A review by jess_mango
S.: A Novel about the Balkans by Slavenka Drakulić

5.0

This book counts towards the Book Riot Read Harder 2019 Challenge task #10: a translated book written by a woman

4.5 stars.

Ooof. Let me process this one. More thoughts later.

S. is set in the early 90's during the Serbia/Bosnia conflict. S. is a teacher living in a village when soldiers gather her and other villagers up and bus them to a camp where the women are separated from the men. Some of the women are separated even further into the 'Women's Room' where they are at the disposal of the soldiers to do with what they will.

This book was powerful. It highlights the issues women and girls face during wartime when captured by "the enemy"...sexual assault, rape, torture. The women for the most part were in shock with their circumstances and became focused on self-preservation. While this definitely wasn't a light read I am very glad that I read it. I'm not afraid to admit that I got emotional at the ending.

warning: this book is not for anyone who may be triggered by discussion of sexual assault and rape.