This wonderfully written book is a
fascinating
tale of legends, beliefs, politics and
a lost way
of culture.
It is a story set in Albania when the
German tanks advanced
over the border during the war years
and subsequently the communist
take-over of power.
The story is written on several levels.
Firstly, it is a very personal oxes, wolves
and human story of two doctors who
worked the hospital in the
town of Gjirokaster. Their names were
Mr Big Gurameto and Mr Little
Gurameto. They were unrelated. Big
Gurameto had studied in Germany and
Little Gurameto had trained in Italy.
Both doctors were dedicated to their profession.
The esteem which they were held in by
the general populace often fluctuated depending upon the rise and
fall of the respective countries in the polictical environment of the
time.
Secondly, it is also a story of
Albanian honour and hospitality.
Thirdly, it is associated with legends
and stories of the Albanian culture.
It is also a breathtaking story for its
beauty and scope. Geographical locations
are described and illuminated with
clarity. The foxes and wolves of the hills, the mountains of Lunxheria,
the little villages, the ladies from
the great aristocratic houses and the stone city are described
beautifully and with wonder. Albania
at one time was a beautiful place.
The story also fascinates.
It is as though Mr Big Gurameto has a
mirror of his life
held up to him and shining within him.
His destiny? Or he wishes he could change it.
From small and generous gestures of
generosity and hospitality a previous occasion
comes back to haunt him in unexpected
ways. This was the occasion of his generosity
towards a German colonel whom he had
known from his student days in Germany.
There is so much more to this story.
And what a story it is! Perhaps it was his mind playing tricks on
him.
And no wonder! From small childhood
beliefs and legends, the story seemed to grow.
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