Girl at War: A Novel

This is a debut novel? Whaaaa ...? Bought it a couple of years ago as a daily deal. Kicking myself for leaving it in my to-read pile so long. This book made me google-stalk the author beyond the norms of decency. I'm hoping that the clues she dropped about her newest project will translate into "novel". (She's got a non-fiction book coming out later this year, but ... girl, please ... more novels!)I was completely immersed in Ana's childhood. I loved her personality and her friendship with Luka. The level of detail was perfect: the story played out like a movie in my mind. I could've read an entire book from that point of view. A lot of child-POV books don't quite pull it off; this one does.It is jarring, the mix of this idyllic childhood with war. Not our US version of newspaper-TV war, but hurry-get-to-the-shelter war. Zig-zag-when-you-run war.-- Adult-Ana looking back: "The country was at war, but for most people the war was more an idea than an experience, and I felt something between anger and shame that Americans—that I—could sometimes ignore its impact for days at a time. ... What war meant in America was so incongruous with what had happened in Croatia—what must have been happening in Afghanistan—that it almost seemed a misuse of the word." --I lived in Hungary for some years, and occasionally traveled to Croatia and Bosnia for work. This was in the late '90s and early 00s. Seeing the effects of the war off the TV screen and in front of my face was sobering. Trees growing up through bombed-out buildings where laundry was hanging off a rail-less balcony. Barefoot kids jumping close to traffic, trying to sell trinkets or cigarettes. People with missing limbs. The raised, wooden sidewalks constructed all over our work sites to ferry folks safely over any live mines. The lack of those sidewalks where the locals lived. I had dinner one night with two childhood best friends who'd been on opposite sides of the war and had recently found each other again. They talked about having wondered if they were were shooting at each other during firefights.I only saw the after. This story pulled me in and made me feel the during. That it was from a child's point of view was heartbreaking and harsh.The adult-Ana parts didn't grab me quite as much, and it was there where I found myself with some "But why ..." moments. No spoilers, but I wanted more information on her and her sister's experiences after the first part of the story. Why certain choices were made about their upbringing -- around family history, what was/wasn't told to them, language, etc. I do, however, think the adult parts were necessary to tell this story. The effects and how she had to cope didn't end when the war did.As others have said, the ending was abrupt. It took me surprise -- you know, when you flip back to make sure you didn't miss something. But actually, after reflecting, I'm okay with the ending. I think the author laid it out enough so that you get an idea of where things are going. She leaves it with some hope.Kudos to the author on a powerful, riveting first novel. (And pleasepleaseplease write more novels. 'Kay, thanks.)

Dynamic tale of a girl who survived the war between Serbia and Croatia, from her childhood through migration to America to attending college to returning to her hometown. Although a fictional character, her experience is that of many children of that time and is realistically portrayed. And although it shouldn’t matter and the storytelling doesn’t show it, I was particularly proud that the author is Deaf.

Unbelievable read - picked it up on whim, because I am interested in that part of the world (since I lived in Sarajevo for 2 years) and the wars that broke up Yugoslavia and this book hit all the right notes. It follows the story of Ana, a 9 year old when the Croatian War of Independence breaks out. Ana's baby sister, Rahela is sick and has to be medivac'ed out of Croatia to America for kidney surgery. Its at this point the story twists and really takes off. You are flashed forward to Ana living in America at the age of 20 or 21, at college in New York City.Despite the author having only lived in Croatia for a small period of time, she captures the feel of life there both before and after the war. It is the after the war that I'm more familiar with (having lived there in 2013 and 2014) and I was very impressed by how accurately the author gets the feel and mood of the psyche of the people who live there now, having survived a war and accompanying terrible atrocities. The way everyone seems to suffer from some form of PTSD but nothing is talked about, how the countryside continues to bear the marks of battle, how the war continues to color life.I also liked the pace of this book, she kept it moving but still you were able to experience the tragic events as they unfolded. Novic didn't linger on unnecessary details but gave you just enough to fill in the picture.I wish more people knew about this book, it should be on best seller lists, despite it being a work of fiction, Novic is one of the few I've read who gets the feel and mood of that part of the region just right (from my experience).Highly recommend for all, great for book clubs!

I would recommend this book. It is a touching story.

Based on the Yugoslavian war during the 1990’s, the story, captivating from the first page, is divided into four parts and moves back and forth through time.1991: Ana leads the life normal life of a school aged girl until division comes and neighbors base friendliness on accents and ethnicity. Bombings and airstrikes change the pattern of their daily lives. Food shortages, black outs, gunfire and death become the norm. On the particular day Ana’s parents seek help to save their baby daughter, Ana’s sickly sister, tragedy strikes and Ana’s life changes forever. To survive and stay alive, Ana joins bands of warrior children.2001: Ana lives a normal life in New Jersey with her family, has a boyfriend, and is a student of English Literature in Manhattan. Ana has everything that she wants except peace in that she cannot put the war and the atrocities behind her. Ana decides to return to Croatia and confront the ghosts of the past.The novel, descriptive and succinctly written, offers the Croatian view of the war and is the author’s first novel. The author has lived in both Croatia and the U.S. and currently resides in Queens, NY.

I've previously read a couple of novels based in and around this conflict but don't know a huge amount about it. This novel seems to review well so thought I would try it.It had 316 pages, a pleasing font and regular sized chapters making the book comfortable to read. At the start there are two maps showing the area pre and post conflict which is very useful as the story moves on.Using a child as the main character during the war works really well as the reader sees the innocence whilst they learn about the horrors alongside Ana (the 10 year old tomboy). Making her a tomboy adds another facet to the plot as situations can be explored from both female and male perspectives.We are moved forward in time to see how Ana's life develops and then back again to fill in gaps and provide her with resolution.This is a very complicated conflict and focusing on one small child allows the reader a deep degree of understanding. It's easy to engage with Ana and want her to be settled.I found the book very calming to read, finding myself able to observe the conflict and see it's effects on the individual.

I've long wanted to read a novel that dealt with this period of time in the Balkans, as I feel so underread on the subject. Like the narrator, I was a young child at the time of the events so I think this made it hot home even harder. Novic writes absolutely beautifully so that, despite the upsetting subject matter, it's easy and enjoyable to read. The main and secondary characters paint a portrait of how things must have been for these people.When I ended it, I then went and read about the places and events mentioned in the book and sat on the sofa crying all night. It's an important book. I hope to read more like it.

Loved this book. Shocked and distressed by the twist early on. Very much enjoyed the writing and style. Felt some parts a little undeveloped, eg. the meeting at the UN, the actual twist itself, and the ending left me wanting somewhat. Eager to read more fiction nd non-fiction about this conflict, which as the narrator states at one point, was observed but basically left to flourish by the international community.

I loved this. Completely gripped from the start, and raced through it. Well done Sara Novic for giving us all a better understanding of what a civil war in Europe can look like not in the past but (almost) now, and the impact that it would have on a child that experiences it. Highly recommended.

Beautiful book! Very insightful if you are interested in knowing more about the history and some facts of Serbian or Croatian war. And it can connect to much more deep situations nowadays!