Scan barcode
peacewillfollow's review
5.0
"In 1945, we told the world, 'Never again.' In 1992, we forgot our promise." This is a direct quote from the blurb inside the book jacket of this book. I went into reading this book knowing that the subject matter would be difficult, but I wasn't prepared for just how difficult it truly was. This book is devastatingly sad and horrifying. It is a graphic novel account of one family's struggle to survive in Sarajevo during the siege in the 1990s, based on faxes that the father was able to send to the author of this book. With some minor liberties taken, this story is true. There were several points where I rested the book down by my side and wept for the atrocities that took place. There were several points where I felt nauseous and disturbed to my core. And yet, I am grateful that I made it through this book. It was my first foray into fact-based fiction about the siege in Sarajevo (though not my last, as I plan on reading much more on the subject), and it opened my eyes to a time in history that never should have been. No one should EVER have to suffer through what these people did, and perhaps if more people were awakened to these horrors, they would want to turn things around in this world so that this never happens again. I truly pray- never again.
pivic's review
2.0
This memoir deals with how a comics writer dealt with living in Sarajevo, Bosnia, during the war in—and invasion of—former Yugoslavia.
His family is, like the rest of the population of Sarajevo, under constant attacks which are perpetrated by Serbs. Say what you want about the war and invasion, but the Serbs are The Evil.
I've no qualms with somebody recanting their story. I mean, this story is theirs both in what I surmise is their truths and their memory. The main problem I have with this book is that the author has written a story that is so filled with minimalistic constant that it is extremely hard to digest.
An example: a father gets ready to go buy bread for his family. He kisses his wife. He kisses his kids. He says goodbye to a micro utopia. He leaves his family's home for his city square. The city square is bombed to shreds by Serb and the man dies. The family is displayed in tatters, crying, with an outro text saying 'war is Hell'.
Next story: an old man gets ready to leave his home to get food from a UN truck. He envisages freedom, daydreams a Serb-free existence where they are not, for Serbs are Evil. The man walks out and sees the UN truck. Serb-infested arms explode into combat, repelling the UN troops while killing the poor old man. An outro text says 'Beware of Evil Serbs!'.
OK, the examples are made by me, not to invoke pity—I'm of Serbian heritage—but to emphasise that the book should have been edited a lot harder to make it breathe. The entire book is filled with utterly horrible stories but the style is ultimately what ruins this book. I fully accept the contents of the book and absolutely agree that Serbs committed atrocities during the civil war. The style of this book drips of pity-invoking scenes that, early on, invites antipathy; it's a shame, for this story could have been wondrously told.
The illustrations are old-school US-style: sharp imagery of the old biff-boom-bang style abound. No nuance, all contrast.
I wish this book had been tightly edited to highlight tension and make it nuanced; even though war can be one-sided, this book is, simply put, far too simple to engage me and think it's a human experience that's not absolutely lopsided.
PS. The atrocities committed by NATO, the USA, the UN, Croatia, and even Bosnia, aren't in this book.
His family is, like the rest of the population of Sarajevo, under constant attacks which are perpetrated by Serbs. Say what you want about the war and invasion, but the Serbs are The Evil.
I've no qualms with somebody recanting their story. I mean, this story is theirs both in what I surmise is their truths and their memory. The main problem I have with this book is that the author has written a story that is so filled with minimalistic constant that it is extremely hard to digest.
An example: a father gets ready to go buy bread for his family. He kisses his wife. He kisses his kids. He says goodbye to a micro utopia. He leaves his family's home for his city square. The city square is bombed to shreds by Serb and the man dies. The family is displayed in tatters, crying, with an outro text saying 'war is Hell'.
Next story: an old man gets ready to leave his home to get food from a UN truck. He envisages freedom, daydreams a Serb-free existence where they are not, for Serbs are Evil. The man walks out and sees the UN truck. Serb-infested arms explode into combat, repelling the UN troops while killing the poor old man. An outro text says 'Beware of Evil Serbs!'.
OK, the examples are made by me, not to invoke pity—I'm of Serbian heritage—but to emphasise that the book should have been edited a lot harder to make it breathe. The entire book is filled with utterly horrible stories but the style is ultimately what ruins this book. I fully accept the contents of the book and absolutely agree that Serbs committed atrocities during the civil war. The style of this book drips of pity-invoking scenes that, early on, invites antipathy; it's a shame, for this story could have been wondrously told.
The illustrations are old-school US-style: sharp imagery of the old biff-boom-bang style abound. No nuance, all contrast.
I wish this book had been tightly edited to highlight tension and make it nuanced; even though war can be one-sided, this book is, simply put, far too simple to engage me and think it's a human experience that's not absolutely lopsided.
PS. The atrocities committed by NATO, the USA, the UN, Croatia, and even Bosnia, aren't in this book.
More...