Children of Atlantis

by Zdenko Lešić (Editor)

The many young people who have fled the former Yugoslavia in the face of war, nationalism and the draft here describe the circumstances which drove them to leave their homes and the way they see their future. Children of Atlantis offers a snapshot of virtually a whole generation of young people on the threshold of their working lives, uprooted from the world in which they grew up, confronting the task of making something of their lives in the face of the catastrophe that has overwhelmed them, their families, their friends and their homeland. Their voices are varied, expressing pain, anger, uncertainty, hope and the positive energy of youth. What they have in common is a sense of disbelief and bewilderment at the forces unleashed in what was their country.

184 pages, Paperback

First published June 30, 1995

Reviews

[Maja · Rating 4 out of 5]

Each essay provided a glimpse into the world of war, chaos, identity loss, loss of loved ones and the loss of ones home. It provided me with connections to my own background being only two when my mom, aunt and I fled our home in former Yugoslavia. This was followed by my dad reuniting with us and the birth of my brother. I gained insight into what my parents and loved ones would have been going through and the complexity of their thoughts during this time.

I’m too young to remember the war directly but the effects of the war are still present daily. Being witness to my parents suffering and perseverance has shaped my outlook on life and contributed to my longing for answers and reasons behind the more atrocious actions of humanity.

Reading these essays I was struck by the presence of hope. Even through struggle and loss - optimism could be felt from each essay. The essays emphasized rebuilding the community in former Yugoslavia after the war. The students who wrote expressed a desire to be part of the solution regardless of faith, nationality or ideology. They wanted to bring positive change back to their home. I hope that some were able to accomplish this. I hope that during their time separated from their family, friends and home they maintained some of that motivation to bring positive change and inclusivity. I hope they never lost that dream.

The after effects of war are confusing - there’s a lot of questions that long for answering and a lot of emotions that cannot fully be expressed or comprehended. I hope that time healed some of the wounds of these bright students and that the passage of time did not darken their aspirations.

[Dina · Rating 1 out of 5]

Good concept but needed a better publisher. Each story reads similar, without any setting/place/names/detail. Try "Vukovar both sides now" instead.

[Radiah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a compilation of essays from survivors of the war who had managed to escape and were now living scattered all over the world. I had read much about the war in the news media, but reading the personal thoughts of the Children of Yugoslavia opened my eyes to the reality of what they faced.There was a sense of guilt from the writers from having to run when they felt they probably should have stayed to fight... but fight who? Friends or family members who were suddenly the enemy?

Most inspiring of all was the optimism which came through in their writing; perhaps a telling trait shared by all Yugoslavians whether Croat, Serb, Bosnian or Albanian. Almost all of them wrote that they would be returning home, or to what's left of it to contribute to rebuilding. I hope the Children of Yugoslavia who had been forced to flee a senseless war have found their way home again.