Pretty good in the end!

There were some inaccuracies and other issues, but overall it was a very interesting and enjoyable read.

The story had its flaws, no doubt about it. However, the engaging plot and the well-developed characters more than made up for those shortcomings.

As I was reading, I found myself constantly drawn in by the twists and turns of the narrative. It kept me on the edge of my seat, eager to find out what would happen next.

Despite the inaccuracies, the author managed to create a vivid and immersive world that I couldn't help but get lost in.

All in all, it was a great read that I would highly recommend to others.

Sure, it wasn't perfect, but that's what made it all the more charming.

I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.

I think that I would have liked this book more if I knew a little bit more about the history.

Currently, I only have a few more chapters to read, but I am so lost that I cannot seem to finish it.

The lack of historical knowledge on my part is making it difficult for me to fully understand and engage with the story.

It feels as if there are many references and allusions that I am missing, which is detracting from my overall enjoyment of the book.

Maybe I need to study up more on the relevant historical period and then give this book another read.

By doing so, I hope to gain a better perspective and be able to appreciate the book for what it truly is.

Until then, I will put this book aside and focus on expanding my historical knowledge.

Hopefully, the next time I pick up this book, I will be able to breeze through those remaining chapters with ease and have a much more fulfilling reading experience.

Perhaps one of Asne's books that I've found most authentic is the one that truly presents the lives of ordinary Serbs. The author interviewed and spent time with 13 persons or families from all walks of life. There were politicians, farmers, artists, and students. She portrayed the Serbian mentality, culture, and political situation of that time in a neutral and non-judgemental way. Being Serbian myself, I can relate to all 13 stories and confirm their authenticity. It's been 20 years since the first interviews she conducted with different people. So, I was literally transported back to those grey times and could remember and hear the same lines, thoughts, and ideas coming from others' mouths, including those of the people I was surrounded by and myself too.

However, since this book is not for Serbians but about Serbians, I found that a wider picture was missing for everyone else who is not so familiar with the situation in the Balkans. Plus, there was some misinformation here and there that did not go unnoticed.

Still, overall, it was an interesting and fun read. It provided valuable insights into the lives and experiences of ordinary Serbians during a particular period. Despite its shortcomings, it managed to capture the essence of the Serbian people and their way of life.

This is a compilation of brief portraits of diverse Serbian individuals, depicting their lives prior to, during, and subsequent to the downfall of Milosevic.

It wasn't a terrible book, yet it overly concentrated on the lives of the individuals, sacrificing a more comprehensive understanding of Serbia and its circumstances.

After just finishing reading "Maximum City" (a wonderful book about Mumbai - highly recommended!), I found myself longing for that same intricate, more extensive description of a place, the atmosphere, and the mindset of a people.

This book is not so much centered on what was transpiring at the time as on what a small number of people had to say about what was happening.

Even though, in doing so, it takes into account several different viewpoints and thus lacks bias, it does very little in actually painting a picture for the reader of what Serbia is truly like.

There are hints here and there... a broken system, a corrupt government... but in the end, they are merely hints and are not explored in any detail, leaving me dissatisfied.

If you desire to learn about Serbia, its people, and its history, there are likely better books available.

As Yugoslavia split up, the Serbians suddenly found themselves in a most challenging situation, not only physically but also culturally and politically.

Over a span of five years, from 1999 to 2004, Seierstad made three long visits to Serbia. During these trips, she dedicated a significant amount of time to getting to know several Serbians from diverse walks of life. She delved deep into their hopes, fears, perspectives, and political views.

The most outstanding feature of this book is its unique organization. Instead of attempting to intertwine their stories, Seierstad devotes an entire chapter to each individual. This approach allows for a more in-depth exploration of each person's experiences and emotions, providing the reader with a comprehensive understanding of the Serbian people during this tumultuous period.

Not as captivating as "The Bookseller of Kaboul" which accompanied one specific family throughout the entire book, I still found it engaging to read.

It is advisable to have some knowledge of the politics in that region of the world to comprehend their circumstances.

This work offers a unique perspective, although it may not have the same level of continuous family narrative as the aforementioned book.

Nonetheless, it provides valuable insights into the complex web of events and the impact they have on the people.

By delving into the political backdrop, one can gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and struggles faced by the characters.

Overall, it is an interesting read that encourages further exploration of the region's history and politics.

I didn't love this.

It felt extremely repetitive, almost to the point of being tiresome. The same ideas and phrases seemed to be recycled over and over again.

Moreover, it was a bit on the long side, which made it a bit of a struggle to get through.

Perhaps if it had been more concise and less repetitive, it would have been a more enjoyable read.

As it stands, it just didn't hold my interest for very long.

I found myself skimming through parts of it, hoping to reach the end sooner.

Overall, it was not a particularly engaging piece of writing.

There is definitely room for improvement in terms of both content and style.

