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Free: Coming of Age at the End of History
'We never lose our inner freedom; the freedom to do what is right'
Lea Ypi grew up in one of the most isolated countries on earth, a place where communist ideals had officially replaced religion. Albania, the last Stalinist outpost in Europe, was almost impossible to visit, almost impossible to leave. It was a place of queuing and scarcity, of political executions and secret police. To Lea, it was home. People were equal, neighbours helped each other, and children were expected to build a better world. There was community and hope.
Then, in December 1990, everything changed. The statues of Stalin and Hoxha were toppled. Almost overnight, people could vote freely, wear what they liked and worship as they wished. There was no longer anything to fear from prying ears. But factories shut, jobs disappeared and thousands fled to Italy on crowded ships, only to be sent back. Predatory pyramid schemes eventually bankrupted the country, leading to violent conflict. As one generation's aspirations became another's disillusionment, and as her own family's secrets were revealed, Lea found herself questioning what freedom really meant.
Free is an engrossing memoir of coming of age amid political upheaval. With acute insight and wit, Lea Ypi traces the limits of progress and the burden of the past, illuminating the spaces between ideals and reality, and the hopes and fears of people pulled up by the sweep of history.
Lea Ypi grew up in one of the most isolated countries on earth, a place where communist ideals had officially replaced religion. Albania, the last Stalinist outpost in Europe, was almost impossible to visit, almost impossible to leave. It was a place of queuing and scarcity, of political executions and secret police. To Lea, it was home. People were equal, neighbours helped each other, and children were expected to build a better world. There was community and hope.
Then, in December 1990, everything changed. The statues of Stalin and Hoxha were toppled. Almost overnight, people could vote freely, wear what they liked and worship as they wished. There was no longer anything to fear from prying ears. But factories shut, jobs disappeared and thousands fled to Italy on crowded ships, only to be sent back. Predatory pyramid schemes eventually bankrupted the country, leading to violent conflict. As one generation's aspirations became another's disillusionment, and as her own family's secrets were revealed, Lea found herself questioning what freedom really meant.
Free is an engrossing memoir of coming of age amid political upheaval. With acute insight and wit, Lea Ypi traces the limits of progress and the burden of the past, illuminating the spaces between ideals and reality, and the hopes and fears of people pulled up by the sweep of history.
313 pages, Paperback
First published October 28, 2021
1,407 people are currently reading
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About the author
Lea Ypi
12听books343听followersLea Ypi is professor of political theory at London School of Economics, and adjunct associate professor of philosophy at the Australian National University, with expertise in Marxism and critical theory. A native of Albania, she has degrees in philosophy and in literature from the University of Rome La Sapienza, a Ph.D. from the European University Institute and was a post-doctoral prize research fellow at Nuffield College, Oxford University. Her latest book, a philosophical memoir entitled 鈥淔ree: Coming of Age at the End of History,鈥� published by Penguin Press in the UK and W. W. Norton & Company in North America, won the 2022 Royal Society of Literature Ondaatje Prize and the Slightly Foxed First Biography Prize. She lives and works in London.
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July 30, 2022Over the years, I have grown wary of the literature (both fiction and non-fiction) produced around Albanian communism and its immediate aftermath. If not going the route of sterile allegories, those who write about Albania's past tend to portray life under Communism in a way that flattens all complexities for the sake of condensing as much pain on the page as possible. And there are several reasons for that, chief being a belief in the power of narrative to bring about justice. But more often than not these stories are published because they respond to the Western market's demand for such narratives, often to justify the need for the neoliberal reforms pushed by the EU and the NGO industrial complex.
Free does not fall into any of these traps. It is nuanced, oftentimes hilarious, a masterful blend of the personal and political, and above all original in its confrontation with Communism and Albania's long transition into a liberal and "democratic" country.
From this side of history (and especially to Western readers), there are many aspects to life under Communism that may seem absurd, or improbable. And in reading about those experiences, there can be a tendency to exoticize them, or to feel pity, both on the part of the reader and the writer. It ends up feeling too expository or not genuine. But Ypi manages to sidestep this minefield by inhabiting and writing from the position of the child she used to be, a charming kid who took everything at face value. In doing so, the complex mechanisms of Communism are always present, but rarely interrogated, which allows us to live as little Lea lived: loving xhaxhi Enver and believing in Stalin, yes, but also exchanging gum wrappers for a chance at a sniff, and feeling genuine happiness at having an empty can of Coke to display on top of the TV.
This first section had me in stitches. It felt so real, including the tendency to remember communism through the lens of humor. There is this frank quality to Ypi's writing that manages to capture the atmosphere of Albania in those years. I can't quite explain it, unless you've experienced it yourself. It's all in the details really, the brands, the shops, the classes, the vocabulary that managed to survive the end of Communism through the decades.
But if the first part of Ypi's book is brilliant in its narrative, the second portion - focusing on Albania in the early 90s - is an absolute tour de force. It is harrowing, poignant, and a masterful analysis of the policies that led to the 1997 civil war; it is also a brilliant takedown of the groups and ideas that were meant to make of Albania a "western" democracy, with a "market economy" and the human costs of these "structural reforms."
It is astounding to read how the vocabulary of neoliberalism swiftly replaced a socialist vocabulary; and what's even more astounding is to realize that it's been 30 years, and we are still stuck in the same carousel. It's the same organizations and structures making the same promises and demands; the same dreams of achieving European standards, of being told to fight for freedom, and rule of law -- all while institutions like the World Bank recommend that our government lower its minimum wage requirements to attract more investments. At a time when, the minimum wage requirement is not enough to survive on. And as people leave en masse, Western-sponsored media publish articles where they speak of lazy Albanian workers who are no longer willing to work for scraps, thus "requiring" companies to hire foreign workers. Meanwhile, Albania's putative socialist Prime Minister jokes that foreign workers are better for business because they don't speak Albanian and thus can't unionize.
