Doruntine

I have to admit, the main reason I'm doing this is to hopefully help any interested readers in knowing what the book is about, and in doing so, get them to experience the joy of reading it. I have read 'Doruntine' (originally in Albanian 'Kush e solli Doruntinën?') about half a dozen times, a fact that will probably not surprise the Kadare fans, especially the ones who have read 'The three-arched bridge'. A few times in Albanian, and then a few more in English, too, because I wanted to know how it is for non-Albanian speaking readers when they read his works. Of course, the level of satisfaction was not 100% the same as in Albanian, but the level of brilliance is most definitely the same in English (and probably in every other language), too. To truly enjoy this book, it would definitely help if one understood the concept of Albanian hospitability and 'besa' (the given word), both invaluable parts of Albanian history and tradition. However, the unique, easy, at times simple, but thought provoking style of writing Kadare's pen gives us is a good enough reason to be a captive of his world as long as one is reading the book. The story itself is based on a many centuries old balad about a young bride, Doruntina, and her nine brothers, of whom the youngest, Konstantin, rises from his grave to go and get her to see their mother, as he had promised (read: gave his 'besa') when she got married in a far away land. Of course, Kadare paints the picture with many other characters (in fact, the main characters are not based on the legend at all) and builds a pre-Ottoman Albanian world as if he were present at the time of the story (14th century). I don't wan't to reveal anything from the plot (hoping I haven't done so already), as I think it would be much more satisfactory if one opened this book knowing as less as possible about the story. Many times, while reading it, I have thought of which one of the books is better: 'Doruntine' or 'The three-arched bridge'? I could never get myself to decide, and I'm sure that whoever read 'The three-arched bridge' won't be surprised, that one being one of Kadare's best works. But, if 'Doruntine' isn't better, than it comes damn near to being so and is most definitely equal in that aspect. Please, for your sake, read this book.

Doruntine is set in the 11th or 12th century and is based upon an Albanian legend. The story of Doruntine is relatively simple - the only daughter of a large family marries a Bohemian man i.e. a two week trip home at best; the brother most attached to her gives his bessa that he will come for her when she needs to travel home; all nine brothers die in a plague infested war; three years later her dead brother comes for her, takes her home; she and her mother die.Kadare places this legend into the investigative hands of a local official Stres. In his investigation Stres is forced to realize the elusiveness of truth, the "necessary" dishonesty of authority, his own relationship with Doruntine and wife, the forward thinking ideas that made the brother troublesome. Stres ultimately opts for bessa, that elusive honesty and social contract.Don't start this book if you don't have time to read it straight through; it is riveting. However, it does have two flaws. First, in the context of a dead brother transporting Doruntine the comment that only Jesus Christ has arisen from the dead is used repeatedly; Lazarus appears to be forgotten. Secondly, while careful rereading might clear the confusion, I was left with a feeling of inconsistency between Stres' family life timeline and that of Doruntine's marriage. Perhaps I ought to knock a star off for these problems but Kadare is an exceptional writer - I gave him the benefit of the doubt.

I mean you never read a book like this before and I know it'll be difficuilt for you to understand how can it be that a promise break the chains of religion but this is the most powerful idea and the best written an author can write

I'm challenged by idea of reading "Doruntine" in English. I red it in albanian over and over and over again. An interesting to perfection albanian myth is transformed into a superb literature. Kadare has made all the right choices working towards these albanian-balkanian themes. The legend of Doruntine brought home by her dead brother Kostandin is a literature itself. Kadare walks further giving us a masterpiece.It is a political book too.The church, the police service, the prison bring to us the "lost empire of Arberia" then a totally christian domain. Forget the ideas; you should read the book because of style.

No doubt that this is one of the best books of this author. What is intriguing in this book is that you find yourself somewhere where there are no clear borders between reality and myth. The story is a simple one. Doruntina marrieds from her family far way from home, something her mother did not like. There is the promise of the youngest brother of Doruntina (Kostandin) that he would go and bring Doruntina home, whenever his mother would like to. That makes the mother to give the permission of the mariage. But in a short time all the boys of the family die, and the mother more than ever needs her doughter. And this has to be done from kostandin, no matter he is dead. He has given a promisse and he has to keep it.One day Doruntina showes up at her home pretending that it was her youngest brother that brougth her. Till the end of the book you dont know who brouth Doruntina back home. But you do realize that more than a person there are the fascinating Albanian customs who brougth her back home.