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Shkëlqimi dhe rënia e shokut Zylo
Alain Bosquet
The other Albanian
- Off the beaten tracks, the outrageous and insulting words full of humor from an author of universal scale –
For 20 years now, Europe discovers book after book an author of universal dimensions, Ismail Kadare. Today, we were given the opportunity to read the first novel of another author translated into French, Dritero Agolli. “The rise and fall of Comrade Zylo” is an impressive novel, especially for the fact that it is a satire from the year 1972; a time when you could not speak of liberalism in Tirana. Only some texts by Dritero Agolli were published until now in our journals without attracting much attention. He was born in 1931, and studied in the University of SSRU as most intellectuals of his generation. His novels gained him a solid fame in his country. His works are translates in around 6 languages, and today he is the chairman of the Albanian League of Writers, even though he is characterized by an extraordinary openness and freedom in expressing his thoughts .
The novel we are reading prevailed with difficulties. It is written with a discretion and classicism which at first sight seems to be abiding to the principles of socialist there is no room for mystery, lyricism or delirium. Even psychology is in agreement with official instructions. As it is mentioned there, nobody is a monster or a wicked human being in this masterpiece of irony. In addition, it can be assumed that the characters are optimist and strongly believe in the joyful tomorrow. Moreover, the hero, Zylo, is a high official or rather an apparatchik with various responsibilities, who does not obey, but on the contrary, he continuously introduces a spirit of initiative. Of course, one must see beyond appearances.
The narrator, Zylo’s main coworker, in charge of culture and shows, reports the comings and goings of his superior. The composition of the whole book is similar to that of a report, record or official biography. In other words, he is a charming tyrant of good will and not at all a caricature. Whatever he thinks, says or does, he strives to guarantee the wellbeing of the employees in his administration and to provide them with the happy war of classes.
The mindful, subdued and at the same time the amazing paper writer, Demka, the narrator makes everything possible to obey to Zylo. He prepares several reports, which later are appropriated by his this is the law of hierarchy. The dialogue serves to ward off enough that employees accept and submit to the superiority of those who decently and competently have mounted on their shoulders. Zylo explains, warrants, gives orders and gives anyone the impression that he is right about everything. His persuasive force is the kind that makes everybody gladly bow town before his from the moment when you become accomplice, you encourage his knowledge and foresight, even though they seem objectively suspicious.
Showing one’s teeth is a rare phenomenon and soon the reader asks himself how is it possible that in front of this persuasive and cunning force, wickedness and blindness are not on Demka’s he does not suffer at all from his position as an admired person without conditions. He bends his back proudly. This is how monarchs are. They encounter very civilized and finicky slaves, for whom obedience is less costly than the smallest doubt. Hence, the reader sympathizes with Zylo, and finally Demka personifies the person who is most passively and half-wittedly submitted. On the other hand, Zylo possesses enough power to look more free, brave and almost sovereign. When everything seems to be planned, the unexpected the most disciplined persons are also shaking in that state shock. One day, without knowing why, Zylo loses his job.
He is not criticized or accused of anything. He wanders to find a new job. There are rumors that he will be sent to work in an embassy. However, nothing happens. Demka does not give his feelings of consideration do not wither and his admiration shall have no excuses for Demkas. Servants should serve and should not replace their masters. It can never happen that legend deals with people as irreproachable as Zylo. Hence, the entire legend is insane, and this is the flaw of the from the moment that when it starts to be dreamed of, when the good material and psychological organization is extrapolated, and replaced by insanity. Then, satire reaches to the maximum levels. Dritero Agolli “The dog is a loyal animal. Why are we than annoyed and angered when treated as dogs?” to make fun of his character Zylo, he “A child writes with a piece of chalk on Comrade Zylo’s “Monument of Culture”.
Off the beaten tracks, this book gives us overflowing joy. It reminds you of the “Auditor” of Nikolai Gogol with the humorous insults that Voltaire and Diderot wanted. There is no need to mention communism. A disclosure could be more brutal, ...
