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A review by sve100
Stork Mountain by Miroslav Penkov
3.0
I was curuious to read Penkov's second book, after the well celebrated 'East of the west'. I wanted to read the English version as I was wondering why someone would chose to write in a language other than their native one.
My opinion of Penkov's writing was confirmed - his style is beautiful and well- polished, embelished with attractive words that, I am sure, does the job of impressing the average reader. Yet, this writing feels too much like a college paper, graded with an A, rather than a piece that is deeply heartfelt.
That, however, is not the main problem in this book. "Stork Mountain" simply doesn't tell a convincing story. A grown-up boy coming back to meet his grandpa, reconnect with his past...a great start...but then comes all the nestinari/storks/communism/heartbreak pieces. It seems the author tried to do a puzzle but somehow the pieces didn't fit, at least for me.
I do not know how much time Penkov spent researching on the book and talking to local people in Strandja, but at times it feels that he just sat and wrote the book without his foot stepping out of his office.
A question that remains unanswered for me is 'Who is this book meant for?' If it is meant to appeal to Bulgarian imigrants...then it will probably strike a sensitive cord or two. In any case, if it does reach to a larger audience, I will be really happy. Although I hope Penkov's next book is better.
My opinion of Penkov's writing was confirmed - his style is beautiful and well- polished, embelished with attractive words that, I am sure, does the job of impressing the average reader. Yet, this writing feels too much like a college paper, graded with an A, rather than a piece that is deeply heartfelt.
That, however, is not the main problem in this book. "Stork Mountain" simply doesn't tell a convincing story. A grown-up boy coming back to meet his grandpa, reconnect with his past...a great start...but then comes all the nestinari/storks/communism/heartbreak pieces. It seems the author tried to do a puzzle but somehow the pieces didn't fit, at least for me.
I do not know how much time Penkov spent researching on the book and talking to local people in Strandja, but at times it feels that he just sat and wrote the book without his foot stepping out of his office.
A question that remains unanswered for me is 'Who is this book meant for?' If it is meant to appeal to Bulgarian imigrants...then it will probably strike a sensitive cord or two. In any case, if it does reach to a larger audience, I will be really happy. Although I hope Penkov's next book is better.