The Cellist of Sarajevo [CELLIST OF SARAJEVO] [Paperback]

by StevenGalloway

The Cellist of Sarajevo [CELLIST OF SARAJEVO] [Paperback]

Genres: Historical Fiction

Paperback

Published March 1, 2009

Reviews

[Michelle Raybourn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been a slow reader lately. Getting back into the swing of work after the holidays and figuring out the daily rhythms of married life. It does feel easier to work on a crossword together or watch a show, than read. It can feel like solitary work sometimes.

However, I was REALLY glad that I made the time on my flight to finish the last 100 pages of this book. It felt like a good first step back into the joys of reading.

This was a heavy one to get through. People struggling to hold onto their humanity during a war, while they lose any shred of comfort. Overall though, I thought it was a beautiful piece.

[Lauren Lanning]

I have most of this book underlined. The four, mostly three, different stories were all moving in their ways. I found myself liking each of the characters and relating to them in ways I wouldn't have expected. The descriptions of the cellist are devastating and profound. I particularly loved the scene from Arrow's perspective where she says, " It is a rare gift to understand that your life is wonderous, and that it won't last forever." The whole scene has stuck with me each day since reading it. This book was incredible, and such a quick read.

[James Pascali · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book tells a story of survival during the conflict in Kosovo. As the heart of this story is a concert Cellist who plays a song at the site of a massive bombing that killed the town's residents while they were in line for bread. The playing of this song is both a moment of remembrance for those lost and a reintroduction of beauty in a space where joy has been extinguished. This book crushed me with each introduction of a new perspective of the same conflict. From a guy simply trying to retrieve water for his family to a sniper seeking vengeance, no one is left unscathed.

[Juliana Simmons · Rating 4 out of 5]

VG. The story of the siege of Sarajevo. The book follows 3 citizens of Sarajevo, a sharp shooter, a family man and an older retired baker and describes their life avoiding snipers on the hill. The cellist enters the story when 22 people were killed in a bread line & the cellist plays an adiago for 22 days-in line with the snipers, but protected by the sharp shooter. He ultimately gives hope that one day Sarajevo may return.

[Angelica · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is not really about the cellist 😅. It's an interesting piece on the human condition during conflict and seige. But the cellist is literally just "background noise" in this book. I was hoping that the different storylines would intersect a bit more, and that wasn't really delivered on either.

[Cindy Costanza · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book years ago. It was published in 2008. I remembered being very affected by it. Having just re-read it for a book club, I am just as affected now. It is beautifully written, takes you out of yourself, and puts you into the minds and hearts of people living through a war in their city.

[T.A. Par · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was unique that is for sure. I enjoyed the characters, but then all of a sudden it just ended.

[Jenna Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Felt like I could truly imagine myself in this war

[Kiana Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

10/10 love the writing style and perspective of each character. Emotional and beautiful.