The other Albanian
- Off the beaten tracks, the outrageous and insulting words full of humor from an author of universal scale –
For 20 years now, Europe discovers book after book an author of universal dimensions, Ismail Kadare. Today, we were given the opportunity to read the first novel of another author translated into French, Dritero Agolli. “The rise and fall of Comrade Zylo” is an impressive novel, especially for the fact that it is a satire from the year 1972; a time when you could not speak of liberalism in Tirana. Only some texts by Dritero Agolli were published until now in our journals without attracting much attention. He was born in 1931, and studied in the University of SSRU as most intellectuals of his generation. His novels gained him a solid fame in his country. His works are translates in around 6 languages, and today he is the chairman of the Albanian League of Writers, even though he is characterized by an extraordinary openness and freedom in expressing his thoughts .
The novel we are reading prevailed with difficulties. It is written with a discretion and classicism which at first sight seems to be abiding to the principles of socialist there is no room for mystery, lyricism or delirium. Even psychology is in agreement with official instructions. As it is mentioned there, nobody is a monster or a wicked human being in this masterpiece of irony. In addition, it can be assumed that the characters are optimist and strongly believe in the joyful tomorrow. Moreover, the hero, Zylo, is a high official or rather an apparatchik with various responsibilities, who does not obey, but on the contrary, he continuously introduces a spirit of initiative. Of course, one must see beyond appearances.
The narrator, Zylo’s main coworker, in charge of culture and shows, reports the comings and goings of his superior. The composition of the whole book is similar to that of a report, record or official biography. In other words, he is a charming tyrant of good will and not at all a caricature. Whatever he thinks, says or does, he strives to guarantee the wellbeing of the employees in his administration and to provide them with the happy war of classes.
The mindful, subdued and at the same time the amazing paper writer, Demka, the narrator makes everything possible to obey to Zylo. He prepares several reports, which later are appropriated by his this is the law of hierarchy. The dialogue serves to ward off enough that employees accept and submit to the superiority of those who decently and competently have mounted on their shoulders. Zylo explains, warrants, gives orders and gives anyone the impression that he is right about everything. His persuasive force is the kind that makes everybody gladly bow town before his from the moment when you become accomplice, you encourage his knowledge and foresight, even though they seem objectively suspicious.
Showing one’s teeth is a rare phenomenon and soon the reader asks himself how is it possible that in front of this persuasive and cunning force, wickedness and blindness are not on Demka’s he does not suffer at all from his position as an admired person without conditions. He bends his back proudly. This is how monarchs are. They encounter very civilized and finicky slaves, for whom obedience is less costly than the smallest doubt. Hence, the reader sympathizes with Zylo, and finally Demka personifies the person who is most passively and half-wittedly submitted. On the other hand, Zylo possesses enough power to look more free, brave and almost sovereign. When everything seems to be planned, the unexpected the most disciplined persons are also shaking in that state shock. One day, without knowing why, Zylo loses his job.
He is not criticized or accused of anything. He wanders to find a new job. There are rumors that he will be sent to work in an embassy. However, nothing happens. Demka does not give his feelings of consideration do not wither and his admiration shall have no excuses for Demkas. Servants should serve and should not replace their masters. It can never happen that legend deals with people as irreproachable as Zylo. Hence, the entire legend is insane, and this is the flaw of the from the moment that when it starts to be dreamed of, when the good material and psychological organization is extrapolated, and replaced by insanity. Then, satire reaches to the maximum levels. Dritero Agolli “The dog is a loyal animal. Why are we than annoyed and angered when treated as dogs?” to make fun of his character Zylo, he “A child writes with a piece of chalk on Comrade Zylo’s “Monument of Culture”.
Off the beaten tracks, this book gives us overflowing joy. It reminds you of the “Auditor” of Nikolai Gogol with the humorous insults that Voltaire and Diderot wanted. There is no need to mention communism. A disclosure could be more brutal, ...
Hardcover
First published January 1, 1973
43 people are currently reading
954 people want to read
About the author
Dritëro Agolli
78 books93 followersDritëro Agolli was a writer who has had a far from negligible influence on the course of contemporary literature. He was head of the Albanian Union of Writers and Artists from the purge of Fadil Paçrami and Todi Lubonja at the Fourth Plenary Session in 1973 until 1992. Agolli was born to a peasant family in Menkulas in the Devoll region near Korça and finished secondary school in Gjirokastra in 1952. He later continued his studies at the Faculty of Arts of the University of Leningrad and took up journalism upon his return to Albania, working for the daily newspaper Zëri i Popullit (The People’s Voice) for fifteen years. Agolli not only served as president of the Writers’ Union from 1973 to his retirement on 31 January 1992, but was also a deputy in the People’s Assembly.
