#the bridge on the drina

[dare-g]

The Bridge on the Drina

[capture4live]

[postcard-from-the-past]

Railway bridge on the Drina river in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Austrian vintage postcard

[chromalogue]

These past few months I’ve been trying to finish a bunch of unfinished library books so that I can delete the links from Overdrive.  There are, at last count, eighteen of them.  The overwhelming majority of them were books I auditioned for the themed reading lists for the magazine I worked for.  

The list had only a few rules: works of fiction related to that issue’s theme, only one cis straight able-bodied white guy per list, and no throwing anyone under the bus.  And since two of those three are easy to check out ahead of time, most of the books I started reading and abandoned, I abandoned because they threw someone else under the bus.  The book by the Indigenous author had fatphobic undertones, or the Eastern European book said some awful things about the Romani people, or the author from Latin America was ableist.  My boss always hated that I would exclude them on those grounds, but my reasoning was, with all the books out there that, like, don’t do that, why would I recommend ones full of hidden barbs for people, however well respected they are?

So now I’ve got this virtual stack of books that I don’t really like, that nonetheless have to be slogged through so that I can get them off my plate.  A pattern is developing.  I borrow them, read as much as I can stomach for the fourteen-day loan period, and then give a sigh of relief when they expire.  Then I put them on hold and do it all over again.  This month’s are A House for Mr. Biswas (a man suffering under the Trinidadian colonial system takes it out on his racist wife and kids) and Last Night at Twisted River (a heartwarming father-son tale about covering up the manslaughter of an Indigenous woman). 

[cesarecitypilgrim]

Costruire un ponte. Allenare lo spirito 6/Bridge Building. Spiritual Training 6

Costruire un ponte non è solo un modo per andare da una sponda all’altra di un fiume, raggiungere un’isola, collegare due vie. È mettere in contatto due parti, unire due opposti, aumentare le possibilità di conoscenza e di movimento. Costruire un ponte è anche un esperienza spirituale profonda che nell’antichità era riservata a pochi eletti, dotati di poteri magici e di conoscenze arcane.…

[driftlessarearev]

Translation Tuesdays: The Bridge on the Drina, by Ivo Adrić

Translation Tuesdays: The Bridge on the Drina, by Ivo Adrić

A series dedicated to literature in translation whether classic or contemporary. Via Originally published in 1945 as Na Drini Ĉuprija Translated from the Serbo-Croat by Lovett F. Edwards A Signet Classic from 1967 Yugoslavian literature, much like the nation forged in the aftermath of the First World War, stands unique in the field of European literature. The Bridge on the Drina, by Ivo…

[aperiodofhistory]

20 books in 2024

Another year, another year of a TBR pile. I'm really satisfied with my reading in the year 2023. I read some books I wanted to read for a long time. But still, I left some for the year 2024. So I'm transferring the remaining ones into this year, and adding a few more. I'm happy about the upcoming year, as I want to read a lot of fantasy.

The library of Babel by Jorge Luis Borges

Babel by Rebecca F. Kuang

Legends & Lattes by Baldree Travis

Fabric: The Hidden History of the Material World by Victoria Finlay

The Island of missing trees by Elif Shafak

Ways of being by James Bridle

The Gathering Dark: An Anthology of Folk Horror by various authors

The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follet

The return of the king by Tolkien

A game of thrones by Martin

Shakespearean: On Life & Language in Times of Disruption by Robert McCrum

A court of thorns and roses by Sarah J. Mass

Femina by Ramírez Janina

Anything by Ava Reid

The road by Cormac McCarthy

Red rising by Pierce Brown

Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer

Spinning silver by Naomi Novik

Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov

Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen

I'm tagging @artmill-danaan for its book list for the year 2024.

-------

Other read:

Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood

The Bridge on the Drina (Bosnian Trilogy, #1) by Ivo Andrić

Love and Friendship by Jane Austen

A court of Mist and fury by Sarah J. Mass

A court of wings and ruin by Sarah J. Mass

A clash of kings by Martin

An atlas of Tolkien

[lilium--bosniacum]

Mehmed-paša Sokolović Bridge on the Drina River. Višegrad, Bosnia, 1969.

