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Snippets of Serbia
An American artist chronicles her life in Serbia. This is Emma Fick's illustrated journey through the weird, the fun and the unique adventures to be experienced across this small Balkan country. Emma's book is a labour of love by an aspiring young artist that captures the sense of being in a moment. She beautifully conveys so much of Serbia's culture through a blend of playful illustrations and poignant written comments. Even locals gasp at how accurately she conveys the everyday aspects of Serbian life that are usually taken for granted or overlooked.
200 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2015
2 people are currently reading
140 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
October 13, 2022
I really enjoyed this illustrated travel guide to Serbia. A journey through delicate colourful watercolours and moments of everyday life, from the point of view of the author's personal and family history. Ideal for those who have just returned from Serbia or are preparing a trip to the country. An alternative, delicate and visual guide. I would love to read more travel books in this illustrated format.
December 20, 2015
I asked a friend to get this book for me, and it was signed with my name on it! It is always interesting to "see" foreign lands through other people's eyes.
I think I'll try making Srpski kačamak in the future, or perhaps vanilice.
I think I'll try making Srpski kačamak in the future, or perhaps vanilice.
March 14, 2024
Not enough dragons... But lots of kajmak
October 2, 2018
As a Serb living in The US I truly enjoyed seeing my country and my people seen through someone elses eyes. Wonderfully done. Also, makes a great gift to my friends. I will also be looking forward to her other work.
January 30, 2016
Pratim Emin rad već dugo vremena i radovala sam se ovoj knjizi. Ispunila je sva moja očekivanja. Preporučujem svima iz Srbije i koji bi voleli da saznaju više o Srbiji.
April 15, 2025
Just lovely
June 28, 2022
Emma Fick has realized my dream book on Serbian Cuisine and all aspects of #SerbianCulture. It just arrived today and I finished already! 😘
"Snippets of Serbia" is like an encyclopedia but short (197 pages), fun, and captivatingly beautiful. Every page is a feast for the eyes, and instantly communicates its information in a single punch—honestly, if it were software, it would instantly install into your mental programming.
I highly recommend this book more than I can express. It’s been a long time since a book stirred my heart; it’s a love letter to a once endangered cultural identity. I dont think anyone could not fall in love with Serbia after reading this book 📖.
I have always felt my heritage to be an unpopular one, but a book like this gives me hope that more people will become curious to discover my birthplace. One of the comeback kids of world countries. One of the cuisines I hope we’ll see pop up more in the American restaurant scene.
"Snippets of Serbia" is like an encyclopedia but short (197 pages), fun, and captivatingly beautiful. Every page is a feast for the eyes, and instantly communicates its information in a single punch—honestly, if it were software, it would instantly install into your mental programming.
I highly recommend this book more than I can express. It’s been a long time since a book stirred my heart; it’s a love letter to a once endangered cultural identity. I dont think anyone could not fall in love with Serbia after reading this book 📖.
I have always felt my heritage to be an unpopular one, but a book like this gives me hope that more people will become curious to discover my birthplace. One of the comeback kids of world countries. One of the cuisines I hope we’ll see pop up more in the American restaurant scene.
February 18, 2016
Whether you're an actual tourist or an armchair traveler, this illustrated travel journal is a delight. Bits of history and folklore are interspersed with Serbian food, architecture, and people--all done in a charming artistic style. I hope Emma Fick is considering some additional illustrated travel books in the future.
December 4, 2016
Απίστευτο!!
April 26, 2024
I enjoyed Emma Fick’s illustrated journal of her trip on the Trans-Siberian railway, and was curious about this earlier book from
her. It’s different because it doesn’t have the linear quality of following a trip from start to finish, like the Trans-Siberian book does. It’s more like looking at a photo album of someone who lived in Serbia for an extended time and took pictures of everyday scenes, with added notes. The difference is that the pictures are all hand-drawn and painted. It did give me a great mental image of what her experiences in Serbia were like. Something about the drawings captures things differently from how photos would.
It’s a quick read because it’s mostly pictures, but it’s a really pleasant and interesting one. I can definitely see picking it up again to look back at all the details.
I passed through Serbia on the train when I was a kid and it was still part of Yugoslavia. I remember landscapes and glimpses of towns and people’s homes along the way. (Lots of unfinished brick buildings! It made me smile when she got to the part about how unfinished construction projects are still common nowadays.)