Agolli first attained success as a poet of the soil. His early verse collections Në rrugë dolla, Tirana 1958 (I went out on the street), Hapat e mija në asfalt, Tirana 1961 (My steps on the pavement), and Shtigje malesh dhe trotuare, Tirana 1965 (Mountain paths and sidewalks), introduced him to the reading public as a sincere and gifted lyric poet of the soil and demonstrated masterful verse technique. An attachment to his roots came to form the basis of his poetic credo.
Dritëro Agolli has been exceptionally productive in recent years, with numerous well-received verse collections: Lypësi i kohës, Tirana 1995 (The time beggar), Shpirti i gjyshërve, Tirana 1996 (The spirit of our forefathers), Vjen njeriu i çuditshëm, Tirana 1996 (The strange man approaches), Baladë për tim atë dhe për vete, Tirana 1997 (Ballad for my father and myself), Fletorka e mesnatës, Tirana 1998 (Midnight notebook), and Kambana e largët, Tirana 1998 (The distant bell).
As a prose writer, Agolli first made a name for himself with the novel Komisari Memo, Tirana 1970 (Commissar Memo), originally conceived as a short story. This didactic novel with a clear social and political message was translated into English as The bronze bust, Tirana 1975.
Agolli’s second novel, Njeriu me top, Tirana 1975 (The man with a cannon), translated into English as The man with the gun, Tirana 1983, takes up the partisan theme from a different angle and with a somewhat more subtle approach.
Dritëro Agolli was a prolific writer throughout the nineties, a rare voice of humanity and sincerity in Albanian letters.
Agolli first attained success as a poet of the soil. His early verse collections Në rrugë dolla, Tirana 1958 (I went out on the street), Hapat e mija në asfalt, Tirana 1961 (My steps on the pavement), and Shtigje malesh dhe trotuare, Tirana 1965 (Mountain paths and sidewalks), introduced him to the reading public as a sincere and gifted lyric poet of the soil and demonstrated masterful verse technique. An attachment to his roots came to form the basis of his poetic credo.
Dritëro Agolli has been exceptionally productive in recent years, with numerous well-received verse collections: Lypësi i kohës, Tirana 1995 (The time beggar), Shpirti i gjyshërve, Tirana 1996 (The spirit of our forefathers), Vjen njeriu i çuditshëm, Tirana 1996 (The strange man approaches), Baladë për tim atë dhe për vete, Tirana 1997 (Ballad for my father and myself), Fletorka e mesnatës, Tirana 1998 (Midnight notebook), and Kambana e largët, Tirana 1998 (The distant bell).
As a prose writer, Agolli first made a name for himself with the novel Komisari Memo, Tirana 1970 (Commissar Memo), originally conceived as a short story. This didactic novel with a clear social and political message was translated into English as The bronze bust, Tirana 1975.
Agolli’s second novel, Njeriu me top, Tirana 1975 (The man with a cannon), translated into English as The man with the gun, Tirana 1983, takes up the partisan theme from a different angle and with a somewhat more subtle approach.
Dritëro Agolli was a prolific writer throughout the nineties, a rare voice of humanity and sincerity in Albanian letters.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
March 14, 2020
I think Im in love with Dritero. He has written a masterpiece which perfectly describes the past,the present and the future of Albania.. there are a lot of Zylo here ,and Demka as well. It makes me sad and the irony of this book..the hidden messages...this book creates a chaos and since you read it you never think the same about the place you live and you love. Im so sad that Dritero faced me with reality more than anyone has ever done. I have always had my opinions ,but now they are becoming stronger due to the purpose of this novel. Strong Agolli! Looking forward to reading more by you !
