[Subdue] The Cellist of Sarajevo by Steven Galloway - 3 Stars

[Nicole]

This reads like a collection of three short stories, all based in Sarajevo during the Bosnian Wars and the siege of the city. More specifically, during the twenty-two days Vedran Smailovic - the concert cellist - played to memorialized the shelling that killed twenty-two Sarajevo civilians. Real events that I have to admit, I was not at all aware of prior to picking up this book.

As the cellist plays, Kenan walks through the city to collect water for his family and for an old woman who lives down the hall from them. Dragan stands on the corner of a street, waiting to cross to collect his daily ration of bread - hunted by a sniper and unsure if life is still worth living. And Arrow is hunting the men who hunt them while trying not to loose her sense of self.

All three characters struggle to hold on to their sense of humanity and compassion. Their city was not always as it is now; shelled to near oblivion, full of scared families and run by lawless and greedy men. They themselves were not always as they are now - Can the wounds of war heal and will they all make it through alive?

Three stars. I'm not a particular fan of short stories, I struggle to connect with the limited word count, but would highly recommend to individuals who can appreciate the format more fully.

In the past couple of years, I've read a number of books that have taught me something previously unknown about world history. I could not be more appreciative of that fact.

[Amy]

I’m reading it right now! I’m not sure I care for it. But that may be my mood.

[Nicole]

I’ll be very interested to see your review when you finish it! I found Arrow’s story to be the most compelling, but I’m a solid action and adventure kinda gal.