The Cellist of Sarajevo is a unique book that illustrates the tragedy and devastation of wartime. It sets itself apart from other books in the sense that it is told from three different perspectives. This novel is comprised of many major themes, but it most primarily focuses on life .vs. death, and survival. The author takes a soft and poetic approach to this book, which makes it emotional and heart-wrenching. His vivid diction and imagery create an insightful and depressing view on strengthening yourself from whatever life throws at you. The stories of the four main protagonists, Arrow, Kenan, Dragan, and the cellist are told from a 3rd person narrative viewpoint, and each story narrows down to one main idea; never give up hope. The setting
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It gives the readers multiple different perspectives of how the siege is dealt with and how these people try to survive. Arrow is a soldier who questions her life and doesn't like to refer to herself as a killer. “I am Arrow because I hate all of them. The woman you knew hated nobody,” (Galloway, pg.13). I also admire the strategy that the author used to depict a soldier as a strong, independent woman. Kenan is the family man that risks his life to provide what's necessary for his wife and children to survive. His story is important to the reader because his character represents commitment over fear. He nearly gets killed retrieving water for his family, and his love for his family is what keeps him going. Dragan is particularly pessimistic, and lives a lonely life. He works as a baker and has been struggling to get back to his family since he sent them away to protect them. He dwells on the past and questions whether the old Sarajevo or the present Sarajevo he lives in is reality. The Cellist is the binding which ties everyone in the book together. He symbolizes the suffering throughout Sarajevo and is the main source of enjoyment and hope left in the war-torn city’s citizens. For 22 days, the cellist played Albinoni’s Adagio in memory of the 22 people who died from the bombing of the bakery. On page 74, Arrow explains that the cellist posses a warm glow, which stood out against the grey pavement beneath
It gives the readers multiple different perspectives of how the siege is dealt with and how these people try to survive. Arrow is a soldier who questions her life and doesn't like to refer to herself as a killer. “I am Arrow because I hate all of them. The woman you knew hated nobody,” (Galloway, pg.13). I also admire the strategy that the author used to depict a soldier as a strong, independent woman. Kenan is the family man that risks his life to provide what's necessary for his wife and children to survive. His story is important to the reader because his character represents commitment over fear. He nearly gets killed retrieving water for his family, and his love for his family is what keeps him going. Dragan is particularly pessimistic, and lives a lonely life. He works as a baker and has been struggling to get back to his family since he sent them away to protect them. He dwells on the past and questions whether the old Sarajevo or the present Sarajevo he lives in is reality. The Cellist is the binding which ties everyone in the book together. He symbolizes the suffering throughout Sarajevo and is the main source of enjoyment and hope left in the war-torn city’s citizens. For 22 days, the cellist played Albinoni’s Adagio in memory of the 22 people who died from the bombing of the bakery. On page 74, Arrow explains that the cellist posses a warm glow, which stood out against the grey pavement beneath