It sounds incredible, and I'm adding it to my TBR list. Over the past few years I've developed a real fondness for the literature from the Balkans and general area -- Croatia, Serbia, Slovenia, etc. Their subjects, memory, remembrance, alienation, a longing for a past time, laying bare the scars of past inhumanities and suffering -- deeply serious and moving. I find their literature quite unique and compelling. Thanks for the review.
Thanks for watching! I've also been getting into "Balkan" literature recently for many of the same reasons. I'm looking forward to getting back into Miljenko Jergović's KIN as he explores all of these themes on a grand scale. Do you have any other specific recommendations for authors who explore these themes? If you ever need recommendations, there was a very kind comment on my video about 13 "big" books I want to read by a guy named Balša who wrote out a wonderful list of recommendations for ex-Yugoslavian lit.
@@travelthroughstories I've added 'Kin' to my list as well. Recently have read Miroslav Krleža - On the Edge of Reason, Ranko Marinković - Cyclops, and of course Daša Drndić. I will check out that list of recommendations.
Great to see this getting positive reviews from English readers. This was one of my favourite reads the year it came out. I've been harping on about it for a while, waiting eagerly for the English translation, so I could push it onto people's hands. I still have to read his backlist, incl. Before the Feast - if you're up for a bilingual buddyread, I'd love to do that.
It's so good! I'd be really interested to do a buddy-read with Before the Feast. I've heard that that book has a lot of localized German references/allusions that make it difficult for non-Germans to fully understand, so a buddy-read with you would probably really help me!
I believe I got a copy of Before The Feast several years ago from Tin House (being in Portland has its benefits!) but have yet to get to it! First time seeing here on Booktube...and meeting you! New sub 😊
I've never heard of this novel, but Damion Searls is absolutely stunning in translation. I'm reading Anniversaries right now and have Fosse queued up for this year. I'm in
I'm really looking forward to going back and reading his earlier works. Before the Feast looks especially interesting (and the American edition just has a lovely cover!).
You don’t love the Choose Your Own Adventure structure? Just joking. I wouldn’t have expected that approach in a book like this. This sounds like such a unique book and I love what you had to say about the exploration of cultural memory. It’s also such a great title. Great analysis!
Hah! To be fair, I haven't read enough choose your own adventure to make a call. The themes of exile, cultural memory, identity, etc were really effectively explored! Agreed on the title being wonderful. Thanks, Johanna!
Huh, that sounds really neat. Have to roll the dice and see if the library has it lol I have The Wandering by Intan Paramaditha, which Is a choose your own adventure type thing as well. Looking forward to that.
The Wandering looks really interesting. To be honest, I can't remember the last choose your own adventure book that I read - I suppose I should give it more of a chance before claiming to dislike it. I just can't really see it being *too* effective in a book, though video games, obviously, excel at it, so perhaps it could be an effective structure in the right hands. I'll check out the Paramaditha!
@@travelthroughstories I’m hoping The Wandering will be good. I don’t like the idea, for some reason. I usually like more subjectivity, but putting the onus on me to construct a good narrative feels weird. And even in video games, it feels perfunctory usually. Like all Tell Tale games or Life is Strange, every choice is mostly arbitrary.
@@SpringboardThought great points - that's exactly the feeling I get. It's the illusion of control and I'm not sure why then to even use the form. In this book I think it's supposed to mirror a kid's book in a lot of ways, so it makes thematic sense, but the actual structure doesn't add too much to the plot.
You might like Danilo Kis's Tomb for Boris Davidovich. Theres an old series I like from Penguin, writers from the other europe, translations of eastern bloc writers, several yugoslavian writers
It sounds incredible, and I'm adding it to my TBR list. Over the past few years I've developed a real fondness for the literature from the Balkans and general area -- Croatia, Serbia, Slovenia, etc. Their subjects, memory, remembrance, alienation, a longing for a past time, laying bare the scars of past inhumanities and suffering -- deeply serious and moving. I find their literature quite unique and compelling. Thanks for the review.
