Questions About The Hired Man

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Answered Questions (4)

What should I read to understand the politics of this time and place?

Dave You can start with the Wikipedia articles on the "Yugoslav Wars". These help to fill in the gaps.…moreYou can start with the Wikipedia articles on the "Yugoslav Wars". These help to fill in the gaps.(less)

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Did anyone else feel like this was a slow, unsatisfying read?

Shawn Pendley Not at all, but it requires the reader to do some of the heavy lifting. Sorry you didn't like it. There are lots of clues in the story and parallels b…moreNot at all, but it requires the reader to do some of the heavy lifting. Sorry you didn't like it. There are lots of clues in the story and parallels between the current and past stories, and the author has a lot to say about the fragility and at times cruelty of human relations. It's not a plot-centric book so you have to be willing to settle into the narrator's voice and life, which is definitely stoic. Sometimes, you're left scratching your head and asking, "yeah, but what does it mean and how does it relate," and that's a good thing.(less)

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