I liked reading this book and knowing more about the things we would have seen if we had gotten off the train and seen the towns. (There were some Cold War politics and my parents’ worries that got in the way of that part at the time. It’s great to know things are so much easier for Americans to travel to Serbia these days, while so many traditions are still alive and well.)
her. It’s different because it doesn’t have the linear quality of following a trip from start to finish, like the Trans-Siberian book does. It’s more like looking at a photo album of someone who lived in Serbia for an extended time and took pictures of everyday scenes, with added notes. The difference is that the pictures are all hand-drawn and painted. It did give me a great mental image of what her experiences in Serbia were like. Something about the drawings captures things differently from how photos would.
It’s a quick read because it’s mostly pictures, but it’s a really pleasant and interesting one. I can definitely see picking it up again to look back at all the details.
I passed through Serbia on the train when I was a kid and it was still part of Yugoslavia. I remember landscapes and glimpses of towns and people’s homes along the way. (Lots of unfinished brick buildings! It made me smile when she got to the part about how unfinished construction projects are still common nowadays.)
I liked reading this book and knowing more about the things we would have seen if we had gotten off the train and seen the towns. (There were some Cold War politics and my parents’ worries that got in the way of that part at the time. It’s great to know things are so much easier for Americans to travel to Serbia these days, while so many traditions are still alive and well.)
March 19, 2021
Lovely and funny portray of Serbia's tradition, customs, and beauty that quite often, we (serbians) that are originating from there tend to forget. We get habituated on the all the small (and big) beauties our country possesses. Socially, antropologically, historically, architecturally,... We get used to what is surrounding us. While reading book, I remebered Alain de Botton's argument that every place is inexhaustible source of beauty and discovery. We just get used to it. But we should train ourselves in not doing it. I almost felt ashamed while reading Emma's sweet observations of Serbia. Well written, warm, with great illustrations, Emma's book can serve as a reminder to Serbians about the beauty and diversity of our culture / and to foreigners as a beautifully portrayed guide through Serbia.
September 26, 2017
A visitors and enthusiasts guide to Serbia, written by a former resident and explorer of the Balkan region, complete with illustrations of the peoples, food (and my god there are lots of foods), landmarks, customs, and commentary bits that liven up the book. Illustration are drawn and include Cyrillic in certain portions along with roman-variants of Serbian. Best reads for visitors and natives a like.
December 6, 2017
A fantastic pictoral representation of the food, people, and places of Serbia. The artist is a woman from the American south who moved to Serbia. It was informative and lead to more than a few chuckles.
October 14, 2018
Beautiful, readable, and honest account of a wonderful country. The fact that rural Serbia is so inaccessible for non-Serbian speaking foreigners, but so wonderfully presented in illustrations makes this book worth every page.
July 22, 2025
A really nice travel art book. I enjoyed the art of places. I think the people look a little off but I can visualize everything well. This made me want to go to Serbia and even eat Serbian food. I hope Emma got to travel to more than just Serbia.
July 25, 2019
Divertido
April 2, 2022
Very cute
January 26, 2023
Bought and read it in Beograd. Loved it.
May 10, 2024
I loved Border Crossings so I always wanted to read this one. I randomly found this at goodwill for three dollars with a business card from Emma inside! Truly a score!!!
January 5, 2025
What a sweet surprise from a complete stranger.
This book was gifted to me thru a friend of a friend via Facebook.
He must have noticed my affinity toward the Balkans and their interesting culture and complex history. Fantastic introductuction thru Emma's eyes. I look forward to exploring this region for myself in the near future!
This book was gifted to me thru a friend of a friend via Facebook.
He must have noticed my affinity toward the Balkans and their interesting culture and complex history. Fantastic introductuction thru Emma's eyes. I look forward to exploring this region for myself in the near future!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 13, 2015
Great stuff and excellent gift for anyone who visited or wants to visit Serbia! Sending it directly to my friend in Denmark. I'm also into hands like Emma. :)
March 3, 2016
Kiinnostavia piirroksia ympäri Serbiaa ulkomaalaisen silmin.
March 18, 2016
Too cute.
March 28, 2018
Surprisingly large amount of information presented in an entertaining way! Good for enticing visitors, I would think.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews