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Mother Tongue: A Saga of Three Generations of Balkan Women
*** A MUST READ FOR TRAVELERS TO CROATIA *** Mother Tongue is an exploration of lives lived in the chaos of a part of the world known as the Balkans. It follows the lives of three generations of women―Katarina, Zora, and Tania―over the last 100 years. It follows countries that dissolved, formed, and reformed. Lands that were conquered and subjugated by Fascists and Nazis and nationalists. Lives lived in exile, in refugee camps, in new worlds.Tania Romanov's story clarifies the history and geography of Croatia, Serbia and Montenegro by pulling you into the lives of real people. It makes those countries come alive. And through it all glows a love of language.
What language did you speak with your mother? What language did you speak with your father? What language did you speak with your brother? For Tania Romanov there are three different answers to those questions.
Did you speak your mother tongue with anyone except your mother? That is the most bizarre question of all. But for Tania Romanov, the answer is no. She spoke a unique language with her mother, one in which she is still fluent. And by the way, it was not her mother's native language.
The language is Serbian. Tania's mother was Croatian. Her father was Russian. Tania was born in Serbia, but left when she was six months old. She and her brother grew up in San Francisco speaking English. She didn't speak any language until she was two.
Tania doesn't know why she spoke Serbian, rather than Croatian, with her mother Zora. It never occurred to her to ask until she started writing her memoir. And by then, her mother was gone.
The country of birth listed on Tania's American passport changed four times in four successive renewals. Until the first time, she believed your country of birth was a fixed point. Today she knows better.
Go with her as she journeys through time and history looking for answers, and finding some.
What language did you speak with your mother? What language did you speak with your father? What language did you speak with your brother? For Tania Romanov there are three different answers to those questions.
Did you speak your mother tongue with anyone except your mother? That is the most bizarre question of all. But for Tania Romanov, the answer is no. She spoke a unique language with her mother, one in which she is still fluent. And by the way, it was not her mother's native language.
The language is Serbian. Tania's mother was Croatian. Her father was Russian. Tania was born in Serbia, but left when she was six months old. She and her brother grew up in San Francisco speaking English. She didn't speak any language until she was two.
Tania doesn't know why she spoke Serbian, rather than Croatian, with her mother Zora. It never occurred to her to ask until she started writing her memoir. And by then, her mother was gone.
The country of birth listed on Tania's American passport changed four times in four successive renewals. Until the first time, she believed your country of birth was a fixed point. Today she knows better.
Go with her as she journeys through time and history looking for answers, and finding some.
340 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2018
32 people are currently reading
199 people want to read
About the author
Tania Romanov
8 books39 followersA writer, traveler and award winning photographer, Tania Amochaev was born in Serbia and spent her childhood in San Sabba, a refugee camp in Trieste, Italy. She graduated from San Francisco’s public schools, the University of California, Berkeley, and the Stanford Graduate School of Business. She served as CEO of three technology companies, then founded the Healdsburg Literary Guild and the educational non-profit Public School Success Team.
Fluent in a number of languages including her native Serbo-Croatian and Russian, as well as French and Italian, her first book, Mother Tongue, follows the story of three generations of women in her family. She is currently writing a book that starts with her father's flight as an infant from Russia during the Revolution of 1917, follows him through life in Serbia, and to San Francisco’s Tsarist Russian community. The essay on her visit to her father's home village in the heart of Russia during repressive Communist times was published in Best Travel Writing, Volume 10.
Learn more about Tania and follow her blog at taniaromanov.com
Fluent in a number of languages including her native Serbo-Croatian and Russian, as well as French and Italian, her first book, Mother Tongue, follows the story of three generations of women in her family. She is currently writing a book that starts with her father's flight as an infant from Russia during the Revolution of 1917, follows him through life in Serbia, and to San Francisco’s Tsarist Russian community. The essay on her visit to her father's home village in the heart of Russia during repressive Communist times was published in Best Travel Writing, Volume 10.
Learn more about Tania and follow her blog at taniaromanov.com
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
April 25, 2018
If it were nothing else, Mother Tongue would be a poignant, dramatic memoir. But in an age when we're seeing vast populations of innocent people uprooted from their ancestral homelands by numerous political and economic imbroglios that have little to do with ordinary people, it is an incredibly timely and important book. The major takeaway for me was that anyone, ANYONE, can instantly become a refugee when inept and/or self-serving political leaders disregard the immense human capital at stake with each decision they make. Romanov describes a loving, hardworking family that has their country disappear beneath their feet and the family ripped apart repeatedly. Despite the upheaval, the loss of loved ones, the desperation of refugee camps and struggles attempting to fit into a foreign land, love and determination prevail...for the most part. Every battle has collateral damages and Romanov's battles are no different. For me, the difficult relationship that develops over time between Romanov and her mother is the most touching and the way in which that affection, frustration, and admiration fuse makes for a very engaging story.
