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A review by yasminar
Broken April by Ismail Kadare
2.0
I did not like this book. I'm not sure if it's the fact that I have to read this for class, or that I've been reading YA fantasy non-stop so historical fiction is a sudden departure from the action and drama-filled pages that I'm used to.
What I did like from this book:
• The setting, and what I learned about Albania. This book is set in Albania where the people follow the laws of the Kanun, a sort of holy book not dissimilar to the Quran or Bible. They have super weird blood feudal laws. Gjorg, the main character, kills the murderer of his relative (because he legally has to) and then he goes on a trip to pay the blood tax. He has 30 days before he is legally allowed to be killed. He won’t get to see the month of April end, hence the title Broken April. I loved that this book exposed me to this concept and setting, and I truly do appreciate what I learned about Albania.
What I didn’t like:
• Pacing. Though the setting was great, this book was so slow. The world building was done in steps, which isn't necessarily bad. I loved the way the author drops into the concept of the world as things happened, but I think that setting the staked higher earlier in the book would've created more anticipation for Gjorg because as a character... he was dull. I'm not sure if this is deliberate to represent the fleeting moments left of Gjorg's life during the truce. If it is, then I think it's a great symbolism but for reading purposes, I didn't enjoy it.
• The relationship between the characters. Bear in mind, I thought this book was boring so I might've missed the hints or completely forgot an entire section, but I'm pretty sure their relationship was not developed at all. I don't know why she was so drawn to him, or whether it's romantic, platonic? I needed to know more to empathize because I just couldn't.
• No character development / not enough substance to the characters. Maybe this story is intended to be more about the Albanian customs rather than characters, in which case it makes sense that the characters weren't very well developed.
I feel like if I read this any other time (i.e. not after I just binge-read two YA fantasy series), I would've like it better. idk i might reread it
What I did like from this book:
• The setting, and what I learned about Albania. This book is set in Albania where the people follow the laws of the Kanun, a sort of holy book not dissimilar to the Quran or Bible. They have super weird blood feudal laws. Gjorg, the main character, kills the murderer of his relative (because he legally has to) and then he goes on a trip to pay the blood tax. He has 30 days before he is legally allowed to be killed. He won’t get to see the month of April end, hence the title Broken April. I loved that this book exposed me to this concept and setting, and I truly do appreciate what I learned about Albania.
What I didn’t like:
• Pacing. Though the setting was great, this book was so slow. The world building was done in steps, which isn't necessarily bad. I loved the way the author drops into the concept of the world as things happened, but I think that setting the staked higher earlier in the book would've created more anticipation for Gjorg because as a character... he was dull. I'm not sure if this is deliberate to represent the fleeting moments left of Gjorg's life during the truce. If it is, then I think it's a great symbolism but for reading purposes, I didn't enjoy it.
• The relationship between the characters.
Spoiler
I honestly do not understand the connection between Diana and Gjorg.• No character development / not enough substance to the characters. Maybe this story is intended to be more about the Albanian customs rather than characters, in which case it makes sense that the characters weren't very well developed.
Spoiler
I wish we had more of what was going on in Diana's mind because I couldn't understand her motivations or why she went into the Tower of Refuge at the end.I feel like if I read this any other time (i.e. not after I just binge-read two YA fantasy series), I would've like it better. idk i might reread it