[bayofwolves]

Rereading Against the Tide

After two months... we're so back.

Apologies once again for the impromptu hiatus! I'm excited to get back to these rereads. It's been a while, so I'll explain the purpose of these posts again: This is not a full analysis, but rather a compilation of details I find interesting or missed when I was a younger reader. I'm rereading the whole series to gather information for A Revised History of Erdas, so there may be some commentary from time to time on how I plan to change or expand on certain plot points.

Let's find out what horrors are in store for our heroes this time!

Finally, Abeke gets her own cover! My girl!! They change how Uraza looks on every cover, but I like how she looks here. I especially love the purple wisps coming from her; how cool would it be if that happened every time your spirit animal appeared out of passive state?

Erdas has the Fahrenheit scale, apparently. Well, that's gotta go. The top of Muttering Rock is about 200 degrees, or 93 degrees Celsius -- leagues hotter than anything ever recorded on Earth.

I forgot how horrifying this opening chapter was. Gerathon pushing a little boy's body past its limits just to deliver a message to Kovo... awful.

Abeke seems to have scar tissue pain, possibly due to nerve damage, from the stab wound Tahlia dealt her in Fire and Ice. She mentions that even though it has mostly healed, she still experiences pain there, particularly in colder weather. If only this hadn't been forgotten by the next book -- it would have been super interesting, in my opinion, to see one of our protagonists deal with lasting effects from an injury they received.

Meilin referring to Shane as Abeke's "Conqueror boyfriend" has been occupying space in my head since 2015. We should have had more of this energy. (I need to have one of the Conquerors or Redcloaks call Abeke Shane's Greencloak girlfriend in return. Drina most definitely would.)

Kalani and her people share similarities with the Māori of Earth. They have the same tattoos and concept of tapu.

Tangaroa is the name of the Māori atua (god) of the sea. I love finding little references to the Earth culture a region of Erdas was inspired by. They did the same with Tiddalik, Tahlia's water-holding frog, who shares a name with the real-life Australian legend he is based on.

I wish Abeke had gotten the chance to see Leopard, the baby orangutan, again. They were so sweet. Also, the authors should have kept this habit she has of rescuing baby animals going for longer. Picture this: She encounters something a little more deadly this time. Dotes on it for a bit and nurses it back to health or helps it find its way back to its family. It remembers how Abeke helped it, and in her hour of need comes to her rescue.

At least there's a cleansing ceremony (this presumably refers to noa) to rid someone of tapu. Now why didn't the authors have Kalani do this for Rollan in The Evertree instead of having her go against her beliefs for his sake? Man... I should have been in the writers' room.

"This quest is leaving a lot of burned bridges in our wake. I fear we, and perhaps all Greencloaks by extension, will no longer be so welcome afterward in places like this." YES! Finally, someone considers the consequences of their actions. It's back to "the ends justify the means" in the next paragraph, but at least there was this fleeting moment of realization.

Nightshade Island was wiped from the world maps after the First Devourer War, along with Stetriol. I wonder if there were other places associated with the Conquerors and/or Kovo and Gerathon that were deemed "tainted" and erased from the history books. This also prompts a nitpick from me -- I wish the maps shown at the beginning of each book were more tailored to the book/arc. They added the Evertree and the Petral Mountain range in the second arc, which is great, but I want a whole lot more of that detail. In the first arc, the map could have had Stetriol missing from it. We could have had its first appearance on Immortal Guardians's map, once the Greencloaks could deny their existence no longer. Other important locations deserved to be on there too, maybe being added book by book. Glengavin. The Lake of the Elephant. Samis (perhaps disappearing without further comment after Fire and Ice). Cabaro's oasis. Muttering Rock. Zourtzi. The Place of Desolation. The list goes on. They all deserved to be put on the maps! I rest my case!

