Maddy’s Reviews > Black Lamb and Grey Falcon > Status Update

Sarajevo 5

Incredible personal histories of both Franz Ferdinand and Gavrilo Princip. As Americans, I feel like we don't receive a sufficient education on WWI simply because we didn't play as big a role. I can't believe Balkan nationalism was the catalyst for "The Great War", we never learned about the politics of it all in school.

Sarajevo 4

Lots of reflection here. I'm mostly fascinated by the feminism she seems to have - at least white feminism... because sometimes she's weird about Muslim women. I suppose this is post-suffrage in the U.S., so timing makes sense, but her musings on it are interesting. I like her observations of the Bosnian highland women, she seems to admire them greatly.

Sarajevo 3

Very important government visitors from Turkey and... they seem to regard the Bosnian Muslims with disgust(?) and disappoint the crowds of people eagerly awaiting them. Very strange, I should actually read up on this visit because I'm curious about its context.

Sarajevo 2

Café chat about current Turk/Bosnian relations. Though the locals are content to live in harmony with the Muslims, they do not appreciate the Turkish government being paraded in their faces as if they did not just oppress them in the past centuries. Interesting. I had no idea Bosnia was so culturally diverse like this.

Sarajevo 1

Bosnia, baby! Learning about the history of Bosnia (and at times specifically Sarajevo) and its entanglement with the Turks. I need to learn more about Bogomilism and the Janizaries, they sounded interesting and quite important in Bosnian history (maybe).

Mostar

Made it to the city where the bridge on the book cover was (is... sort of) located. Lots more speculations about Muslims, and much less racist this time. I need to look up this clothing the narrator is talking about, because I cannot believe her currently. Anyway, next up: Bosnia!

Trebinye

First venture into Herzegovina. Narrator and husband are a bit racist towards the Muslims and Turks they meet, so I don't like that. I would like to see this city, as well as the river Ombla that she makes seem as if it goes underground for part of its journey? Interesting. As always, many musings on the peoples' past and how it shapes their current character.

Tsavtat
Perast
Kotor
Home by Gruda

Speed run through some coastal cities. They sound lovely and scenic, nestled into the seaside. Lots of churches.

Dubrovnik (Ragusa) 1

Narrator was not a fan of this place, so we didn't get much of her musings as she wandered. Did get a history lesson that I found very interesting. I specifically liked the Republic's government and its caution for term limits to deter a cult of personality from emerging that would allow a dictator to assume power. I should read more about their government, because it seemed very progressive.

Korchula 2

Boat ride to explore the islands surrounding Korchula. Their guides showing prideful points and the general character of their people. A revelation that they were descendants of ancient (pre-Christianity) Greeks that had made their way to these islands. I'm interested in the quarry and the sea captains' village of sorts.