“The Cellist of Sarajevo” is a novel written by Steven Galloway that tells the story of three people trying to survive in a city rife with the extreme fear of desperate times, and of the sorrowing cellist who plays undaunted in their midst. The novel is set during the 1990s Siege of Sarajevo, and it is a powerful exploration of the human spirit’s ability to endure in the face of overwhelming adversity.
The novel is based on true events that took place during the Bosnian War, which lasted from 1992 to 1995. The siege of Sarajevo, the capital city of Bosnia and Herzegovina, began on April 5, 1992, and it lasted for 1,425 days, making it the longest siege in modern military history. During this time, the city was subjected to daily shelling and sniper fire, and the population was cut off from food, water, and electricity.
Galloway’s novel is a tribute to the human spirit in the face of insanity, and it is a reminder of the power of art to inspire hope and healing in the darkest of times. The novel has been widely praised for its vivid portrayal of life during the siege of Sarajevo, and it has become a modern classic of war literature.
Author Background
Steven Galloway’s Biography
Steven Galloway was born on July 13, 1975, in Vancouver, Canada. He is a Canadian novelist and a former professor at the University of British Columbia. Galloway is best known for his award-winning novel, The Cellist of Sarajevo, published in 2008.
Galloway’s interest in writing started at a young age, and he pursued it by studying creative writing at the University of British Columbia. After completing his studies, he worked as a freelance writer and taught creative writing at the University of British Columbia.
In addition to his writing career, Galloway is also known for his involvement in various literary organizations. He has served as a board member for the Writers’ Trust of Canada and the Vancouver International Writers Festival.
Galloway’s writing style is characterized by his ability to create vivid and compelling characters. He has been praised for his ability to capture the human experience in his writing. The Cellist of Sarajevo is a prime example of this, as it tells the story of three people trying to survive during the Siege of Sarajevo.
Synopsis of ‘The Cellist of Sarajevo’
‘The Cellist of Sarajevo’ is a novel written by Steven Galloway that tells the story of three people who are trying to survive in a city that is under siege. The novel is set during the Bosnian War in the 1990s, and it is based on the true story of Vedran Smailović, a cellist who played his instrument in the streets of Sarajevo during the siege.
The novel follows the lives of three characters: Arrow, Kenan, and Dragan. Arrow is a young woman who works as a sniper for the Bosnian army. Kenan is a family man who risks his life every day to get water for his family. Dragan is an old man who has lost his family and is struggling to find meaning in his life.
The novel begins with the cellist playing Albinoni’s Adagio in G Minor in the streets of Sarajevo. The cellist’s music is a symbol of hope for the people of the city, who are struggling to survive in the midst of the siege. As the cellist plays, a bomb explodes nearby, killing 22 people who were waiting in line for bread.
Throughout the novel, the lives of Arrow, Kenan, and Dragan intersect as they try to survive in a city that is being destroyed by war. Arrow is sent on a mission to protect the cellist, while Kenan risks his life to get water for his family. Dragan, who is struggling with depression, finds hope in the cellist’s music.
‘The Cellist of Sarajevo’ is a powerful novel that explores the themes of hope, survival, and the human spirit. It is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
Characters
The Cellist
The Cellist of Sarajevo is a character who is inspired by Vedran Smailović, a real-life cellist who played his cello in the streets of Sarajevo during the siege. In the novel, the Cellist is a symbol of hope and defiance against the violence and destruction of the war. His music provides solace and comfort to the people of Sarajevo.
Arrow
Arrow is a young woman who is a member of a group of snipers defending the city against the Bosnian Serbs. She is a complex character who struggles with the morality of killing and the fear of being killed. Arrow is a skilled sniper who has a close relationship with her commander, Nermin Filipović.
Dragan
Dragan is a baker who risks his life every day to deliver bread to the people of Sarajevo. He is a kind and compassionate man who is deeply affected by the violence and destruction of the war. Dragan is a symbol of the resilience and courage of the people of Sarajevo.
Kenan
Kenan is a family man who is trying to survive the siege with his wife and children. He is a character who is deeply affected by the loss of his friends and family members. Kenan is a symbol of the human cost of war and the struggle to maintain hope and dignity in the face of adversity.
Themes
Effects of War
The Cellist of Sarajevo by Steven Galloway explores the devastating effects of war on civilians. The novel focuses on the Siege of Sarajevo, which occurred during the Bosnian War of the 1990s. The author portrays the impact of war on people who are not directly involved in the conflict. The characters are forced to confront the reality of war and the destruction it brings to their lives. The author highlights the psychological and emotional impact of war, which can lead to trauma and long-lasting scars.
Survival and Humanity
The novel also explores the theme of survival and the resilience of the human spirit. The characters in The Cellist of Sarajevo face numerous challenges as they try to survive in a war-torn city. They must make difficult decisions and sacrifices to stay alive. However, the author also emphasizes the importance of maintaining one’s humanity in the face of adversity. The characters show compassion and empathy towards each other, despite the difficult circumstances they find themselves in.