Meilin casually saying "I can still control Jhi" sent a shiver down my spine. It's so out of place. Like, how can she have spent so much time with the Greencloaks and still be so fundamentally wrong about the spirit animal bond?

So Timote was the heir to the Hundred Isles before the Conquerors captured him. And knowing how male-dominated monarchies work, the other brother, Piri, would likely have taken the throne before Kalani even if he is younger than her. The Conquerors knew what they were doing by killing the previous rulers and taking their two male children hostage. They wanted to leave the Hundred Islanders leaderless. To totally incapacitate them. I bet they were in for a shock when Kalani proved her capability as queen.

Feliandor is wearing a red cloak in Rollan's vision. Most certainly a throwaway detail, but it didn't stop me from sitting up and pointing at the page when I read it.

Rollan sees something vaguely familiar in Feliandor's face, and we have to wait an entire book before learning that he must have been reminded of Shane, his descendant. Seriously, the foreshadowing for multiple big events in the first arc is really well done. I love discovering all the little hints pointing towards Shane being the true Devourer, or Meilin being the mole. This is one thing the many authors successfully worked together on.

While the vision on Nightshade Island is one of my favourite parts of the book, something bugs me about it. Why did only Rollan have this vision? Despite Tarik and Meilin being right beside him as it happened, neither of them saw what he did. It would have been a lot better if they all had the same vision at once. If the echoes of what happened on that island centuries earlier still linger, shouldn't they appear to anyone who visits? Why would it only be one person out of three?

Peleke, the Komodo dragon, poses a brief threat to Abeke, Conor and Kalani on Sunlight Island. Except... his species should go by a different name in this world. Komodo dragons were named as such because they originate from Komodo Island on planet Earth. This is such an easy fix. Just name any one of the Hundred Isles and have the species come from there.

Abeke instinctively knows how to ride Uraza, despite it being her first time doing so. Was she Tembo in another life? Kidding. She is his direct descendant in ARHoE, though.

God, the scene with Tarik saying goodbye to the Four and begging them to come back to him haunts me. Tarik will never see Abeke or Meilin again, and he will die not knowing if they are alive or dead. He will die believing that he failed them.

I'm really glad to see some development of Tarik here. For all his appearances and importance to our protagonists, he is quite a flat character. But here, we get a good look into his headspace. He loves the Four deeply, like a father should love his children. He doesn't want them to go where he can't protect them. He wonders if the Greencloaks are doing the right thing by sending such young people into battles they might not return from, still thinking about what Barlow said all the way back in Wild Born. I need to see more of this Tarik.

"[Rollan] wondered if he and his friends would survive long enough to see a day when they could just enjoy a place like this -- the sunshine, swimming with seals, the warm water." As soon as the war was over, the Four definitely came back to Oceanus and had a beach day. They deserve a vacation after all of this, and I'm positive they took many of them. It'll be fun to figure out what they all got up to in the year between arcs for ARHoE.

I've talked about this before, but I love all the moments that suggest the Four Fallen will one day return to their old forms. I don't believe this would happen in their human partners' lifetimes, but in any case, it would be cool to see it come to pass.

Despite both Mulop and Briggan being visionary Great Beasts, neither of them foresaw Kovo using Feliandor to start a war. How convenient for him.

Abeke is able to spot Shane in the mass of Conquerors by his blond hair, which makes me wonder: What if blond people were considered a rarity in Erdas? What if golden hair was a trait exclusive to Stetriol, and most of the world had never seen it before? That would be kind of fun. (Yes, I know there's Conor, but he's more of a redhead in ARHoE.)

"Not far below her, Uraza was grappling with a huge doglike creature that Abeke thought might be a dingo." I know it's mentioned a few paragraphs later that Tarik used books to teach her about animals that were foreign to her (which is really cute), but dingoes are native to Stetriol, which the Greencloaks effectively erased from existence. There are probably no encyclopedias still in circulation that include Stetriolan flora or fauna. My headcanon is that Shane told Abeke about the animals that are native to his homeland, and that's how she knows about dingoes.