Maybe a rewrite with a more focused and unique approach would make it more appealing.

Until then, I'll have to look elsewhere for more interesting reading material.

This is a very interesting book, a masterpiece that vividly portrays the lives of Serbs before, during, and after the Serb revolution.

By presenting a diverse range of characters, Asne has successfully provided a glimpse into the lives of a people who were shaken in their beliefs and left bewildered in the face of the world.

I used to firmly believe, and still do, that what the Serbs did to the Muslims in Bosnia was an unmitigated crime and massacre, a blatant act of ethnic cleansing. However, after reading this book, I feel that I have gained a deeper understanding of what drives people and how they might react when their leaders turn out to be true criminals.

Unfortunately, most of them will deny the truth.

Nonetheless, I highly recommend this book as it offers valuable insights into revolution and how society responds to corruption, revolutions, and revolutionary people. It is a thought-provoking and eye-opening read that challenges our preconceived notions and forces us to confront the complex and often uncomfortable realities of human nature and history.

A decent book that focuses on individuals in what, in many ways, became the most maligned country in the world for a time.

It is truly remarkable how the author delves deep into the lives of the common people of the country, rather than just highlighting the leaders who are constantly in the media spotlight for all of us to see.

This book is a translation from the Norwegian original, and I understand that it is inevitable that some of the subtleties and nuances might be lost in the process. However, despite this, it remains an easy read that offers a great deal of insight into Serbia during a very turbulent period of its history.

The author's ability to bring to life the experiences and emotions of the ordinary people makes this book a valuable and engaging read for anyone interested in understanding the complex and often overlooked aspects of a country's past.

Overall, it is a book that I would highly recommend to those who are looking for a different perspective on a country that has often been misrepresented or misunderstood.

This book vividly describes the conditions in the Balkan countries from approximately 1990 to 2004.

These were the years when Milosevic was in power.

I truly liked the author's writing style, which made the book highly engaging.

The book was extremely educational for me as I had limited knowledge about the history, culture, and beliefs of the peoples in the Balkan countries.

It presented a somber and sometimes depressing account of the author's interviews with the people in this war-torn and impoverished area.

However, it ended on a somewhat upbeat note as Milosevic was overthrown and the peoples were once again making efforts to bring stability to their lives and countries.

Hopefully, they are achieving this goal.

I have the intention to check out the latest developments in this part of the world.

This is another one of my 3.5 books, but I decided to rate it as three.

Overall, it was an interesting and informative read that provided valuable insights into a region that has经历了 significant turmoil and change.

Åsne Seierstad embarks on several trips to Serbia over a period of years. Her intention is to closely follow a group of people. She asks them to share their perspectives on Serbian society. This is not mainly in relation to the leading politicians.

It is a well-written novel filled with in-depth and personal stories.

Åsne Seierstad is a curious Norwegian journalist. She is very perceptive about how to approach each individual during their meetings. She delves deep into the lives and thoughts of those she encounters in Serbia, seeking to understand the complex fabric of the society from the ground up. Through her interactions, she uncovers the hidden nuances and personal experiences that shape the way people view their country and its place in the world. Her work offers a unique and intimate look at Serbian society, one that goes beyond the headlines and political rhetoric.

I read The Bookseller of Kabul a few years ago and was truly captivated. So much so that I purchased several more of Seierstad's works. However, it has only been now that I've finally gotten around to reading one of them. I absolutely adore the way she fully immerses herself in the lives and cultures of the people she writes about. This particular book has a distinct approach compared to The Bookseller of Kabul as each chapter follows a different citizen of Serbia. The diverse range of individuals she befriended and observed includes students, refugees, journalists, politicians, and even a Serbian rock star. They have varying levels of engagement and come from different sides of the political divides. The edition I read also incorporated all the follow-up visits she made since the book's initial publication. The outcome is a rich and detailed portrait of the lives and beliefs of those who endured all aspects of the conflicts, ideologies, and the harsh reality of living in such a volatile and uncertain place and time.

I'll be honest and admit that I had very little understanding of the region and even less knowledge about the Balkan conflicts. I was just a young child in the early 90s. As pointed out in the book, after 9/11, the world's focus shifted to other regions, and by the time I was old enough to have a better awareness and interest in the wider world, my understanding of this area was limited. I watched a few brief history videos on Youtube before reading this book in an attempt to gain some understanding. But even with that and having read the book, while I now comprehend how complex the issues were, I still struggle to truly understand the issues themselves. This is by no means a criticism of the book. It simply reflects how deeply layered and multifaceted such issues can be. Seierstad manages to maintain a fairly impartial stance even when confronted with the most outspoken characters. Although, I did enjoy the moments when her wit and sly observations shone through. This book was truly fascinating, and if nothing else, it has confirmed for me that in any given situation, there are never such clear-cut distinctions between right and wrong, and those who suffer the most are always the ones with the least power.