A Dictator Calls

Set against the backdrop of Stalin's regime, the narrative delves into a pivotal phone call between Boris Pasternak and Stalin regarding the arrest of poet Osip Mandelstam. Ismail Kadare weaves together testimonies from notable literary figures and KGB archivists to explore the intricate relationship between literature and authoritarian power. This exploration transforms the historical event into a compelling mystery, reflecting on how political structures and artistic expression coexist and clash in a world fraught with danger and misunderstanding.