This is a thought-provoking book that I'm going to return to over and over. I did have some minor qualms. As an Albanian reader, I found some of the exposition a bit jarring, and I could always feel the Albanian vocabulary underneath the English, which made it a clunky reading experience at times. The discussion about freedom felt forced in, especially toward the beginning. But still, a wonderful read that doesn't fall into the trap of forgetting that life under a so-called authoritarian regime can be just as uneventful and routine as life anywhere else. Sometimes it's just life.
Free does not fall into any of these traps. It is nuanced, oftentimes hilarious, a masterful blend of the personal and political, and above all original in its confrontation with Communism and Albania's long transition into a liberal and "democratic" country.
From this side of history (and especially to Western readers), there are many aspects to life under Communism that may seem absurd, or improbable. And in reading about those experiences, there can be a tendency to exoticize them, or to feel pity, both on the part of the reader and the writer. It ends up feeling too expository or not genuine. But Ypi manages to sidestep this minefield by inhabiting and writing from the position of the child she used to be, a charming kid who took everything at face value. In doing so, the complex mechanisms of Communism are always present, but rarely interrogated, which allows us to live as little Lea lived: loving xhaxhi Enver and believing in Stalin, yes, but also exchanging gum wrappers for a chance at a sniff, and feeling genuine happiness at having an empty can of Coke to display on top of the TV.
This first section had me in stitches. It felt so real, including the tendency to remember communism through the lens of humor. There is this frank quality to Ypi's writing that manages to capture the atmosphere of Albania in those years. I can't quite explain it, unless you've experienced it yourself. It's all in the details really, the brands, the shops, the classes, the vocabulary that managed to survive the end of Communism through the decades.
But if the first part of Ypi's book is brilliant in its narrative, the second portion - focusing on Albania in the early 90s - is an absolute tour de force. It is harrowing, poignant, and a masterful analysis of the policies that led to the 1997 civil war; it is also a brilliant takedown of the groups and ideas that were meant to make of Albania a "western" democracy, with a "market economy" and the human costs of these "structural reforms."
It is astounding to read how the vocabulary of neoliberalism swiftly replaced a socialist vocabulary; and what's even more astounding is to realize that it's been 30 years, and we are still stuck in the same carousel. It's the same organizations and structures making the same promises and demands; the same dreams of achieving European standards, of being told to fight for freedom, and rule of law -- all while institutions like the World Bank recommend that our government lower its minimum wage requirements to attract more investments. At a time when, the minimum wage requirement is not enough to survive on. And as people leave en masse, Western-sponsored media publish articles where they speak of lazy Albanian workers who are no longer willing to work for scraps, thus "requiring" companies to hire foreign workers. Meanwhile, Albania's putative socialist Prime Minister jokes that foreign workers are better for business because they don't speak Albanian and thus can't unionize.
This is a thought-provoking book that I'm going to return to over and over. I did have some minor qualms. As an Albanian reader, I found some of the exposition a bit jarring, and I could always feel the Albanian vocabulary underneath the English, which made it a clunky reading experience at times. The discussion about freedom felt forced in, especially toward the beginning. But still, a wonderful read that doesn't fall into the trap of forgetting that life under a so-called authoritarian regime can be just as uneventful and routine as life anywhere else. Sometimes it's just life.
December 24, 2022
*3.5 stars *
It鈥檚 always fascinating to read of other cultures, and Lea Ypi鈥檚 memoir of growing up in Albania is no exception. Albania was the last Stalinist state in Europe, and as such, very little was known about it. That all changed with the creation of independent political parties, bringing about the fall of communism, just a year after the fall of the Berlin Wall.
If some Albanians thought they were already free, they were about to discover what real freedom meant. It would be a time of many firsts, as the Ypi family traveled to Greece, the birthplace of Lea鈥檚 grandmother, and a time when Lea鈥檚 parents finally dared to admit that their country had been an open-air prison for almost half a century. They wouldn鈥檛 have dared express such an opinion previously!
Sometimes sad, sometimes amusing, Lea Ypi鈥檚 memoir brings both communist and post communist Albania vividly to life. It鈥檚 a country I knew very little about, so it was both interesting and informative, and although I thought it was a little rushed at times, it was still well worth the read.
*Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Press UK for an ARC in exchange for an honest unbiased review*
It鈥檚 always fascinating to read of other cultures, and Lea Ypi鈥檚 memoir of growing up in Albania is no exception. Albania was the last Stalinist state in Europe, and as such, very little was known about it. That all changed with the creation of independent political parties, bringing about the fall of communism, just a year after the fall of the Berlin Wall.
If some Albanians thought they were already free, they were about to discover what real freedom meant. It would be a time of many firsts, as the Ypi family traveled to Greece, the birthplace of Lea鈥檚 grandmother, and a time when Lea鈥檚 parents finally dared to admit that their country had been an open-air prison for almost half a century. They wouldn鈥檛 have dared express such an opinion previously!
Sometimes sad, sometimes amusing, Lea Ypi鈥檚 memoir brings both communist and post communist Albania vividly to life. It鈥檚 a country I knew very little about, so it was both interesting and informative, and although I thought it was a little rushed at times, it was still well worth the read.
*Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Press UK for an ARC in exchange for an honest unbiased review*
September 20, 2024
Who would have thought that a book about a society in transition, the last years of communism, and the hopes and disillusionment after the fall of the socialist regime in Albania would be so fascinating? This memoir was a page-turner for me.
