Death and the Dervish

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Extraordinaily condensed psychological drama - Rated
This book was commended to me a Bosnian Writer some years ago as Bosnia's finest written work, encapsulating in style and the characters in the book, the essence of Bosnia Culture.
The style of writing is so extraordinarily condensed, with such an exceptionally intense focus on analysis of a psychological nature,that it is easily one of the most difficult novels one can hope to read. Yet as you read, you cannot help but be struck by the sheer brilliance of a mind that can create such intense and demanding dialogue with its reader. Using the plot of a witnessed murder and the immense problems with conscience the witness thereafter experiences as a result of what he has seen, set in the backdrop of Ottoman Bosnia, a malevolent Byzantine like world of intrigue is revealed.
It is a truly astounding piece of work, doubtlessly as the Bosnian reviewer pointed out, needing patience and several readings, operating as it does on several levels.
If you want to get a strong feel for the Bosnian Culture, this book beyond any other will take you to the heart of this complex and talented people.

Complex indeed - Rated
This is not the kind of book that can be reduced to the sort of nationalist rhetoric indulged in by some reviewers. It is slow, ponderous and as some have suggested a difficult read but one that reveals layers and depths on subsequent readings. Despite what some would suggest this book is not about some mythic tortured Bosnian soul but the soul of a single individual in an undefined period of Ottoman rule in the Balkans. Reading it as lesson in Balkan history or of Turkish misrule would strike this reviewer as a misreading.The book focuses on Ahmed Nuruddin's chronic indecisiveness through a series of meditations informed by images gleaned from the Koran and the Islamic culture of the Balkans. This would suggest that it may be profitable to read this novel in parallel with modern poetry from Bosnia such as Abdulah Sidran or Hadzem Hajdarevic or with Turkish writers like Sadik Yalsizucanlar, Sezai Karakoc or Cahit Zarifoglu. Such a reading may move us away from simplictic nationalist interpretations and allow us to see that yes the Bosnians are indeed a complex people, one of many throughout the world.

Bosnian riddle - Rated
“Bismilahir-rahmanir-rahim!
I call for the witness Time that is the beginning and the end of everything and that tells how everyone human being is loser. “

Each chapter of this novel begins with verses from the Koran. Each verse is proverb or assumption how we are small and complicated, how in the end we are all equal for Death is something unavoidable; for beggar and for King. Dervish Ahmed Nurudin guides us through way or thinking that most of Bosnian Muslims grown up with. Not just Muslims even Christians and Jews grown in our cites and villages. Mighty be a reader that is not familiar with us asks, “Where is the difference”. The difference is that Bosnian Muslim world is much more irrational and unmaterialistic. One gain respect by deeds not by money. Our tragedy is that we were /are always colony to some Imperia. Turkish Imperia that brought Islam and made frame for converting from one old religion of Bogumils to something New. Ahmed tells about this colonization, the difference between Bosnian thinking and Turkish. – Master /Servant relations that in present days many Bosnian Muslims tend to forget. And search for friend where we never historical had them /read in the novel/.
They try to forget Time of fermans and hatisherifs /Sultans decisions many times on life and death sent to Bosnia and other provinces of the Great Empire/.
We are nation that needs many readings before summarizing and conclusion so do not be discouraged if you did not get a point after the first reading.

Bosnian mind - Rated
My short summary about this novel would be incomplete without telling something about us Bosnians. We are the most complicated people on this planet. Mr. Selimovic gives through this novel all segments of out mind. Ahmed Nurudin is me or any other Bosnian. Never tell the whole what he thinks and when you think, “I have got a point” you realize you are on the beginning. I have read this novel a few times in different age. The first time when I was 13. I did not understand much. This novel asks for mature reading that is familiar with hard readings. Do not miss read this novel especially if you have any connection to Bosnia. Read again chapters, enjoy in verses from the Holly Koran- each chapter begins with them. Happy reading.