"She drew her bow back and aimed, trying to ignore her thudding heart. The man stood on an outcropping, shouting orders at the fighters scrambling up behind him. Her sharp arrow tip was pointed directly down at Zerif's heart." The way this scene directly parallels Abeke's attempt to shoot infected Zerif in The Burning Tide... wow. Ignoring canon and thinking of ARHoE where she does kill him in the end, this was written in the stars. It is her destiny.

"Stabbing, scratching pain seared through her, but she gained control of one hand --" So resisting Gerathon's mind control can cause physical pain. Interesting.

I know Rollan was kind of forced to leave Meilin, but couldn't he have swooped in on Great Essix and carried Abeke out of there AT LEAST? Not even Meilin can fight a giant gyrfalcon.

Gerathon is not any good at controlling people, damn. Maybe she's rusty after so many years.

This was a great read, as they all are. It was a nice refresher after Fire and Ice, with all the callbacks to what our heroes had faced in the previous books. Seriously, Fire and Ice was a mess in terms of continuity. But Tui understood the assignment. My favourite parts of this one were the beautiful butch lesbian that is Kalani, Abeke becoming mom to another baby animal and riding Great Uraza Tembo-style, the Feliandor vision and Mulop, ever a delight to read. I really enjoyed the people and culture of Oceanus; so excited for Kalani to reappear in the coming books. And, of course, the reveal of Meilin being the mole all along was utterly perfect. The amount of thought and planning that went into this decision, the layers of foreshadowing building up to this horrible truth... it deserves all the praise.

We're at the lowest point we've ever been, and it's about to get even lower.

This is part of an ongoing series.

Wild Born | Hunted | Blood Ties | Fire and Ice | Against the Tide | Rise and Fall | The Evertree

Immortal Guardians | Broken Ground | The Return | The Burning Tide

Heart of the Land | The Wildcat's Claw | Stormspeaker | The Dragon's Eye

Tales of the Great Beasts | The Book of Shane | Tales of the Fallen Beasts

[saramalinovic]

Trip to Višegrad

Activity title: Trip to Višegrad

• Type of activity: Creativity,Activity, Service

• Duration: 11.-13.11.2023

Learning Outcomes

1. Identify own strengths and develop areas for growth

2. Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process

3. Show commitment to and perseverance in CAS experiences

Activity description:

Exploring Višegrad and learning more about Ivo Andrić

Reflection:

In Serbian lessons this semester, we covered the book 'The bridge on Drina' by Ivo Andrić. Our school therefore took us to Višegrad to learn more about the bridge, Višegrad and Ivo Andrić. This trip helped us to better understand the people of that time, but also to find out details from the life of Ivo Andrić that we cannot find on the Internet. Also, we had a great time in beautiful Višegrad, made new friends and strengthened existing ones.

[magiclove]

reading projects (reviewed september 2024)

start reading the classics of french literature in the original language in earnest (I've read a bit of poetry, and one or two famous novels)

back on academic-level historical non-fiction (focus: 18th and 19th century europe and asia)

russian literature: the idiot by dostoevsky ; the nikolai leskov stories I haven't read ; fathers and sons ; all tolstoy novellas (yes)

japanese literature - everything by natsume soseki and then we'll see where it goes from there

figure out if it would theoretically be possible to read every irish-language novel in print (but at least all the material in my dialect. and the highlight publications of each year)

author-specific completionism in english (anglo-saxon I mean) books: thomas hardy, viriginia woolf, that sort of thing

the very big european novels that I've missed - quo vadis is next on the list, then the bridge over the drina, then colette (c.f. french lit resolution). ulysses at some point, of they'll take away my citizenship

[uraandri]

trying to find the impalement scene from bridge on the drina but none of these translations are formatted right

[milosstojnic]

Exploring and Learning about Visegrad

Activity Title: Exploring Visegrad

Activity Description: As part of our exploration inspired by "The Bridge on Drina," we embarked on a two-day trip to Visegrad, the novel's central town. The excursion aimed to deepen our understanding of local traditions, culture, and the historical context depicted in the novel. Additionally, we seized the opportunity to visit the iconic bridge and delve into the life and work of Ivo Andrić.

