Landscape Painted with Tea

It's difficult to comment on this book because this is a book that almost defies comment. One has simply read it...or one hasn't. It is the lucky one who has.In this lyrical and playful novel, Milorad Pavic tells the story of Belgrade architect, Atanas Svilar and his journey through life, a journey he hopes will answer the question, "why had his life been barren and futile, despite the enormous effort invested?"His journey leads him to an ancient monastery on Mount Athos in Greece, that holy mountain reserved for men, a mountain where no woman has set foot for centuries, the mountain where Atanas' father disappeared during World War II.Since Atanas doesn't find all he is seeking on Mount Athos, in Book Two, he abandons his family, changes his name to Atanas Fyodorovich Razin and moves to the United States with the beautiful Vitacha Milut. There, something goes his way at last, and he becomes wealthy, at least in a material sense.Like Pavic's first book, "Dictionary of the Khazars," "Landscape Painted With Tea," is a playful enterprise containing chapters that can be read "down" or "across," much in the same way a crossword puzzle is read. The person who solves the solution to the ultimate puzzle is said to have the key to the solution to the puzzle of life. While I didn't find the key to life in these pages, I did find fun and enjoyment, and, not surprisingly, quite a bit of beauty. So much so that I'm recommending the book to all of my friends.If stark realism is what you enjoy, you'd probably be better off skipping this book. Those who love writers who can spin magic with words, who are playful and inventive as well as creative, will no doubt love "Landscape Painted With Tea" as much as I did. "Dictionary of the Khazars" made me a Pavic fan; "Landscape Painted With Tea" has simply cemented my admiration for this playful and inventive author.

Usually, I do not read the reviews when buying books, and similarly, never write them. However, when it comes to writings of Milorad Pavic, it is difficult to remain indifferent. Unfortunately, he is not too well known in the United States, and only few of his books had been translated. Pavic's characters, or rather, settings, seem to be appearing from a different dimension, the existence of which, we all feel instinctually, but unable to grasp with our senses. Landscape Painted with Tea, is in many ways similar to the paintings of Salvador Dali; it is surreal, it can be perceived on many different levels, each with its own beauty and mystery, and yet, being a part of the whole. Also, people either love it, or hate it, no one, however, remains cold or untouched by it. Just as the unusual twists of Pavic's imagination lead his unsuspecting readers deeper and deeper, layer by layer, into a world where fantasy and reality meet, so the readers' perception alters depending on the surroundings. Thus, if you read one of his novels during the day, your impression will be different from that of the morning or evening readings, and so on. Landscape Painted with Tea also can be compared to a dream, sometimes, strange, and sometimes leaving you guess about its true meaning, but always fascinating. Well, a praise, however high, will not suffice - you must read it for yourself! I hope, you will enjoy it!

Milorad Pavic has been my favourite writer since I chanced upon a copy of Dictionary of the Khazars in 1993. Everything about that novel was enthralling, and I wondered how he would ever be able to equal it. So I approached Landscape Painted With Tea with some trepidation. However, in my view, it is superior to Dictionary, in language, themes, plot, ideas, conceits, characters, and everything else you can imagine. Most of the reviews I've read concerning Landscape are cautious, usually praising its originality but expressing doubts about the rigidity of its structure. Take it from me, this novel is beautifully constructed, but unlike Dictionary, an appreciation of its complex structure isn't necessary for an engrossing read. However, the reason I prefer it to Dictionary is because of its extreme lyricism -- Pavic's style is phenomenal. His use of outrageous metaphors, stupendous conceits and absurdly profound dialogue is intoxicating, like angel-flavoured absinthe. Anyway, the point of this review is to express my enormous love for Pavic's fiction, and this novel in particular. He's knocked most of my other favourite writers down like skittles. Indeed, I find myself growing increasingly bored with all other writers, and I find myself waiting for his new books like an impatient lover.