September 4, 2021
I was born in former Yugoslavia and lived there until 1970 when i moved to the USA. Consequently, I was looking forward to reading this book. Alas, it was a great disappointment.
First the book is written in sophomoric, junior high school level of English. Second the author lived there for the first few years of her life and has only marginal feel for the spirit of the times and superfluous knowledge of the Serbo-Croatian language, although she claims otherwise. For example she uses the name "Slavica" and other diminutive names in the book, with a diacritical mark on letter c which makes the pronunciation awkward and wrong. It is irritating together with other Serbo-Croatian words in wrong form that she uses incessantly to prove the authenticity of the story.
It was a waste of my time and expectations.
First the book is written in sophomoric, junior high school level of English. Second the author lived there for the first few years of her life and has only marginal feel for the spirit of the times and superfluous knowledge of the Serbo-Croatian language, although she claims otherwise. For example she uses the name "Slavica" and other diminutive names in the book, with a diacritical mark on letter c which makes the pronunciation awkward and wrong. It is irritating together with other Serbo-Croatian words in wrong form that she uses incessantly to prove the authenticity of the story.
It was a waste of my time and expectations.
June 12, 2020
“What feels like home?”
A random chance meeting at a bank in Istria leads to a family reunion, over 50 years in the making. The author traces her mother & grandmother’s roots starting in Istria eventually moving to Serbia, Croatia, and eventually San Francisco. Unfortunately politics and national pride make for some uncomfortable moments. The dismantling of Yugoslavia is still raw. So much history of occupation and disarray. Changing borders, languages, customs and acceptances. Very fascinating family history but only read for part of my #ReadingEurope2020 challenge. One book set in every European city. This was for #Serbia
A random chance meeting at a bank in Istria leads to a family reunion, over 50 years in the making. The author traces her mother & grandmother’s roots starting in Istria eventually moving to Serbia, Croatia, and eventually San Francisco. Unfortunately politics and national pride make for some uncomfortable moments. The dismantling of Yugoslavia is still raw. So much history of occupation and disarray. Changing borders, languages, customs and acceptances. Very fascinating family history but only read for part of my #ReadingEurope2020 challenge. One book set in every European city. This was for #Serbia
April 4, 2020
I decided to start my year off with this read because I'll be traveling to Slovenia, Croatia, and Bosnia (mostly Croatia) late this summer. I wanted an introduction to the culture, language, and history of Croatia and its neighbors. I'm pleased to say I got all three and I ended this book with the drive to learn more.
On a different note, Romanov's storytelling is clean and easy to follow. She offers a great narrative of her family's history and how it all relates to a larger picture. I'd recommend this to anyone interested in the history and/or culture of Adriatic countries.
On a different note, Romanov's storytelling is clean and easy to follow. She offers a great narrative of her family's history and how it all relates to a larger picture. I'd recommend this to anyone interested in the history and/or culture of Adriatic countries.
January 6, 2021
I was drawn to this memoir because I also have a Croatian mother.
Instantly, Tania Romanov's warmth and vivid storytelling drew me into her inter-generational memoir of the history of her family that spans wars, Istria, occupations, Italy, the former Yugoslavia, Croatia, and America. It taught me so much! I laughed, and cried, and grew very attached to her mother, and grandmother as they continued to improvise lives as best as they could. I especially appreciated the way Romanov unravels the complexity of a multi-ethnic identity. This book kept me company through some of the pandemic and I was sad when it ended.
Instantly, Tania Romanov's warmth and vivid storytelling drew me into her inter-generational memoir of the history of her family that spans wars, Istria, occupations, Italy, the former Yugoslavia, Croatia, and America. It taught me so much! I laughed, and cried, and grew very attached to her mother, and grandmother as they continued to improvise lives as best as they could. I especially appreciated the way Romanov unravels the complexity of a multi-ethnic identity. This book kept me company through some of the pandemic and I was sad when it ended.
March 10, 2018
A captivating read about a family torn asunder due to nationalism, fragmentation, and political disputes. The Balkans region was very volatile and the author's grandparents kept moving to stay one stop ahead of trouble. Eventually, the author and her parents immigrated to the US. In the early nineties she took her mother back to the region and reconnected with family. A beautiful narration of a region that has known little peace, along with a great family saga. Thanks to Edelweiss for the advance copy.
