NOMINATING LIBRARY COMMENTS

This masterpiece engrossingly tells the touching love story between Pinto and Osman, who meet in the Austro-Hungarian army during the First World War. Multilingual and polyphonic, the novel also takes us through the history of the 20th century, from Sarajevo to Tashkent, Shanghai and Jerusalem. Our library system has a branch library specialized in Eastern European Studies. (University Library of Berne). This epic historical novel takes readers on a mesmerizing journey through time and space, offering a profound exploration of identity, love, language, and the enduring impact of war and displacement on ordinary lives. Set against the backdrop of pre-World War I Sarajevo, the novel vividly captures the multicultural tapestry of the city and its people, delving into the delicate and taboo topic of homosexual love of that era. Hemon’s rich prose skillfully navigates through the complexities of human emotions and relationships. The novel’s non-linear narrative, interspersed with memories, hallucinations, and fables, invites readers to engage in an intellectual and emotional journey, one that demands introspection and contemplation. (Ljubljana City Library)