August 25, 2023
Kisha pershtypje te gabuar per shokun Zylo qe nga shkolla fillore e deri tani qe mbarova kete roman. Gjithmone kam menduar se Zyloja ishte injorant e i paafte ne detyren e tij e prandaj Demka detyrohej t’i bente raportet. Ne fakt, Zyloja fare mire mund t’i shkruante dhe vete, po pertacia e ideja se hartimi i raporteve e referateve ishte nen te, i jepte atij krahe te merrej me detyra “shume here me te rendesishme” (sipas tij) dhe jo me gjera modeste dhe jo-thelbesore si shkrimi i raporteve.
January 8, 2022
Η άνοδος και η πτώση του συντρόφου Ζύλο (εκδ. Πατάκη, 1994)
February 23, 2019
Ky roman mban ne vete nje perqeshje qe ka qene e qelluar ne periudhen kur eshte shkruar, por qe fatkeqesisht eshte edhe sot. Personat si shoku Zylo ne mesin e regjimit te sotem demokrat ende gjenden dhe me te njejten "modesti" mundohen ta mbajne postin e tyre kur brenda tyre s'ka gje tjeter vecse etje per t'u lavderuar. Ne dukje Zylo Kamberi paraqitet si njeri i zellshem me pikepamje te forta e karakter edhe me te forte, por ne fakt kjo eshte vecse nje maske qe ka vendosur mbi fytyren e tij te vertete. Me genjeshtra largohet ashtu sic hyn. Edhe pse fundi nuk paraqitet konkretisht ne kete forme, une mendoj qe satira e ben te dukur edhe kete dukuri te padashur. Personazhi qe me dhimbset me se shumti ne kete roman eshted figura e Demkes, te fundosur ne nje pune qe nuk do ta kryeje e qe ia ka ftohur edhe aftesite e tija letrare. Personazhi me perfaqesor dhe budalla sipas meje eshte paraqitur Kleopatra e cila s'ka gje ne tru vecse nje mendjelehtesi te holle mbi koken e saj te bukur. Zejnepja m'u shfaqet si e brengosur dhe e deshperuar nga Demka.
Por, mbi te gjitha, romani,sipas opinionit tim, eshte i formuluar me mjafte elegance dhe me nje stil te paeksloruar edhe ne ditet e sotme...
Por, mbi te gjitha, romani,sipas opinionit tim, eshte i formuluar me mjafte elegance dhe me nje stil te paeksloruar edhe ne ditet e sotme...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 17, 2014
Ishte nje liber qe me beri shume pershtypje kur e lexova, jo se nuk kam degjuar histori nga prinderit per kohen e diktatures, por te lexoja nje roman qe perfaqesonte ate kohe dhe menyren si trajtoheshin njerezit ne te me beri te kuptoj shume gjera. Personazhi i Zylos, edhe pse ngjarja tregohet nga kendveshtrimi i dikujt tjeter, eshte nje personazh qe mund te te beje per te qeshur apo ndonjehere dhe te te vije keq per individet per te cilet flitet. Per shembull mua me vinte shume keq per Demken, i cili bente te gjitha raportet si per paraardhesin e shokut Zylo, si dhe per kete te fundit, pasi nuk merrte asnjehere meritat qe i takonin, por sikur te mos mjaftonte kjo, e shoqja e Zylos i thoshte pikerisht Demkes sesa ishte lodhur Zylo per te shkruar ato raporte. Por ne perfundim Demka rrinte gjithmone aty, ndersa personat per te cilet ai shkruante raportet nderroheshin here pas here, i paafte pas te paaftit nje nga nje, te cilet diktoheshin nga te tjere dhe benin c'u thoshin vetem qe te kishin sadopak vemendjen e te tjereve dhe pikerisht ne momentin kur benin "karriere" u dukej vetja shume te rendesishem, flisnin per vende qe nuk i kishin pare ndonjehere, e kur vinte koha te largoheshin nga posti qe mbanin, thonin se do te zinin nje pozicion me te larte diku jashte.
Shkëlqimi dhe rënia e shokut Zylo
Dritero Agolli
Shkëlqimi dhe rënia e shokut Zylo
Dritero Agolli
July 21, 2014
too boring to finish it
February 11, 2023
Një ironi e hollë, sarkastike, por që e sheh të aktualizuar kudo që hedh sytë.
Të bën të qeshësh e të qash!
Të bën të qeshësh e të qash!