August 5, 2018
When I wandered into a bookstore where the author was reading, I bought it on impulse as my mom is a writer and I wanted to support her. Also, I have Croat heritage and thought it might be interesting. It was. I was especially interested in her family's' response to the war/s as they were spread out over Serbia, Croatia and Bosnia. Very interesting and engaging because it's personal. I have a hard time retaining details about history, but when there is a way into personal lives, it sticks a bit more. I enjoyed this personal memoir.
November 20, 2024
Having recently traveled to many of the former Yugoslavian countries, this book connected me deeply to these beautiful Balkan countries with painful pasts. My interests grew during a tour in the Croatian city of Dubrovnik where a guide was the first person to speak about the atrocities of war, but even more about her proud Croatian heritage.
Mother Tongue elaborated of the pain, additionally providing cross generational struggles. Our world, our lives are not static. We cling to what matters most, po nasemu. I very much enjoyed every story.
Mother Tongue elaborated of the pain, additionally providing cross generational struggles. Our world, our lives are not static. We cling to what matters most, po nasemu. I very much enjoyed every story.
May 28, 2021
I’m fascinated with the Balkans and Eastern Europe, but it’s really hard to find books about this region that aren’t dry analyses of the World Wars or Communism. I enjoyed this book because I got a sense of Balkan history through the author’s lived experience, and that of her mother’s. At times the writing felt a little sophomoric but I ultimately devoured the book and walked away feeling attached to the characters and enriched with more knowledge about the complexities of the Balkans.
July 25, 2021
Good background on the Balkans
The real saga of a family, like so many that ends up separated in their own country. It delves into the history of the Balkans through Zola, the mother, and her daughter Tania. A family fleeing from the political chaos and persecution to the USA. They endured terrible hardships and desperation. Always conserving their language as a strong identity link to who they are. A very interesting book.
The real saga of a family, like so many that ends up separated in their own country. It delves into the history of the Balkans through Zola, the mother, and her daughter Tania. A family fleeing from the political chaos and persecution to the USA. They endured terrible hardships and desperation. Always conserving their language as a strong identity link to who they are. A very interesting book.
May 2, 2018
A beautifully narrated tale of a family, the homes they fled, and the lives they built. From the Balkans to San Francisco, Romanov expertly weaves the threads of relationships together with the tumultuous threads of history to create a story that is not only engaging and poignant, but that is also particularly important at this moment in our own history.
November 3, 2018
Enlightening story about the Balkans
The author brings the reader into life and conflicts of Balkan countries. From start to finish, I was entrenched not only into the family, but also to what it was like to live in this area that has suffered so much from war. Highly recommend this book.
The author brings the reader into life and conflicts of Balkan countries. From start to finish, I was entrenched not only into the family, but also to what it was like to live in this area that has suffered so much from war. Highly recommend this book.
July 4, 2019
A wonderfully engaging work depicting a three-generation, 100-year family history intertwined with the unceasing turmoil in the Balkans. Teams with insights into language as personal and political, family as shaped and reshaped by history, often forced immigration, and continual displacement. Many surprises and much new information will make you revise what you think you know about the Balkans.
August 18, 2018
Fascinating and well written story of family, history, grit, love, culture and more. Excellent!
December 14, 2019
Interesting story about the conflict in the Balkans and how it affected several generations of a family. Learned a lot.
August 24, 2020
Read this brilliant book on a one week sailing trip along Croatian Coast. Makes one appreciate the struggles these beautiful lands hide behind them.
April 1, 2023
A very interesting story. I appreciated both the history I learned, and the story of family. Well-written and engaging.
September 21, 2023
Captivating saga
Wonderfully captivating,astonishing, true story I will never forget! Katarina, Zora, and Tania will forever be in my heart. Highly recommend!
Wonderfully captivating,astonishing, true story I will never forget! Katarina, Zora, and Tania will forever be in my heart. Highly recommend!
June 1, 2020
Great book
The author 's family story is a story of so many families. This is also a history book with the accurate events and the affect of the events on families and ordinary people. I like the most that the book shows that all people in the Balkans can be seen as a large family instead of lasting enemies.
The author 's family story is a story of so many families. This is also a history book with the accurate events and the affect of the events on families and ordinary people. I like the most that the book shows that all people in the Balkans can be seen as a large family instead of lasting enemies.
April 24, 2018
I was hoping for so much more. I wanted to have what the title and the cover promised me. Instead, all I got was the regular indoctrination lesson young Yugoslavs are force fed as history. Three generations that start with the mighty Bronze Age. Which has a connection only in the shallow mind twisted by propaganda with a Slavs that currently inhabit the place. Groups of powerful people doing the usual nationalist politics are to the author some sort of antropomorphic deities, called peoples that want things and perform certain actions when required.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews