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The Cellist of Sarajevo

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The Cellist of Sarajevo Cover

ISBN13: 9781594483653
ISBN10: 1594483655
Condition: Standard
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Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

A spare and haunting, wise and beautiful novel about the endurance of the human spirit and the subtle ways individuals reclaim their humanity in a city ravaged by war.

In a city under siege, four people whose lives have been upended are ultimately reminded of what it is to be human. From his window, a musician sees twenty-two of his friends and neighbors waiting in a breadline. Then, in a flash, they are killed by a mortar attack. In an act of defiance, the man picks up his cello and decides to play at the site of the shelling for twenty-two days, honoring their memory. Elsewhere, a young man leaves home to collect drinking water for his family and, in the face of danger, must weigh the value of generosity against selfish survivalism. A third man, older, sets off in search of bread and distraction and instead runs into a long-ago friend who reminds him of the city he thought he had lost, and the man he once was. As both men are drawn into the orbit of cello music, a fourth character — a young woman, a sniper — holds the fate of the cellist in her hands. As she protects him with her life, her own army prepares to challenge the kind of person she has become.

A novel of great intensity and power, and inspired by a true story, The Cellist of Sarajevo poignantly explores how war can change one's definition of humanity, the effect of music on our emotional endurance, and how a romance with the rituals of daily life can itself be a form of resistance.

Review:

"I cannot imagine a lovelier, more beautifully wrought book about the depravity of war as The Cellist of Sarajevo. Each chapter is a brief glimpse at yet another aspect of the mind, the heart, [and] the soul." ZZ Packer, author of Drinking Coffee Elsewhere.

Review:

"Steven Galloway's The Cellist of Sarajevo is a wonderful story, a tribute to the human spirit in the face of insanity." Kevin Baker, author of Dreamland and Paradise Alley

Review:

"A grand and powerful novel about how people retain or reclaim their humanity when they are under extreme duress." Yann Martel, author of Life of Pi

Review:

"Indelible imagery and heartbreaking characters give authority to this chilling story and make human a crisis typically overlooked in literature." Kirkus Reviews

Synopsis:

The acclaimed and inspiring international bestseller that is a tribute to the human spirit.

In a city ravaged by war, a musician plays his cello for twenty-two days at the site of a mortar attack, in memory of the fallen. Among the strangers drawn into the orbit of his music are a young father in search of water for his family, an older man in search of the humanity he once knew, and a young woman, a sniper, who will decide the fate of the cellist — and the kind of person she wants to be.

Synopsis:

The acclaimed and inspiring international bestseller that is a tribute to the human spirit.

In a city ravaged by war, a musician plays his cello for twenty-two days at the site of a mortar attack, in memory of the fallen. Among the strangers drawn into the orbit of his music are a young father in search of water for his family, an older man in search of the humanity he once knew, and a young woman, a sniper, who will decide the fate of the cellist?and the kind of person she wants to be.

Synopsis:

The acclaimed and inspiring international bestseller that is a tribute to the human spirit.

In a city ravaged by war, a musician plays his cello for twenty-two days at the site of a mortar attack, in memory of the fallen. Among the strangers drawn into the orbit of his music are a young father in search of water for his family, an older man in search of the humanity he once knew, and a young woman, a sniper, who will decide the fate of the cellist?and the kind of person she wants to be.

About the Author

Steven Galloway teaches creative writing at the University of British Columbia.

What Our Readers Are Saying

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Average customer rating based on 11 comments:

DL, October 10, 2012 (view all comments by DL)
One of the best authors I have had the pleasure of reading in quite some time. I highly recommend this quick read. A difficult and heart breaking story about this war torn city. A wonderful example of the what the gift of music truly means.
Was this comment helpful? | Yes | No
Stephanie Winsor, August 19, 2012 (view all comments by Stephanie Winsor)
One of the most gripping books I've read in a long time. The author made you feel the daily terror of simple survival - and the cellist playing for 22 days was amazing. This is a book I will remember and reread.
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nana k, March 23, 2012 (view all comments by nana k)
This is a short book with a big message. The author follows 3 characters in Sarajevo for a short time during the siege. The brutality of war is vividly portrayed through their eyes. Though the author uses some historical context and some real events, it is a beautiful work of fiction. His characters are so real and their hopes and fears crawl into your heart. The cellist is an incredible catalyst and a view into the souls of the characters.

This book is a must read!
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(1 of 2 readers found this comment helpful)
View all 11 comments

Product Details

ISBN:
9781594483653
Author:
Galloway, Steven
Publisher:
Riverhead Books
Author:
Klam, Julie
Subject:
Literary
Subject:
War stories
Subject:
Snipers.
Subject:
Literature-A to Z
Copyright:
Edition Description:
Paperback / softback
Publication Date:
20090331
Binding:
TRADE PAPER
Grade Level:
from 12
Language:
English
Pages:
256
Dimensions:
7.12x4.96x.66 in. .46 lbs.
Age Level:
18-17

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Related Subjects


Fiction and Poetry » Literature » A to Z

The Cellist of Sarajevo Used Trade Paper
0 stars - 0 reviews
$7.95 In Stock
Product details 256 pages Riverhead Books - English 9781594483653 Reviews:
"Review" by , "I cannot imagine a lovelier, more beautifully wrought book about the depravity of war as The Cellist of Sarajevo. Each chapter is a brief glimpse at yet another aspect of the mind, the heart, [and] the soul."
"Review" by , "Steven Galloway's The Cellist of Sarajevo is a wonderful story, a tribute to the human spirit in the face of insanity."
"Review" by , "A grand and powerful novel about how people retain or reclaim their humanity when they are under extreme duress."
"Review" by , "Indelible imagery and heartbreaking characters give authority to this chilling story and make human a crisis typically overlooked in literature."
"Synopsis" by , The acclaimed and inspiring international bestseller that is a tribute to the human spirit.

In a city ravaged by war, a musician plays his cello for twenty-two days at the site of a mortar attack, in memory of the fallen. Among the strangers drawn into the orbit of his music are a young father in search of water for his family, an older man in search of the humanity he once knew, and a young woman, a sniper, who will decide the fate of the cellist — and the kind of person she wants to be.

"Synopsis" by ,
The acclaimed and inspiring international bestseller that is a tribute to the human spirit.

In a city ravaged by war, a musician plays his cello for twenty-two days at the site of a mortar attack, in memory of the fallen. Among the strangers drawn into the orbit of his music are a young father in search of water for his family, an older man in search of the humanity he once knew, and a young woman, a sniper, who will decide the fate of the cellist?and the kind of person she wants to be.

"Synopsis" by ,
The acclaimed and inspiring international bestseller that is a tribute to the human spirit.

In a city ravaged by war, a musician plays his cello for twenty-two days at the site of a mortar attack, in memory of the fallen. Among the strangers drawn into the orbit of his music are a young father in search of water for his family, an older man in search of the humanity he once knew, and a young woman, a sniper, who will decide the fate of the cellist?and the kind of person she wants to be.

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