The author tells us about her childhood and teenage years in Albania in a friendly and honest manner. At times, it was like talking to a friend whose complex and often conflicting feelings you could easily understand. The author's voice felt authentic. Lea Ypi talks about traumatic experiences with a certain irony and sarcasm.
"But if there was one lesson to take away from the history of my family, and of my country, it was that people never make history under circumstances they choose."
We follow Lea, who lives in socialist Albania with her parents, grandmother, and younger brother.
She goes to school, where she is taught how privileged she is to be born in this country.
Lea has to be grateful to the Party leadership for living a peaceful and free life with so many opportunities open to her.
"The Party was above us, but it was also deep inside. Everyone, everything, came from it."
Unfortunately, millions of people around the world are oppressed and marginalized. Their country has many powerful detractors, including the US, the USSR, and Yugoslavia. However, even they will eventually see the benefits of the socio-economic model and way of life in Albania under socialism. All these preachings make a strong impression on the girl who has been in this system since her birth.
Lea's parents have always tried to protect her by not casting doubt on her belief in the official propaganda tropes.
I cannot help but think that this easily understandable desire to shield your child under an authoritarian regime can produce a generation of people, many of whom grow up to be true believers. They have not been exposed to alternative viewpoints, not only at school but also at home.
Lea is precocious, impressionable, and curious about the present moment and her family history. The story of her parents and grandparents intrigues her. She cannot figure out why her grandfather had to leave his family to study at the university for many years. Why are her parents not fascinated by Enver Hoxha*? Why are they reluctant to have his photo in their living room?
She has yet to learn that the right answers require the right questions. If Lea asked the right question, she would find out that her grandfather had been in jail for many years. The state viewed him as a dangerous and obnoxious element.
Lea witnesses the beginning of what looks like a new era when you do not have to toe the line anymore. Instead, you learn about civil society, tax declarations, corruption, and pyramid schemes.
The collapse of the socialist regime and the new freedoms brought great hope to many people in Albania. For many, however, those big expectations were to be replaced by frustration brought on by increasing financial difficulties, the threat of civil war, and a palpable sense of hypocrisy surrounding them.
"The West had spent decades criticizing the East for its closed borders, funding campaigns to demand freedom of movement, condemning the immorality of states committed to restricting the right to exit. Our exiles used to be received as heroes. Now they were treated like criminals."
The author skillfully blends her personal story with that of her homeland and with commentary on political and economic issues. She reflects on socialism vs. capitalism. How do the liberal and socialist traditions interpret the ideas of freedom and human dignity? Can the concept of socialism be divorced from the experience of many Eastern European听countries? Is it possible to separate a set of ideals from practice?
"Everything that went wrong on my side of the world could be explained by the cruelty of our leaders or the uniquely backward nature of our institutions. They [Lea's foreign friends] believed there was little for them to learn. There was no risk of repeating the same mistakes, no reason to ponder what had been achieved, and why it had been destroyed. Their socialism was characterized by the triumph of freedom and justice; mine by the failure of these ideas to be realized. Their socialism would be brought about by the right people, with the right motives, under the right circumstances, with the right combination of theory and practice."
This book is a delicate reflection on memory, history, and identity, how we treat them, or perhaps how they treat us. Should we remember the past with all its follies? Or would it be better to let it go? Can memories of past tragedies and traumas prevent us from committing new mistakes and injustices? Is remembering always more healing than oblivion? Can we choose what to remember and what to forget?
This memoir also makes you think about the meaning of freedom, the connection between freedom and responsibility, between freedom and the recognition of moral duty.
Lea's mother believed in the survival of the fittest and that people were naturally inclined to be aggressive.
Lea's father, on the other hand, believed in human kindness and "a kernel of goodness in everyone. He blamed dysfunctional societies for the prevalence of a dark side of human nature and always tried to help those in need. If someone is considered weak and outcast by society, in most cases it is not their fault. They deserve compassion, not contempt.
The author's grandmother knew how to face the blows of fate and remain resilient, witty, and empathetic. Despite the many difficulties of the present, she was not nostalgic for her past and the privilege into which she had been born and raised.
"She had never ceased to be responsible. Freedom, she said, is being conscious of necessity."
*Enver Hoxha ruled the country until he died in 1985.
The author tells us about her childhood and teenage years in Albania in a friendly and honest manner. At times, it was like talking to a friend whose complex and often conflicting feelings you could easily understand. The author's voice felt authentic. Lea Ypi talks about traumatic experiences with a certain irony and sarcasm.
"But if there was one lesson to take away from the history of my family, and of my country, it was that people never make history under circumstances they choose."
We follow Lea, who lives in socialist Albania with her parents, grandmother, and younger brother.
She goes to school, where she is taught how privileged she is to be born in this country.
Lea has to be grateful to the Party leadership for living a peaceful and free life with so many opportunities open to her.
"The Party was above us, but it was also deep inside. Everyone, everything, came from it."
Unfortunately, millions of people around the world are oppressed and marginalized. Their country has many powerful detractors, including the US, the USSR, and Yugoslavia. However, even they will eventually see the benefits of the socio-economic model and way of life in Albania under socialism. All these preachings make a strong impression on the girl who has been in this system since her birth.
Lea's parents have always tried to protect her by not casting doubt on her belief in the official propaganda tropes.
I cannot help but think that this easily understandable desire to shield your child under an authoritarian regime can produce a generation of people, many of whom grow up to be true believers. They have not been exposed to alternative viewpoints, not only at school but also at home.
Lea is precocious, impressionable, and curious about the present moment and her family history. The story of her parents and grandparents intrigues her. She cannot figure out why her grandfather had to leave his family to study at the university for many years. Why are her parents not fascinated by Enver Hoxha*? Why are they reluctant to have his photo in their living room?