Thanks for watching! I've also been getting into "Balkan" literature recently for many of the same reasons. I'm looking forward to getting back into Miljenko Jergović's KIN as he explores all of these themes on a grand scale. Do you have any other specific recommendations for authors who explore these themes? If you ever need recommendations, there was a very kind comment on my video about 13 "big" books I want to read by a guy named Balša who wrote out a wonderful list of recommendations for ex-Yugoslavian lit.
@@travelthroughstories I've added 'Kin' to my list as well. Recently have read Miroslav Krleža - On the Edge of Reason, Ranko Marinković - Cyclops, and of course Daša Drndić. I will check out that list of recommendations.
@@makebelievestunt Thanks for the recommendations! I also can't wait to read more Drndić - I'm hoping to get to Trieste within the next month or so.
@@travelthroughstories Aleksandar Hemon
Loved your description of this book, Shawn.
Thank you for watching!
@@travelthroughstories you're welcome
Great to see this getting positive reviews from English readers. This was one of my favourite reads the year it came out. I've been harping on about it for a while, waiting eagerly for the English translation, so I could push it onto people's hands.
I still have to read his backlist, incl. Before the Feast - if you're up for a bilingual buddyread, I'd love to do that.
It's so good! I'd be really interested to do a buddy-read with Before the Feast. I've heard that that book has a lot of localized German references/allusions that make it difficult for non-Germans to fully understand, so a buddy-read with you would probably really help me!
Thanks for keeping my company as I ate a quick snack lol. Didn't realize Searls translated from anything other than German. Very nice!
I'm glad I could keep you company on your break! It's quite impressive how widely Damion Searls has translated.
Great review, Sean, I can’t wait to read this book.
Have a wonderful weekend 😊
Thank you, Silje! Enjoy the weekend!
I believe I got a copy of Before The Feast several years ago from Tin House (being in Portland has its benefits!) but have yet to get to it! First time seeing here on Booktube...and meeting you! New sub 😊
Interesting! That one seems to be his most popular, at least in English. I'm looking forward to getting to it soon. Thanks, Margaret!
I've never heard of this novel, but Damion Searls is absolutely stunning in translation. I'm reading Anniversaries right now and have Fosse queued up for this year. I'm in
Searls is excellent! It's always good to know you're in good hands with the translator.
I love the other two books I’ve read by the author! Can’t wait for this…
I'm really looking forward to going back and reading his earlier works. Before the Feast looks especially interesting (and the American edition just has a lovely cover!).
You don’t love the Choose Your Own Adventure structure? Just joking. I wouldn’t have expected that approach in a book like this. This sounds like such a unique book and I love what you had to say about the exploration of cultural memory. It’s also such a great title. Great analysis!
Hah! To be fair, I haven't read enough choose your own adventure to make a call. The themes of exile, cultural memory, identity, etc were really effectively explored! Agreed on the title being wonderful. Thanks, Johanna!
Huh, that sounds really neat. Have to roll the dice and see if the library has it lol I have The Wandering by Intan Paramaditha, which Is a choose your own adventure type thing as well. Looking forward to that.
The Wandering looks really interesting. To be honest, I can't remember the last choose your own adventure book that I read - I suppose I should give it more of a chance before claiming to dislike it. I just can't really see it being *too* effective in a book, though video games, obviously, excel at it, so perhaps it could be an effective structure in the right hands. I'll check out the Paramaditha!
@@travelthroughstories I’m hoping The Wandering will be good. I don’t like the idea, for some reason. I usually like more subjectivity, but putting the onus on me to construct a good narrative feels weird. And even in video games, it feels perfunctory usually. Like all Tell Tale games or Life is Strange, every choice is mostly arbitrary.
@@SpringboardThought great points - that's exactly the feeling I get. It's the illusion of control and I'm not sure why then to even use the form. In this book I think it's supposed to mirror a kid's book in a lot of ways, so it makes thematic sense, but the actual structure doesn't add too much to the plot.
You might like Danilo Kis's Tomb for Boris Davidovich. Theres an old series I like from Penguin, writers from the other europe, translations of eastern bloc writers, several yugoslavian writers
This sounds wonderful - thank you!!