masterpiece (cliche i know but i loved this book so much) i take my hat off to both them!
leavingsealevel's review against another edition
4.0
Amazing, very moving true story...possibly somewhat more powerful for having read it in Sarajevo, but a powerful book no matter what. Along with the wartime experiences of the two authors, there is a decent amount of history and background on the war (sometimes hard to do in a memoir). Because this is primarily a memoir though, I think it would be best to read it after knowing at least some of the basics about the conflict (no, I don't have a rec...there were a couple of good chapters in [b:Postwar|29658|Postwar A History of Europe Since 1945|Tony Judt|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1309284595s/29658.jpg|1979891] though).
rebzreads100's review against another edition
5.0
Having just visited Bosnia, this book gave me more insight into two more personal stories. I’m glad that they were able to escape to safety in the end.
booksbecreads's review against another edition
3.0
3.5
Started this on the 25th year after the Srebrenica massacre, this covers the life living under siege in Sarajevo
Started this on the 25th year after the Srebrenica massacre, this covers the life living under siege in Sarajevo
kannbrackett's review against another edition
5.0
I read this when I was in Sarajevo, which helped me appreciate learning the history of the city even more. This book is fascinating and definitely worth your time. It gives you a story to follow as you learn about the history of Sarajevo.