She has yet to learn that the right answers require the right questions. If Lea asked the right question, she would find out that her grandfather had been in jail for many years. The state viewed him as a dangerous and obnoxious element.
Lea witnesses the beginning of what looks like a new era when you do not have to toe the line anymore. Instead, you learn about civil society, tax declarations, corruption, and pyramid schemes.
The collapse of the socialist regime and the new freedoms brought great hope to many people in Albania. For many, however, those big expectations were to be replaced by frustration brought on by increasing financial difficulties, the threat of civil war, and a palpable sense of hypocrisy surrounding them.
"The West had spent decades criticizing the East for its closed borders, funding campaigns to demand freedom of movement, condemning the immorality of states committed to restricting the right to exit. Our exiles used to be received as heroes. Now they were treated like criminals."
The author skillfully blends her personal story with that of her homeland and with commentary on political and economic issues. She reflects on socialism vs. capitalism. How do the liberal and socialist traditions interpret the ideas of freedom and human dignity? Can the concept of socialism be divorced from the experience of many Eastern European听countries? Is it possible to separate a set of ideals from practice?
"Everything that went wrong on my side of the world could be explained by the cruelty of our leaders or the uniquely backward nature of our institutions. They [Lea's foreign friends] believed there was little for them to learn. There was no risk of repeating the same mistakes, no reason to ponder what had been achieved, and why it had been destroyed. Their socialism was characterized by the triumph of freedom and justice; mine by the failure of these ideas to be realized. Their socialism would be brought about by the right people, with the right motives, under the right circumstances, with the right combination of theory and practice."
This book is a delicate reflection on memory, history, and identity, how we treat them, or perhaps how they treat us. Should we remember the past with all its follies? Or would it be better to let it go? Can memories of past tragedies and traumas prevent us from committing new mistakes and injustices? Is remembering always more healing than oblivion? Can we choose what to remember and what to forget?
This memoir also makes you think about the meaning of freedom, the connection between freedom and responsibility, between freedom and the recognition of moral duty.
Lea's mother believed in the survival of the fittest and that people were naturally inclined to be aggressive.
Lea's father, on the other hand, believed in human kindness and "a kernel of goodness in everyone. He blamed dysfunctional societies for the prevalence of a dark side of human nature and always tried to help those in need. If someone is considered weak and outcast by society, in most cases it is not their fault. They deserve compassion, not contempt.
The author's grandmother knew how to face the blows of fate and remain resilient, witty, and empathetic. Despite the many difficulties of the present, she was not nostalgic for her past and the privilege into which she had been born and raised.
"She had never ceased to be responsible. Freedom, she said, is being conscious of necessity."
*Enver Hoxha ruled the country until he died in 1985.
January 14, 2023
A book against simplification and generalisation and against thinking of perpetrators and victims. A thoughtful book on regime change and what events in the newspapers, in far away small countries mean for people of flesh and blood
He knew everything had a price but was unwilling to accept that price
A thoughtful book on a country I knew next to nothing about. Sometimes I was a bit confused where in time I was and what the author was working towards, but a thought provoking book on societal systems, change, and the role of the individual in all this, and history in general. Both communism (Albanian style, which was particularly isolated) and crash capitalism after the fall of the regime of Enver Hoxha are critiqued in a show, don't tell manner, from the perspective of the author growing up. The oblique talk on people graduating from universities, an adult cover-up of the camps and prisons of the regime, is chilling. The shift in perception from especially Italy, who first welcomes refugees and when they come in the 10.000's per boat puts them in camps and extradites them, is very familiar, if not any less cynical than what we see in the current day refugee crises.
The transformation of from a model communist girl to a London School of Economics professor focussed on the meaning of freedom is very impressive and subtly captured in the book. Also the reflection on the nature of both her mother and father, who need to find a way, after being prosecuted by the regime, to fit into a rapidly changing post-communist state, whose people collectively try to find it's footing is thoughtfully narrated in .
Especially the author's mother is rendered in a complex manner, from one of the prosecuted, to a free market liberalist and a politician, who still needs to rely on the rather inert father of the family to really make it in Albanian civil society. The 1997 civil war, again an event I remember next too nothing about, triggered in part by a Ponzi scheme of shadow banks falling apart due to over exaggerated expectations of the boons of capitalism and liberalisation, is chillingly described near the end of the book.
A book that really makes one think and brings a hardly talked about nation to the spotlight.
Dutch quotes:
Je kan beter een ontevreden mens te zijn dan een tevreden varken
Hij wist waar hij tegen was maar vond het moeilijk om te verdedigen waar hij voor stond
Ik had geen ingang tot de juiste antwoorden omdat ik niet wist hoe ik de juiste vragen moest stellen
Ik leerde de waarheid kennen toen hij niet meer gevaarlijk was
Ze was nooit niet verantwoordelijk geweest
Falen was de kust waarvan we ons losmaakten het kon niet de haven zijn waaraan we aanmeerden
Zonder daders bleven er alleen idee毛n over om de schuld te geven
Iedereen wilde weg
Als je geld hebt zijn wegen natuurlijk wel open
Hij wist dat alles een prijs had, maar hij was niet bereid die prijs te accepteren
Mijn vader bewonderde politici enkel na hun dood
He knew everything had a price but was unwilling to accept that price
A thoughtful book on a country I knew next to nothing about. Sometimes I was a bit confused where in time I was and what the author was working towards, but a thought provoking book on societal systems, change, and the role of the individual in all this, and history in general. Both communism (Albanian style, which was particularly isolated) and crash capitalism after the fall of the regime of Enver Hoxha are critiqued in a show, don't tell manner, from the perspective of the author growing up. The oblique talk on people graduating from universities, an adult cover-up of the camps and prisons of the regime, is chilling. The shift in perception from especially Italy, who first welcomes refugees and when they come in the 10.000's per boat puts them in camps and extradites them, is very familiar, if not any less cynical than what we see in the current day refugee crises.