September 13, 2025
Shkëlqimi dhe rënia e shokut Zylo është një roman tipik shqiptar për mendimin tim. Agolli nëpërmjet Zylos dhe Demkës jo vetëm që arrin të kritikojë sjelljen e periudhës në të cilin është shkruar dhe vetë sistemin, por ka arritur ti bëj kritikën shoqerisë se sotme.
Këtë roman e mora nga bibloteka e qytetit tim me qëllim për ta lexuar për shkollë nën mendimin se nuk do të me pelqente, pasi letersia e periudhes komuniste nuk është ne shijet e mia. Pasi fillova leximin kuptova pse pelqehej kaq shumë Agolli. Kishte plot momente në të cilin libri bëhej I merzitshëm dhe kthehej në një libër pa fund. Në fund te ditës jam i lumtur që i dhash një shans Agollit.
4/5
Këtë roman e mora nga bibloteka e qytetit tim me qëllim për ta lexuar për shkollë nën mendimin se nuk do të me pelqente, pasi letersia e periudhes komuniste nuk është ne shijet e mia. Pasi fillova leximin kuptova pse pelqehej kaq shumë Agolli. Kishte plot momente në të cilin libri bëhej I merzitshëm dhe kthehej në një libër pa fund. Në fund te ditës jam i lumtur që i dhash një shans Agollit.
4/5
August 4, 2018
Ky liber eshte nje sukes i aritur nga Dritero Agolli. Nje liber me sens humori dhe me nje mesazh shume domethenes edhe ne ditet e sotme. E kam lexuar Shokun Zylo me nje fyme dhe e mbarova per nje periudhe shume te shkurter kohore. Me pelqeu jashtezakonisht shume dhe ja rekomandoj cdo lexuesi.
October 17, 2023
Lexuar në dy variantet. Në variantin e botimeve para viteve 90, disa skena rezultojnë të hequra. Në variantin e librit të kohës së sotme, është botuar i plotë.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 26, 2025
Shumë roman i bukur nga shkrimtari jonë i madh Dritëro Agolli që përmes kësaj vepre shfaqi jetën e viteve të komunizmit në Shqipëri, burokracinë e tepërt, nënshtrimin ndaj pushtetit dhe eprorëve, hipokrizinë mbarëpopullore dhe tendencën e shoqërisë për tu paraqitur sa më të ngritur intelektualisht dhe në çfarëdo aspekti tjetër për të siguruar një pozitë në këtë shoqëri. Më pëlqeu shumë sepse temat trajtoheshin shumë bukur, spontanisht, me humor dhe satirë, me një narracion intersant nga një personazh përbrenda veprës dhe mbi të gjitha detalizim i përshtatshëm për llojin e veprës që më bëri të ndiej një lloj nostalgjie të pabazë për atë kohë që nuk e kam përjetuar në të vërtetë por që prej veprave të këtilla do të mund të thoja edhe të kundërtën. Personazhet janë gjithashtu shumë të qëlluar dhe besoj se do i mbesin gjithkuj në mend emrat Demkë e Zylo.
February 9, 2023
A fantastic book with witty humour that brings a piece of the paradoxical reality of communism. The main protagonist and his adjutant are a sweet duo that goes through many adventures while trying to serve in the harsh dictatorship system.
September 14, 2023
It really shows the communism colors.
How one can get a rank in the society by leeching on someone but also how you can reach the bottom real fast and based on nothing factual just by the pure wish of those on power.
What communism really is... just abuse of power.
How one can get a rank in the society by leeching on someone but also how you can reach the bottom real fast and based on nothing factual just by the pure wish of those on power.
What communism really is... just abuse of power.
Want to read
August 5, 2020good
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Currently reading
January 10, 2021Shoku zylo
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 28, 2024
Dritero Agolli dhe librat e tij i kane sherbyer propagandes komuniste.
October 3, 2019
Kete liber e kishim ta lexonim me detyrim ne shkolle, gje qe e ben vete paksa te merzitshme leximin e tij. Asnjehere nuk i dihet cfare librash te japin per te lexuar ne shkolle, si dhe mbi bazen e cileve kritere i gjykojne qe na i japin.
