An Italian general arrives in Albania to retrieve the dead bodies of Italian soldiers that were killed and buried during WW2. The novel portrays the struggles and complexities of this task, set against a backdrop of a bleak and grey landscape. The story delves into themes of personal histories, the repercussions of war, and the emotional toll it takes on individuals involved.

Characters:

Characters are deeply flawed, highlighting themes of existential crisis, with the general embodying pride that decays into despair.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style combines bleak prose with poetic descriptions, enhancing the themes of despair and existential struggle.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative explores the journey of an Italian general in post-war Albania, emphasizing the futility and emotional toll of his task to retrieve fallen soldiers' bodies.

Setting:

The setting is an unwelcoming and harsh Albanian landscape, contributing to the themes of despair and isolation.

Pacing:

The pacing is deliberate and slow, mirroring the arduous journey of the characters and the heaviness of their task.

RAIN AND FLAKES OF SNOW were falling simultaneously on the foreign soil. The concrete runway, the airport buildings, the soldiers guarding them were all soaking wet. The plain and the surrounding hill...

Notes:

The story takes place in post-World War II Albania, which is depicted as bleak and unwelcoming.

The protagonist, an Italian general, is tasked with retrieving the bodies of Italian soldiers buried in Albania.

The novel explores themes of permanence and the lasting impact of war on individuals and nations.

Kadare uses a foreign main character to provide a unique perspective on Albania's landscape and historical trauma.

Despite his early confidence, the general gradually becomes mentally and physically worn down by his task.

The general's only companion is a priest, which adds to the sense of isolation and distrust in the hostile environment.

Descriptions of Albania's harsh landscapes enhance the book's somber tone and reflect the general's despair.

The narrative avoids cliches, presenting an ending that shows the general succeeded in his task but at a personal cost.

Readers note that the book can feel slow and dragging, mirroring the protagonist's struggle.

Kadare is considered one of the most significant authors from Albania and has been nominated for the Nobel Prize.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

The book includes high content warnings for themes of death, trauma, and the psychological impact of war.

From The Publisher:

Twenty years after the end of the Second World War, an Italian general is despatched to Albania to recover his country's dead. Once there he meets a German general who is engaged upon an identical mission, and their conversations brings out into the open the extent of their horror and guilt, newly exacerbated by their present task. As they descend from the callous trivialities of their gruesome business, past and present, to suffering self-disgust, the author gives us glimpses of the lives of the people whose graves they are unearthing.

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About the Author:

Ismail Kadare is Albania's best-known novelist and poet. Translations of his novels have appeared in more than forty countries. He was awarded the inaugural Man Booker International Prize in 2005, the Jerusalem Prize in 2015, and the Neustadt Prize in 2020.

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The General of the Dead Army

Ismail Kadare