The transformation of from a model communist girl to a London School of Economics professor focussed on the meaning of freedom is very impressive and subtly captured in the book. Also the reflection on the nature of both her mother and father, who need to find a way, after being prosecuted by the regime, to fit into a rapidly changing post-communist state, whose people collectively try to find it's footing is thoughtfully narrated in .
Especially the author's mother is rendered in a complex manner, from one of the prosecuted, to a free market liberalist and a politician, who still needs to rely on the rather inert father of the family to really make it in Albanian civil society. The 1997 civil war, again an event I remember next too nothing about, triggered in part by a Ponzi scheme of shadow banks falling apart due to over exaggerated expectations of the boons of capitalism and liberalisation, is chillingly described near the end of the book.
A book that really makes one think and brings a hardly talked about nation to the spotlight.
Dutch quotes:
Je kan beter een ontevreden mens te zijn dan een tevreden varken
Hij wist waar hij tegen was maar vond het moeilijk om te verdedigen waar hij voor stond
Ik had geen ingang tot de juiste antwoorden omdat ik niet wist hoe ik de juiste vragen moest stellen
Ik leerde de waarheid kennen toen hij niet meer gevaarlijk was
Ze was nooit niet verantwoordelijk geweest
Falen was de kust waarvan we ons losmaakten het kon niet de haven zijn waaraan we aanmeerden
Zonder daders bleven er alleen idee毛n over om de schuld te geven
Iedereen wilde weg
Als je geld hebt zijn wegen natuurlijk wel open
Hij wist dat alles een prijs had, maar hij was niet bereid die prijs te accepteren
Mijn vader bewonderde politici enkel na hun dood
February 22, 2022
An insightful and highly original memoir. A moving and witty story about growing up in Albania in the final days of the last Stalinist outpost of the 20th century.
Lea Ypi grew up in one of the most isolated countries in Southern Europe. A place where communist ideals had officially replaced religion. Albania, the last Stalinist outpost in Europe, was almost impossible to visit, almost impossible to leave. It was a place of queuing and scarcity, of political executions and secret police. To Lea, it was home. People were equal, neighbours helped each other, and children were expected to build a better world. There was community and hope.
Then, in December 1990, a year after the fall of the Berlin Wall, everything changed. The statues of Stalin and Hoxha were toppled. Almost overnight, people could vote freely, wear what they liked and worship as they wished. There was no longer anything to fear from prying ears. But factories shut, jobs disappeared and thousands fled to Italy on crowded ships, only to be sent back. Predatory pyramid schemes eventually bankrupted the country, leading to violent conflict. As one generation's aspirations became another's disillusionment, and as her own family's secrets were revealed, Lea found herself questioning what freedom really meant.
It鈥檚 a fascinating read, funny, tragic and insightful. I really enjoyed the glimpse into life in Albania and the fall of communism through the eyes of Lea. What moved me was the huge adjustment from one way of life to another and how people coped and changed their views on religion and politics. It鈥檚 not a heavy memoir and yet I leaned so much and enjoyed everything about the book. I knew nothing about Albania so delighted when a fellow goodreads reviewer recommended this one.
I listened to on audible and while the narrator was good I am really sorry I didn鈥檛 purchase a hard copy of this one as I have a feeling there were photographs and maps that I may have missed out on.
Lea Ypi grew up in one of the most isolated countries in Southern Europe. A place where communist ideals had officially replaced religion. Albania, the last Stalinist outpost in Europe, was almost impossible to visit, almost impossible to leave. It was a place of queuing and scarcity, of political executions and secret police. To Lea, it was home. People were equal, neighbours helped each other, and children were expected to build a better world. There was community and hope.
Then, in December 1990, a year after the fall of the Berlin Wall, everything changed. The statues of Stalin and Hoxha were toppled. Almost overnight, people could vote freely, wear what they liked and worship as they wished. There was no longer anything to fear from prying ears. But factories shut, jobs disappeared and thousands fled to Italy on crowded ships, only to be sent back. Predatory pyramid schemes eventually bankrupted the country, leading to violent conflict. As one generation's aspirations became another's disillusionment, and as her own family's secrets were revealed, Lea found herself questioning what freedom really meant.
It鈥檚 a fascinating read, funny, tragic and insightful. I really enjoyed the glimpse into life in Albania and the fall of communism through the eyes of Lea. What moved me was the huge adjustment from one way of life to another and how people coped and changed their views on religion and politics. It鈥檚 not a heavy memoir and yet I leaned so much and enjoyed everything about the book. I knew nothing about Albania so delighted when a fellow goodreads reviewer recommended this one.
I listened to on audible and while the narrator was good I am really sorry I didn鈥檛 purchase a hard copy of this one as I have a feeling there were photographs and maps that I may have missed out on.
Read
January 19, 2025This unusual memoir is Lea Ypi's account of, first, her innocent childhood under socialist rule in Albania in the 1980s (she was born in 1979), and then the shock of finding out in 1990 after the regime fell that the 'freedom' she'd been taught at school to value so much wasn't freedom as the rest of the world understood it at all.
Plus there was the further shock of discovering that her family had completely different opinions about freedom from the ones she'd learned at school鈥攁nd her mother's perspective was different again from her father's鈥攂ut had felt obliged to hide their real thoughts for fear of being denounced. The result was that her parents communicated in front of Lea all through her childhood in a kind of coded language that only made the intelligent child question everything all the more although her grandmother's wise words often smoothed over the cracks in communication.
