Igor Štiks Books
September 17, 1977
Igor Štiks is an author whose works delve into the complex themes of identity and nationhood, often exploring the historical and political turmoil of the former Yugoslavia. His writing is characterized by profound philosophical insight and meticulous literary craft, offering readers compelling reflections on citizenship and post-conflict societies. His prose, frequently set against dramatic historical backdrops, mirrors his own experiences and academic background, resulting in narratives that resonate with depth and significance. Štiks confronts challenging questions to produce work that is both intellectually stimulating and emotionally impactful.
A Castle in Romagna
- 128 pages
- 5 hours of reading
Separated by centuries, extraordinary lives intertwine in this award-winning novel of tragic love, political intrigue, and war. In 1995, at the height of the Bosnian conflict, a young refugee visits the old Mardi Castle in the north of Italy. There, instead of only experiencing the beautiful fortress and Renaissance frescoes, he becomes enthralled with the story of the tragic fate of poet Enzo Strecci, who spent his last days awaiting death in the castle's dungeon. A Franciscan guide, Niccolò, a refugee as well, will illuminate the past in remarkable ways for the curious tourist. The fascinating and moving tale reaches back not only to Strecci's life--four centuries earlier--and the doomed passion for a woman, politics, and poetry that became his downfall, but also to Niccolò's own life, love story, and fateful escape from the brutal conflict between Stalin and Tito. Before the friar's story is over, three men will be connected, regardless of time and space, by fates aligned by love, betrayal, and politics--and a bittersweet nostalgia for lost home. Revised edition: This edition of A Castle in Romagna includes editorial revisions.
The Judgment of Richard Richter
- 300 pages
- 11 hours of reading
In this gripping, war-torn epic novel, author Igor Stiks, a nominee for the IMPAC Dublin Award, tells the story of a celebrated writer who travels to Sarajevo to unearth devastating family secrets and the lies that have defined his life. Author Richard Richter's mother and father were always phantoms, both parents having died by the time he was four. His life, now at a crossroads, has been a jumble of invention, elusive memories, and handed-down stories. But when Richard finds his mother's hidden notebook, written by her during World War II, he discovers a confession that was never meant to be read by anyone--least of all, her son. , p>Richard's quest for the truth about his life leads him to an embattled Sarajevo. In the chaos of the besieged city, he discovers something more: a transformative romance and unexpected new friendships that will change the course of his search. But fate has been playing with all of them. And just as fate determines the lives of the characters in his novel, a betrayal reaching back half a century has yet to loosen its grip--on Richard, on everyone he has come to love, and on those he has no choice but to try to forgive.
