That Weekend in Albania: A Road Trip to Intrigue in the Balkans

by Peter J. Meehan

Overview:
A multi-genre take on Europe's poorest country, prior to Albania's current status as a trendy tourist destination. Combining historical fiction and family dynamics, That Weekend in Albania is a travelogue / adventure, exploring cultural confrontation in the Balkans. The text combines a Swiss Family Robinson tale with a James Bond thriller.

Synopsis:
In 2001, two months after 9/11, an expatriate family takes a weekend road trip to Butrint, a multi-civilization ruin near Albania's southern border with Greece. Having experienced Stalinism at its worst, Europe’s only Muslim country is experimenting with ‘capitalism’', clashing with the family’s expectation of a Mediterranean lifestyle.

Background:
After 45 years of closed borders, murder and starvation, Albanian Stalinism ended in 1991. In transitioning to a market economy, the new government mistakenly endorsed pyramid schemes: two-thirds of the population invested, losing $1.2 billion by 1997. Rioting destroyed the country's infrastructure, leading to a stateless society. In early 1999, the Yugoslav War spilled from Kosovo into Albania until the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe allowed democratic elections to be held.

278 pages, Paperback

Published July 25, 2016

About the author

After emigrating from Ireland, grade school in Cold War Europe ended in cultural shock—reading and motorcycles preserved my adventurous spirit on returning to Canada for high school. Alternating arctic field work with road trips and Mediterranean winter travel, an MSc in London led to Vienna.
Taking a growing family to the Balkans in 2001 inspired a travelogue / thriller mashup, That Weekend in Albania. That Weekend in Albania
A compelling Spanish encounter inspired a novel immersing readers into Franco’s post-war Spanish intrigue: Return to Pamplona Return to Pamplona
is a romantic mystery in Basque country (Bestsellers World Award 2024).
Thriving in Ukraine (2018-20) Kyiv’s vibrant arts scene encouraged an examination of my Northern Irish / Canadian identity. This ongoing memoir is generating ideas for a more Eastern European focus, 30 years after living in France and Germany.
I remain a frequent and observant traveler when not enjoying the outdoors.

Reviews

[Lori Byrd · Rating 2 out of 5]

I learned a lot about the culture of Albania but I was waiting to read more about a journey. The book was very well written but a little slow for my taste.

[Luisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. When I first got the book I thought it was a book about someones trip to Albania not and actual novel. The book moved well. I also thought it did a good job of describe the turmoil in the Balkans in the 00's the conflict around Kosovo and the 3rd world state of Albania. I think the book portrays the wild west/gang culture that exists in Albania, the corruption, and the terrible infrastructure and economic development. I liked the fact the book didn't hide the fact that there was terrorists and some foreign ones as well as the KLA, and that it was a culture of the blood feud. I was never very sure of the occupation of Tony and his ties to various diplomats. The first three quarters of the book I would give a 4*, but I found last quarter of the book weaker. I was confused to what Malik's purpose in the book and felt he was not necessary to the plot or story, we can include Sylvie in that category as well. I felt there was two many loose ends at the conclusion of the book, and I still felt confused. Never did figure out why the american was recruiting Tony, and if Tony was legit or was also involve in the Albanian underworld. Yes I would recommend this book, primarily as it gives one a gritty and I feel accurate visual of Albania at the turn of the 21st century.

[Audrey Driscoll · Rating 4 out of 5]

That Weekend in Albania is a thoroughly researched and well-written work of travel fiction introducing Albania to readers interested in adventurous travel. Peter J. Meehan presents this fascinating Balkan country through two perspectives -- an ex-pat family's, and that of Albanian entrepreneurs trying to create prosperity in a post-Communist world. The family must cope with issues such as midlife crisis and parent-child relations in a context of culture shock, separation, language barriers and an unfamiliar environment. The businessmen do not hesitate to use questionable means to achieve their ends, within a framework of recent conflict and ancient loyalties. Several thriller-like episodes, featuring fast cars on bad roads, furnish jolts of excitement. Altogether, this book is a vicarious journey that will inform and interest both active and armchair travelers.
This review is based on an advance review copy in PDF form.

[Chris Jefferson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was really looking forward to reading this book but it did not meet my expectations. It was difficult to define its genre as a travel documentary , historical paper, mystery or what. However, hidden amongst all that mainly irrelevant information were glimpses of an intriguing story. Had potential but it did not happen.

[LynetteMountainCloud · Rating 2 out of 5]

won a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I really could not understand this book.