That may all sound very serious but Lea Ypi tells her story from the point of view of her eleven-year old self, a child with the ability to describe the dilemmas of her family's everyday life in a light-hearted and comical way. If you want to know what it was like to live in Albania, a place that was neither East nor West, neither truly communist nor the kind of independent socialist state that Tito ruled over in neighboring Yugoslavia, then this memoir of growing up in a family that didn't know if it was East or West either, is not to be missed.
For me, the key point that emerged from this memoir shocked me out of my own certainties: the coded conversations in Lea's home contrasted so greatly with the unambiguous instruction about socialism given by her primary-school teacher Nora, that Nora, rather than her parents, became her model when it came to understanding the world. The several disastrous 'liberal' governments that replaced the Albanian socialist party between 1990 and 1996鈥攚hen Lea left Albania to study at an Italian university鈥攐nly reinforced the lessons of her favorite teacher about the value of socialism:
That realisation, plus the wise words of her grandmother, "When it鈥檚 difficult to see clearly into the future, you have to think about what you can learn from the past", seems to have dictated the seventeen-year old Lea's decision on what to study at university: much to her parents' dismay she chose to study philosophy which to them meant coming in contact with Marx and his philosophy of socialism.
鈥︹赌︹赌︹赌︹赌︹赌︹赌︹赌︹赌︹赌︹赌︹赌︹赌︹赌︹赌︹赌︹赌︹赌︹赌︹赌�
The reader is aware that under socialist rule, Lea couldn't have left the country to study elsewhere. She might argue that for most Albanians, the freedom to leave the country has meant a more difficult struggle for a livelihood than the one they had known under socialist rule. For her, capitalist countries don't provide access for most emigrants to the lifestyles the capitalist economy seduces them with. She's not wrong鈥攖hough second generation emigrants might argue the case.
Plus there was the further shock of discovering that her family had completely different opinions about freedom from the ones she'd learned at school鈥攁nd her mother's perspective was different again from her father's鈥攂ut had felt obliged to hide their real thoughts for fear of being denounced. The result was that her parents communicated in front of Lea all through her childhood in a kind of coded language that only made the intelligent child question everything all the more although her grandmother's wise words often smoothed over the cracks in communication.
That may all sound very serious but Lea Ypi tells her story from the point of view of her eleven-year old self, a child with the ability to describe the dilemmas of her family's everyday life in a light-hearted and comical way. If you want to know what it was like to live in Albania, a place that was neither East nor West, neither truly communist nor the kind of independent socialist state that Tito ruled over in neighboring Yugoslavia, then this memoir of growing up in a family that didn't know if it was East or West either, is not to be missed.
For me, the key point that emerged from this memoir shocked me out of my own certainties: the coded conversations in Lea's home contrasted so greatly with the unambiguous instruction about socialism given by her primary-school teacher Nora, that Nora, rather than her parents, became her model when it came to understanding the world. The several disastrous 'liberal' governments that replaced the Albanian socialist party between 1990 and 1996鈥攚hen Lea left Albania to study at an Italian university鈥攐nly reinforced the lessons of her favorite teacher about the value of socialism:
"My family equated socialism with denial: the denial of who they wanted to be, of the right to make mistakes and learn from them, to explore the world on one鈥檚 own terms. I equated liberalism with broken promises, the destruction of solidarity, the right to inherit privilege, turning a blind eye to injustice."
That realisation, plus the wise words of her grandmother, "When it鈥檚 difficult to see clearly into the future, you have to think about what you can learn from the past", seems to have dictated the seventeen-year old Lea's decision on what to study at university: much to her parents' dismay she chose to study philosophy which to them meant coming in contact with Marx and his philosophy of socialism.
鈥︹赌︹赌︹赌︹赌︹赌︹赌︹赌︹赌︹赌︹赌︹赌︹赌︹赌︹赌︹赌︹赌︹赌︹赌︹赌�
The reader is aware that under socialist rule, Lea couldn't have left the country to study elsewhere. She might argue that for most Albanians, the freedom to leave the country has meant a more difficult struggle for a livelihood than the one they had known under socialist rule. For her, capitalist countries don't provide access for most emigrants to the lifestyles the capitalist economy seduces them with. She's not wrong鈥攖hough second generation emigrants might argue the case.
February 21, 2025
If you decide to read a memoir this year, just one, it needs to be Free by Lea Ypi.
This is a coming-of-age memoir, seen through the eyes of young Lea Ypi during the fall of communism in 1990s Albania. We get a glimpse of Lea鈥檚 family life prior to the fall of the authoritarian regime of Enver Hoxha/Ramiz Alia (1946 鈥� 1991), and the consequent civil unrest.
There鈥檚 humour here and of course, there is ample serious subject matter too. I found Lea's Mother and Father the most interesting and funny. We see the family arguments, the hard life living in a communist state, school life, the sad history of dispossession of property and assets, the ubiquitous eyes of the Sigurimi (Secret Service). There鈥檚 also the absurd, bureaucracy of an autocratic society on display here 鈥� the queuing up for milk and bread for hours for example, a way of life.
As the title suggests a central theme in this memoir is freedom. If you think about it, this is a complex notion. What does it mean? Are we referring to internal freedom? For example, the freedom to do the right thing, or external freedom 鈥� the freedom to say what we like? To do what we like? Of course 鈥� none of us have total freedom. But this memoir had me thinking about this complex concept. The more I think about capitalism and liberalism, the more I believe we aren鈥檛 free at all. Perhaps those who possess little or no money, freedom is a total stranger.
