Once Upon a Yugoslavia: When the American Way Met Tito's Third Way

Focusing on the personal experiences of individuals in pre-1989 Eastern Europe, the narrative explores how these lives shaped one woman's pursuit of the American Dream. Through vivid descriptions of daily life in Yugoslavia, the author delves into the complexities of "Yugo-nostalgia," highlighting both its allure and drawbacks. Surya's interactions with a variety of colorful characters, from travel companions to romantic interests, reveal the contrasts between American and Yugoslav societies, all while she navigates a society marked by surveillance and paranoia.