Review: With Their Backs To The World

I renewed my interest in Ansne Seierstad's "With Their Backs To The World: Portraits From Serbia" after reading this article about it on the Beyond Sarajevo Blog. The book features 14 characters; all whom represent a different segment of Serbian society during the 1990s and early 2000s.

The book's biggest strength is primarily due to the author's writing talents; (Seierstand also wrote "The Bookseller of Kabul"). She takes, what could be a rather cliche look at Serbian society in the 1990s and early 2000s; full of stock characters like "the nationalist" "the protester" "the democrat" "the religious one"; and writes a deeply effective; and at times moving portrait; of her subjects. In other words; instead of just having her subjects be one dimensional caricatures whose sole purpose is to be the embodiment of a political/social/religious idea; she allows them (if you forgive my overuse of cliches in the piece); to "come to life."

While the writing style is enough to draw in people who are not extensively interested in the Balkans; the book will also be appreciated by those who have a knowledge of the region and want a more in depth look.
Through her featured characters; the author does an impressive job of showing the complexities involved in Serbian political life.
There is probably no issue today as pressing in Serbia and Kosovo as to the status of Kosovo. In her chapter focusing on Kosovo; she takes what could be a rather cliche look at the issue; and provides a more nuanced view. The chapter focuses on the bitter irony of some Serbs who strongly believe that Kosovo is "holy" land; and can never, ever, be separated from Serbia; yet who have a rather prejudice view towards Kosovo Serbs. Some have even gone as far as posting signs forbidding Kosovo Serbs from entering their places of business. And none of them seem to get the irony of speaking in rather sweeping terms about Kosovo; yet in rather dismissive terms about the very refugees from there. Other chapters focus on various people, ranging from a man who makes a living off the black market; to a member of the youth resistance organization, Otpor. From an anonymous family, to the rocker Rambo Amadeus. From a young supporter of Milosevic; to a newly elected democratic mayor.

With Their Backs To The World is a compelling and complex look at a dark time in Serbian society.

Traveling & Perspectives

I think that as a rule; and with exceptions of course; most people in the US have an uninformed and perhaps misleading view of the Balkans and Bosnia. Part of this is because most mainstream papers only cover Balkan related news when something bad happens; or something that has an effect on US relations and policy. I'm not arguing at all that we should view Bosnia, or any country for that matter, through rose colored glasses; and that we should stay away from those accounts; but that just reading about Bosnia through the "Google News" tends to give a skewed view of the country.
While actually traveling and living there is perhaps the best way to learn more about a country; that is not possible option for everyone. To that end; other forms such as blogs and travel guides are helpful. Of course, not all travel guides are created alike. But, when it comes to a "good" travel book; Bradt's Bosnia and Herzegovina by Tim Clancy* is worth taking a look at.

The book stands out for two primary reasons; one it is one of the few travel books dedicated solely to Bosnia. Most travel guides cover the former Yugoslav states; or the larger Balkan region. This often causes Bosnia to get lost in the shuffle amongst Croatia, Slovenia and Serbia. When this happens; what usually results; is a minuscule portion of the book dedicated to Bosnia; with all of the focus on Sarajevo (I read one travel book to the area; and Tuzla wasn't even mentioned in passing). By focusing the entire book on Bosnia; we get a much more complex and complete view of the country. Including focusing on towns, that are not usually seen at typical tourist spots; as well as urban and rural tourism.
The second reason why this book stands out is the author. This again, is where perspective plays a role. Like many in the west his first major involvement in Bosnia was doing the war; where he worked for an NGO; and which influenced his perspective. Throughout the book he understandably occasionally mentions the war; including at times his own experience and the understandable effect the war on the country today. But this book goes beyond offering the perspective of an aid worker; who while however well meaning, may still have a limited understanding of a country. From the book, Clancy really appeared to be someone who enjoyed all of the complex and nuanced layers of the country. And most importantly, he is very knowledgeable. And he is able to see the country as much more than just a place of a horrific war; although he wisely is very mindful of how the war has impacted the country. All in all, he really seems to love the culture, architecture and most of all people in Bosnia; without a patronizing attitude that sometimes colors other books. The book offers a view of Bosnia not seen in the the often dismal perspectives covered in the papers; or the glossed over version of tour books; but instead the 'good, bad, ugly and beautiful' of Bosnia.

* If that name sounds somewhat familiar, it is because Clancy helped form Greenvisions; the eco-tourist organization in Bosnia.

The New Bosnian Mosaic

Found out about this book courtesy of East Ethnia.
Looks very interesting; hopefully it will be in a library in the States sometime in the near future.