The fall of communism was a momentous occasion of course. However, as we know from what happened in countries we may be more familiar with, it was no bed of roses. The highly structured, controlled, state, provided a certainty that was not guaranteed in a more liberal society. The new, uncertain world can appear (and really be) worse than what came before it. We see all of this here. Ypi provides an inside look of what it was like.
A taste of the beautiful humour expressed by the author:
On those occasions, my cousins and I would swim near the tourist beach and sing in English (baa baa black sheep) 鈥� 鈥淏an ban blackship, eni eni you.鈥� They would stare back with a look between confused and frightened
A wonderful picture of Lea at the beach in 1986
Imagine the confusion children like Lea experienced when, for all their life, they heard nothing but praise from their family and friends about the state, only to see and hear the same people march and protest its downfall. Everything you thought you knew was turned on its head. Wow.
Then to compound the aggravation 鈥� Albania experienced a civil war from January to August in 1997. Again, we see this through the eyes of a young girl, trying to study for her final year of high school (with power cuts, school closures, Kalashnikovs firing at all times of the day), the terror and uncertainty 鈥� the poor lass lost her ability to speak at one stage. It is heartbreaking.
Did this new Albania offer a more free or safer society than under Hoxha? The Adriatic seabed would home thousands of dead Albanians as they fled on boats to the luxury of refugee camps in Italy.
The ending was sad and profound.
5 Stars
An interesting short video about this book, including an appearance by young Lea Ypi
This is a coming-of-age memoir, seen through the eyes of young Lea Ypi during the fall of communism in 1990s Albania. We get a glimpse of Lea鈥檚 family life prior to the fall of the authoritarian regime of Enver Hoxha/Ramiz Alia (1946 鈥� 1991), and the consequent civil unrest.
There鈥檚 humour here and of course, there is ample serious subject matter too. I found Lea's Mother and Father the most interesting and funny. We see the family arguments, the hard life living in a communist state, school life, the sad history of dispossession of property and assets, the ubiquitous eyes of the Sigurimi (Secret Service). There鈥檚 also the absurd, bureaucracy of an autocratic society on display here 鈥� the queuing up for milk and bread for hours for example, a way of life.
As the title suggests a central theme in this memoir is freedom. If you think about it, this is a complex notion. What does it mean? Are we referring to internal freedom? For example, the freedom to do the right thing, or external freedom 鈥� the freedom to say what we like? To do what we like? Of course 鈥� none of us have total freedom. But this memoir had me thinking about this complex concept. The more I think about capitalism and liberalism, the more I believe we aren鈥檛 free at all. Perhaps those who possess little or no money, freedom is a total stranger.
The fall of communism was a momentous occasion of course. However, as we know from what happened in countries we may be more familiar with, it was no bed of roses. The highly structured, controlled, state, provided a certainty that was not guaranteed in a more liberal society. The new, uncertain world can appear (and really be) worse than what came before it. We see all of this here. Ypi provides an inside look of what it was like.
A taste of the beautiful humour expressed by the author:
On those occasions, my cousins and I would swim near the tourist beach and sing in English (baa baa black sheep) 鈥� 鈥淏an ban blackship, eni eni you.鈥� They would stare back with a look between confused and frightened
A wonderful picture of Lea at the beach in 1986
Imagine the confusion children like Lea experienced when, for all their life, they heard nothing but praise from their family and friends about the state, only to see and hear the same people march and protest its downfall. Everything you thought you knew was turned on its head. Wow.
Then to compound the aggravation 鈥� Albania experienced a civil war from January to August in 1997. Again, we see this through the eyes of a young girl, trying to study for her final year of high school (with power cuts, school closures, Kalashnikovs firing at all times of the day), the terror and uncertainty 鈥� the poor lass lost her ability to speak at one stage. It is heartbreaking.
Did this new Albania offer a more free or safer society than under Hoxha? The Adriatic seabed would home thousands of dead Albanians as they fled on boats to the luxury of refugee camps in Italy.
The ending was sad and profound.
5 Stars
An interesting short video about this book, including an appearance by young Lea Ypi
February 6, 2022
My knowledge of Albania was, until reading this, almost non existent. This historical memoir begins when Lea is a child, totally convinced that her country under communism was free. She was taught in school to revere Enver Hosta and couldn't understand why her family, unlike other famous, didn't have a framed picture of him. She couldn't understand why her biography, actually status, wasn't as promise nent as her classmates. She wouldn't find out the answer to her questions until the death of their leader, and the protests for true freedom that followed.
An interesting book that shows a country fighting for democracy, the challenges faced and how things changed, for not only her family, but for the country as a whole. She finds out the many secrets her family kept, and that their political views had been different from those they were forced to expouse.
I loved how this started when she was young because one can chart her personal and political evolution. As her country changed so did she.
An interesting book that shows a country fighting for democracy, the challenges faced and how things changed, for not only her family, but for the country as a whole. She finds out the many secrets her family kept, and that their political views had been different from those they were forced to expouse.
I loved how this started when she was young because one can chart her personal and political evolution. As her country changed so did she.
Read
January 5, 2025In my opinion this book is gold. I enjoyed it so much that I read it twice, first unofficially for a while sitting in a park on one of those Spring days when it is warm enough to sit outside so long as you are in the sunlight, laughing away to myself, then a second time officially on 欧宝娱乐 posting updates of parts I thought amusing and short enough.
Perhaps you have seen the episode of the Simpsons cartoon called the Crepes of Wrath which features an Albanian? In it we are told that Albania's primary export is furious political debate, this might be the book that undermines that joke.
While reading I heard of a study done on the grandchildren of people who had been killed or sent to live in the countryside during the Chinese Cultural revolution, they found that generally they were at the same or higher socio-economic level of privilege as their grandparents. I fear that is a bit of a spoiler for this book, sorry about that.
