Stillness: And Other Stories

by Courtney Angela Brkic

Book Overview

The war in the Balkans provides the striking backdrop for these emotionally resonant, morally challenging, and uplifting short stories. Brkic's collection gives voice to people caught in situations... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0374269998
• ISBN13: 9780374269999
• Release Date: May 2003
• Publisher: Farrar Straus Giroux
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.7" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Well worth reading, fine writing

I was quite surprised to come to this comments page and find so few reviews. Perhaps this gem has been somewhat overlooked? I agree with all the positive comments of others but I would stress that the book's value is not only, or even mainly, in its thematic content on the horrors of war in general or this war in particular. The stories are also worth reading just because of their haunting, usually understated windows into the inner lives of people in extreme stress. The tone is pretty much one of despair and emptiness throughout--don't go here looking for inspiration or heroism. Endurance and survival are the most to be expected, and those are shaky at best. Within that limited perspective, though, the stories are very readable, insightful, troubling, and memorable.

Fiction the Way

After working in the living hell of the 90's Balkans, fiction can be the only way to express the horrors witnessed and experienced. These stories take you there. You want more, and you never again want to hear about this slaughterhouse, at the same time. This book may be all you ever want to know about these times and places. If you are familiar with what happened, then you will be compelled by the faces Ms Brkic puts on the countless victims. Either way, this is a most rewarding book.

"Spoils" of war

If ever there were a book that should be read by all world leaders, this is it. Despite whatever lofty goals are used as an excuse for war, this amazingly written literary debut should make each and every one of us think long and hard about the effects of such military action. Each story reveals the pain experienced by a different citizen, whether directly involved in the fighting or not. Each experience and point of view is painful, and lasting, and not easily or perhaps ever "rebuilt" into a feeling of safety again. The common humanity in all of us has been intimately detailed and portrayed with such power; it should be a constant reminder to us of the need for mutual respect and dignity, as well. Kudos to Ms. Brkic for giving us such a meaningful gift!