Megjithate, nuk kisha pse te shqetesohem sepse Shkëlqimi dhe rënia e shokut Zylo eshte nje liber qe lexohet me nje fryme. Mua me ka mbajtur duke qeshur cdo 2-3 faqe dhe nuk me eshte dukur fare si detyrim qe ta lexoj.
Ja vlen te permend qe sensi i humorit mund te mos jete per kedo. Ka shaka qe behen ne kurriz te personazheve qe nuk e meritojne (e kam fjalen per Demken). Komentet thumbuese dhe te qelluara qe Agolli ben nderkohe qe e satiziron kete periudhe te hidhur te historise shqiptare mund te mos jene ne shijen e te gjitheve. Megjithate, une them qe eshte mire t'i jepet nje shans leximi ketij libri, ne mos vetem per faktin qe eshte nje nga librat me te lexuar te Dritero Agollit. Ne fund te fundit, libri takket gjate gjithe kohes me Zylon, nje njeri mendjemadh, servil, inkompetent dhe qe ka arritur aty ku eshte vetem sepse ka shfrytezuar dike tjeter te talentuar, por pa kurajo ose vetebesim. Ne komunizem ose jo, te gjithe njohim disa Zylo.
Me vjen shume keq qe Dritero Agolli nuk eshte me me ne qe te na dhuroje vepra te shkelqyera dhe te na nderoje me dhuntite e tij letrare. Nje tjeter pishtar i shkelqyeshmerise se letersise shqiptare, qe me ben te ndjehem fatlum qe t'ia lexoj librat ne shqipen origjinale, eshte shuar, por veprat e tij mbeten klasike te perjetshme.
Megjithate, nuk kisha pse te shqetesohem sepse Shkëlqimi dhe rënia e shokut Zylo eshte nje liber qe lexohet me nje fryme. Mua me ka mbajtur duke qeshur cdo 2-3 faqe dhe nuk me eshte dukur fare si detyrim qe ta lexoj.
Ja vlen te permend qe sensi i humorit mund te mos jete per kedo. Ka shaka qe behen ne kurriz te personazheve qe nuk e meritojne (e kam fjalen per Demken). Komentet thumbuese dhe te qelluara qe Agolli ben nderkohe qe e satiziron kete periudhe te hidhur te historise shqiptare mund te mos jene ne shijen e te gjitheve. Megjithate, une them qe eshte mire t'i jepet nje shans leximi ketij libri, ne mos vetem per faktin qe eshte nje nga librat me te lexuar te Dritero Agollit. Ne fund te fundit, libri takket gjate gjithe kohes me Zylon, nje njeri mendjemadh, servil, inkompetent dhe qe ka arritur aty ku eshte vetem sepse ka shfrytezuar dike tjeter te talentuar, por pa kurajo ose vetebesim. Ne komunizem ose jo, te gjithe njohim disa Zylo.
Me vjen shume keq qe Dritero Agolli nuk eshte me me ne qe te na dhuroje vepra te shkelqyera dhe te na nderoje me dhuntite e tij letrare. Nje tjeter pishtar i shkelqyeshmerise se letersise shqiptare, qe me ben te ndjehem fatlum qe t'ia lexoj librat ne shqipen origjinale, eshte shuar, por veprat e tij mbeten klasike te perjetshme.
August 9, 2024
I found it a satirical look at life under a repressive bureaucracy through the eyes of Demkë, a mild-mannered writer working at the Albanian Ministry of Culture. Tasked with endless report writing for his eccentric and increasingly paranoid superior, Comrade Zylo, Demkë navigates the absurdities of office politics. As Zylo rises in power, only to face a slow and inevitable downfall, the novel sharply critiques the pretensions and inefficiencies of those in power.
Currently reading
September 13, 2013ooooo
ë
ë
Read
September 13, 2013opppp
June 21, 2014
'ngritjet&reniet'...jo perhere mund te parashikohen
Read
August 19, 2014love this book
August 5, 2015
shume gallate, shume talles, per tullumbacet e fryra pushtetaret.
November 13, 2013
i love this book
January 11, 2015
The best ironic book you can ever find
February 17, 2019
liber shume per te qeshur do jua rekomandoja te gjitheve.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews