Assessment:
Plot/Idea: Bylykbashi's striking memoir is an account of his family's painful ordeals following communist takeover of Albania and the subsequent impacts on Bylykbashi as he comes of age and relocates to the U.S., ever-determined to reunite with family members. Readers unfamiliar with the historical events will find the first-hand perspective to be hard-hitting and eye-opening.
Prose: Bylykbashi's prose is polished, expressive, and vivid. The work nicely blends evocative and visceral detail relating to the author's direct experiences, with broader historical insights anchoring the text.
Originality: BESA offers a moving chronicle of generational trauma and the resilience of family bonds in the face of profound adversity.
Character/Execution: Bylykbashi's narrative is unflinching, profound, and impactful. His reflections on family, the human capacity for unconscionable cruelty, and the liberation that can come through education, will leave an imprint on readers.
Date Submitted: January 31, 2024
