I really enjoyed Ian Christoff’s book. It gave me an insight into a world that I knew existed but of which I had limited knowledge, and Christoff’s series of short tales has gone some way to extending my awareness of the lives of comrades in Bulgaria. It was certainly an entertaining way to learn about what could be seen as a dark episode in that country’s history and its emergence from it.
Each tale stands separately within the book and we are introduced to all manner of characters from all walks of life. There are factory workers and professors; husbands and wives; soldiers and engineers; drunkards and the devout. Christoff’s style reminded me of fables, where it is less about the characterisation of the people and more about the message of the tale. Saying that, clear descriptions are given of the motivations and aspirations of the people concerned and occasionally, as readers, we see them, through dialogue, interacting with their peers, superiors and contemporaries.
Despite the constraints of communism, there are people who inevitably prosper as a result of their position or connections, sometimes abusing the power they have been given, whilst there are those who never seem to get a break and Christoff’s stories show this inequality in its very human form, for example, the teacher who knows just which children to pick on without reprisal. This is where the satire comes in.
It was also present in the humour that permeated the book. As with all writers who have a good knowledge of human nature, Christoff is able to poke fun at his creations through the narrative, pointing out flaws. I think, for me, the book would have benefitted from more dialogue between characters as sometimes the stories were heavy on narratorial bolstering and personally, I like to explore characters through what they say, supported by the directions written by the author that shape the circumstances, the setting and the characters’ inflections and gestures as they speak.
However, there is nothing to jar here, the book being well-written, flowing throughout and if short stories are something that you enjoy and you’re looking for something a bit different about a subject with which you are unfamiliar especially if you love history, then this is a good book to choose.
Scuffed Granny 