Isolation and Connection
Another theme explored in The Cellist of Sarajevo is the tension between isolation and connection. The characters in the novel are isolated from the rest of the world due to the siege. They are cut off from their families, friends, and the outside world. However, they also form connections with each other as they try to survive. The author shows how people can find comfort and support in each other, even in the midst of a war. The characters’ connections with each other provide a glimmer of hope in an otherwise bleak situation.
Historical Context
Siege of Sarajevo
The backdrop of Steven Galloway’s novel, “The Cellist of Sarajevo,” is the Siege of Sarajevo. The siege began on April 5, 1992, as a result of tensions arising between the Serbs, Croats, and Bosniaks living in the new country of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The capital city of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sarajevo, was under siege for 1,425 days, making it the longest siege in modern military history. During this time, the city was cut off from the outside world, and its citizens were subjected to constant shelling, sniper fire, and shortages of food, water, and electricity. The siege ended on February 29, 1996, with the signing of the Dayton Accords.
Bosnian War
“The Cellist of Sarajevo” takes place during the Bosnian War, which lasted from 1992 to 1995. The war was fought between the three main ethnic groups in Bosnia and Herzegovina: the Serbs, Croats, and Bosniaks. The war began after Bosnia and Herzegovina declared independence from Yugoslavia, and the Serbs, who wanted to remain part of Yugoslavia, began a campaign of ethnic cleansing against Bosniak and Croat civilians. The war resulted in the deaths of an estimated 100,000 people and the displacement of over 2 million people. The war ended with the signing of the Dayton Accords on December 14, 1995.
Literary Significance and Criticism
The Cellist of Sarajevo is a novel that has received critical acclaim for its portrayal of the human condition during times of war. The use of imagery in the book is stark and bleak, giving readers a look at war-torn Sarajevo and those who inhabit its once-beautiful streets. The author, Steven Galloway, focuses on destroyed buildings, gutted streets, explosions, and sniper fire, and people simply trying to survive. He also, though, gives us small images of hope, such as the cellist, Dragan saying.
The novel has been praised for its universal resonance and the way it tells the story of three people trying to survive in a city rife with the extreme fear of desperate times, and of the sorrowing cellist who plays undaunted in their midst. The book’s literary significance lies in its ability to create a vivid picture of the effects of war on ordinary people. It shows how people can come together in times of crisis and how music can be a source of hope and inspiration.
Critics have praised the book for its honest and unflinching portrayal of the horrors of war, while also acknowledging its ability to uplift and inspire readers. The book has been compared to other works of war literature, such as All Quiet on the Western Front and The Things They Carried, and has been hailed as a modern classic.
Narrative Structure and Style
The Cellist of Sarajevo by Steven Galloway is a novel that is structured around the perspectives of four characters. The narrative style is third-person limited, which means that the reader sees the story through the eyes of each character, but only one at a time. This technique allows the reader to understand the thoughts and feelings of each character while also maintaining a level of distance from the events of the story.
The novel is divided into four sections, each of which focuses on a different character. The sections are not presented in chronological order, but rather in a way that allows the reader to see how the characters’ experiences intersect and overlap. This non-linear structure adds depth to the story and allows the reader to see the impact of the siege on each character in a unique way.
Galloway’s writing style is simple and direct, but also poetic and evocative. He uses vivid imagery and sensory details to bring the setting of Sarajevo to life, and to convey the emotional experiences of the characters. The dialogue is sparse but effective, and the characters’ inner monologues provide insight into their motivations and fears.
Symbolism
The Cellist’s Music
The music played by the Cellist in the novel is a symbol of hope and resilience in the midst of war. The Cellist’s decision to play his cello in the street, despite the danger of being shot by snipers, is a powerful statement of defiance against the brutality of war. The music he plays is a reminder to the people of Sarajevo that there is still beauty and humanity in the world, even in the darkest of times.
The Bread Queue
The bread queue is a symbol of the struggle for survival in the novel. The people of Sarajevo are forced to queue for hours to get a loaf of bread, which is often in short supply. The bread queue symbolizes the hardships faced by the people of Sarajevo during the siege, and the lengths they are willing to go to in order to survive.
Sniper’s Alley
Sniper’s Alley is a symbol of the danger and uncertainty of life in Sarajevo during the siege. The alley is a notorious location where snipers target civilians, making it one of the most dangerous places in the city. The constant threat of being shot by a sniper is a reminder of the fragility of life during war, and the fear and anxiety that come with it.
Reception and Reviews
The Cellist of Sarajevo by Steven Galloway has received critical acclaim for its portrayal of the Siege of Sarajevo. The novel has been praised for its ability to capture the human experience of war, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
The book has received positive reviews from a variety of sources, including Kirkus Reviews and Goodreads. Kirkus Reviews notes that the novel is a “gripping portrait of a city under siege,” while Goodreads praises the book for its “haunting melody of resilience.”
The novel has also been the subject of discussion guides and book clubs, with many readers finding the book to be both thought-provoking and emotionally impactful. The York Daily Record notes that the book is “perfect” for book clubs, and that it “offers a unique perspective on the human experience of war.”