Type of Activity: Creativity, Activity

Duration and Date: 3-day trip (11.11.2023. - 13.11.2023.)

Reflection:

Our journey to Visegrad was more than a simple excursion; it was an immersive experience that encompassed cultural exploration, historical enrichment, and personal growth. The learning outcomes from this CAS activity were diverse and enriching.

Demonstrate That Challenges Have Been Undertaken, Developing New Skills in the Process: Navigating an unfamiliar town, immersing ourselves in its history, and interacting with locals presented a series of challenges. In overcoming these hurdles, we developed skills in communication, adaptability, and cultural sensitivity. Each challenge was an opportunity for personal growth, transforming an unfamiliar experience into a source of newfound skills and knowledge.

Demonstrate How to Initiate and Plan a CAS Experience: From the initial concept of exploring Visegrad to the execution of the trip, we actively participated in planning and organizing the entire CAS experience. Collaborating with teachers, we developed a comprehensive plan that incorporated cultural immersion, historical exploration, and opportunities for personal reflection.

Show Commitment to and Perseverance in CAS Experiences: Our commitment to the exploration of Visegrad extended beyond the excitement of the trip. It involved pre-trip research, coordination, and active participation throughout the three-day experience. Regular involvement and enthusiasm demonstrated our dedication to the CAS journey.

Demonstrate the Skills and Recognize the Benefits of Working Collaboratively: Collaboration was integral to the success of our Visegrad exploration. Sharing responsibilities, combining our individual strengths, and addressing challenges as a team enhanced the overall experience. We recognized the benefits of collective efforts, fostering a sense of teamwork and cooperation. We also had a good time together :D.

Demonstrate Engagement with Issues of Global Significance: Exploring Visegrad allowed us to engage with historical narratives that hold global significance. It prompted discussions on cultural preservation, historical memory, and the impact of literature on shaping collective understanding. The experience broadened our perspectives and deepened our awareness of global issues.

In conclusion, our exploration of Visegrad transcended the boundaries of a conventional trip. It was a multifaceted experience that not only deepened our understanding of the novel's setting but also fostered personal and collective growth. The richness of cultural immersion, coupled with the challenges overcome, exemplified the transformative power of a well-rounded CAS activity.

[tangegraminem369]

Tag game

Thanks, @girldante, for the tag!

Currently reading : The Bridge on the Drina by Ivo Andrić

Last song : Cheri Cheri Lady by Modern Talking

Currently watching : nothing, because school is consuming me

Fic I'm currently reading : I don't really read fics

Current obsession : Ancient Roman poets, specifically Vergil

I tag @theromaboo, @ladjarica and an one else who wants to join the fame :)

[faustandfurious]

Since your posts about Tito i couldn't rest unless I asked you whether you read any yugoslavian literature or are you planning to (i know that not a lot of it got translated in english and i don't know what's your first language so I'm not sure how available that literature even is to you)

So far I've read Sarajevo Marlboro (which has to be one of my favourite short story collections ever) and Mama Leone by Jergović, and I'm working my way through Kin (Rod). Additionally I've read Bolla and My Cat Yugoslavia by Pajtim Statovci, which I guess isn't Yugo lit by the strictest definition, but it's not exactly not Yugo lit either. Then, of course, there's The Bridge on the Drina by Andrić, and nonfiction like Conversations with Stalin by Djilas. I have a good amount of nonfiction about Balkan history lined up, and I also want to check out Semezdin Mehmedinović at some point. I realise that this list is fairly Bosnia-heavy, so I'm happy to take recommendations for literature from the other former Yugoslavian states (or just more Bosnian literature), as for languages to read in, I can do English, German, or any of the Scandinavian languages.