Borja Lasheras

Hard as he tries to elevate local voices, and god bless him for it, this really is the author's own testimony, although made so much better by his attempt to elevate local people and their own experience. We, his readers, outsiders seeking to understand Bosnia, still do so through Borja's filter. What a lucky mistake that Borja's filter is stupendous.

My first reaction when beginning this book was "here we go, a journalistic New York Times Weekend Magazine-style take, full of colour but devoid of content, and where it gets to saying anything at all it will all have been in the service of power."

My second thought, as I continued reading, was "wow, this man writes better than the new york times." His writing is so soft, easy, artful, agreeable. He just writes so gosh-darned well. Where does one learn to write like this?!

And finally, about halfway through, it begins to dawn on oneself that one's first reaction was utterly wrong. This is absolutely not an empty form, assertively not so much aesthetic flaunting empty of serious engagement. He is not just ticking boxes. There is indeed bravery and real substance here. There is a subjectivity that is acknowledged, claimed and argued for. There is an important critique of power here. And it is difficult to disagree with it.

The world is made better by people like Borja. And his writing. He ought to do much more of it.

In the meantime, read this book.… (mehr)