The Bridge on the Drina is a vivid depiction of the suffering history has imposed upon the people of Bosnia from the late 16th century to the beginning of World War I. As we seek to make sense of the current nightmare in this region, this remarkable, timely book serves as a reliable guide to its people and history.
"No better introduction to the study of Balkan and Ottoman history exists, nor do I know of any work of fiction that more persuasively introduces the reader to a civilization other than our own. It is an intellectual and emotional adventure to encounter the Ottoman world through Andric's pages in its grandiose beginning and at its tottering finale. It is, in short, a marvelous work, a masterpiece, and very much sui generis. . . . Andric's sensitive portrait of social change in distant Bosnia has revelatory force."—William H. McNeill, from the introduction
"The dreadful events occurring in Sarajevo over the past several months turn my mind to a remarkable historical novel from the land we used to call Yugoslavia, Ivo Andric's The Bridge on the Drina."—John M. Mohan, Des Moines Sunday Register
Born in Bosnia, Ivo Andric (1892-1975) was a distinguished diplomat and novelist. He was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1961. His books include The Damned Yard: And Other Stories, and The Days of the Consuls.
Anonymous
Posted November 14, 2001
Is there much about this book to be said? It is without a doubt the best piece of literature to come out of the former Yugoslavia in the past century. Whoever wants to find out more about present conflicts in the Balkans MUST first read about the history of this region. And for that, Andric is by far the best source. Velimir R.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Posted February 16, 2004
This novel describes the life in Bosnia during Turkish rule throughout the ¿life¿ of the bridge on Drina. It's actually describing the whole rule of Ottoman Empire over small Bosnian bridge and cities it connects, from the beginning to the end. The actual perish of Ottoman reign over Bosnia is symbolized in the very last sentence of the novel. This is a great book that uncovers life in Bosnia in very vivid, terrified and truthful way, but only those who understand the history of Bosnia throughout centuries can appreciate it. Also Ivo Andric with his addictive writing adds more beauty to it. I would recommend it to everyone.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted February 4, 2003
In one historical book we expect to find satisfaction because we are belonging to world. Situation in Bosnia is not beautiful. In this chronological happenings situation is twisted between two sides of the river. There is a bridge. Writer in vivid detail describes sad and stupid nature on the borders of the Earth and that is what is it about. We can see people today with the same feelings like people before and nothing changes. In our bridges we can find place for a heart and Bosnia could be, geographically, place where hearts meet. There are many tremors, stubbornness, sacrifices, and emptiness but this country is where is my heart. In my moods I can't find satisfaction because is so impossible to repair this situation from yesterday and today and nothing can change this. Reading peaces of world's masters helps people to find strong root that can't send them on wrong side of the bridge.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted September 27, 2005
Great historical novel. If you want to understand conflict between Serbs and Muslims in Bosnia or ex-Yugoslavia than read this book. Even now, after all those wars, situation is almost same, one bridge, two sides, two nations and bigger gap between them and few wars more behind their back. Unfortunately, past is still their future. And do you know what is really sad? Their mother is same, but during the centuries some of them change their religion to protect their families.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Tieing the story of a culture and the history of a people to the story of the bridge on the drina was such a wonderful idea by the author and it is truely a great way to tell a history. I thought maybe that the nobel prize for this book may have been a subjective kind of thing like and oscar or a grammy, but this is truely a masterful book. Much beeter the commercial renderings I am used to reading. I only can imagine how wonderful it must have been to read in the native language. I was a little worried as the first tale is a rather graphic depiction of an impaling, but as graphic as it was, it hooked me and the remainder the book was equally engaging. I feel closer to the balkin people and understand them better as a result.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted June 26, 2003
The book was recommended to me by my teachers, they said it would really catch my attention. I began to read it without any doubt that it would be good (since most books are). I found as i read on that not only was it boring it wasn't fun. No major descriptions, only about the surroundings. When they got to talking about a person it was quick and un detailed. I have written books myself that have been far more interesting.
0 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Posted December 30, 2008
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Overview
The Bridge on the Drina is a vivid depiction of the suffering history has imposed upon the people of Bosnia from the late 16th century to the beginning of World War I. As we seek to make sense of the current nightmare in this region, this remarkable, timely book serves as a reliable guide to its people and history.
"No better introduction to the study of Balkan and Ottoman history exists, nor do I know of any work of fiction that more persuasively introduces the reader to a civilization other than our own. It is ...