To say that I love Voltaire's would be too strong, but I do think it is an amusing and clever book, but this is better in my opinion. It is a philosophical memoir written by Ypi to explain her personal Marxism to her mother despite her early childhood in the last years of Albania's peculiar Communist regime.
I doubt that this is a strictly accurate or literal account - apart from criticism about factual accuracy it strikes me that the three significant adults in her life: paternal grandmother, father, and mother are a bit too Goldilocks to be true, for example when seeing a legless beggar, her father turns out his pockets to give the man all the money he has, while her mother would not give the man a penny and would explain that his poverty was is own fault, the grandmother however would give him some money but would be sure to keep enough to buy the young Ypi an ice cream - which is an important consideration to a child. The mother comes across as Margaret Thatcher's twin sister - mysteriously born years later than her twin in Communist Albania. She is too busy being fierce to listen to other people's opinions, she knows that she is correct, her favourite revolution was the English one , and she never bothers to look in a mirror to brush her hair. Ypi's father idolises dead revolutionaries, his favourite revolution is yet to come, actual revolutions so far have only been a disappointment, through an odd series of events in ends up in Parliament as Albania descends into civil war. The Grandmother insists on speaking French to Ypi which Lea learnt to speak before she learnt Albanian, her favourite revolution was the French revolution. Young Ypi preferred the Russian revolution her ears are open to words of her elementary school teacher; Nora. Nora's criticisms of Capitalist societies are reasonable enough, but the reader can quickly see that what she says about Albanian society is misleading. If in Albania the state supports and allows people to develop their own talents freely then how come is Ypi's mother a Maths teacher when she hates Maths while her father was forbidden to study Science and is working in Forestry? The answers lie in their mysterious biographies.
Throughout the book Ypi shows us different ideas of freedom which we can weigh up and compare as we go. As a child she has absolute freedom to decide whether to go left or right when she comes out of school, as either way will get her home. As a teenager the freedom of others to loot Government arsenals means it is not safe to leave the house for fear of gunfire. For years Albanians were not free to leave their country, but when Communism ends can they afford to travel abroad and if they can other countries have effectively closed their borders to them by imposing visa regimes.
She shows us a naive matter of factness that dominated the years around the end of communism how smuggling (drugs, women , guns) is perceived simply as legitimate free market activity, the country goes crazy for pyramid investment schemes - when these collapse disappointed investors seize weapons as mentioned above and take to the streets. Young Ypi has an interesting double consciousness at the time she accepts the message she hears in foreign media that the fighting is due to ethnic differences within the country even though she knows that her parents are from the two different groups and she herself doesn't know to which she might belong.
Just as if things are not going badly enough, international development agencies arrive to begin to push neo-liberal policies on to the Government.
Any way lots of things happen. And Ypi's narration is often very funny, but occasionally poignant, and perhaps overall the story is a tragedy, and if you read this book, which has been translated into a fistful of languages (many of which she speaks herself ), you will see why yes moves philosophically to Marxism and insists on taking the experience of Communist societies seriously to understand how a society can provide its members freedom.
Perhaps you have seen the episode of the Simpsons cartoon called the Crepes of Wrath which features an Albanian? In it we are told that Albania's primary export is furious political debate, this might be the book that undermines that joke.
While reading I heard of a study done on the grandchildren of people who had been killed or sent to live in the countryside during the Chinese Cultural revolution, they found that generally they were at the same or higher socio-economic level of privilege as their grandparents. I fear that is a bit of a spoiler for this book, sorry about that.
To say that I love Voltaire's would be too strong, but I do think it is an amusing and clever book, but this is better in my opinion. It is a philosophical memoir written by Ypi to explain her personal Marxism to her mother despite her early childhood in the last years of Albania's peculiar Communist regime.
I doubt that this is a strictly accurate or literal account - apart from criticism about factual accuracy it strikes me that the three significant adults in her life: paternal grandmother, father, and mother are a bit too Goldilocks to be true, for example when seeing a legless beggar, her father turns out his pockets to give the man all the money he has, while her mother would not give the man a penny and would explain that his poverty was is own fault, the grandmother however would give him some money but would be sure to keep enough to buy the young Ypi an ice cream - which is an important consideration to a child. The mother comes across as Margaret Thatcher's twin sister - mysteriously born years later than her twin in Communist Albania. She is too busy being fierce to listen to other people's opinions, she knows that she is correct, her favourite revolution was the English one , and she never bothers to look in a mirror to brush her hair. Ypi's father idolises dead revolutionaries, his favourite revolution is yet to come, actual revolutions so far have only been a disappointment, through an odd series of events in ends up in Parliament as Albania descends into civil war. The Grandmother insists on speaking French to Ypi which Lea learnt to speak before she learnt Albanian, her favourite revolution was the French revolution. Young Ypi preferred the Russian revolution her ears are open to words of her elementary school teacher; Nora. Nora's criticisms of Capitalist societies are reasonable enough, but the reader can quickly see that what she says about Albanian society is misleading. If in Albania the state supports and allows people to develop their own talents freely then how come is Ypi's mother a Maths teacher when she hates Maths while her father was forbidden to study Science and is working in Forestry? The answers lie in their mysterious biographies.
Throughout the book Ypi shows us different ideas of freedom which we can weigh up and compare as we go. As a child she has absolute freedom to decide whether to go left or right when she comes out of school, as either way will get her home. As a teenager the freedom of others to loot Government arsenals means it is not safe to leave the house for fear of gunfire. For years Albanians were not free to leave their country, but when Communism ends can they afford to travel abroad and if they can other countries have effectively closed their borders to them by imposing visa regimes.
She shows us a naive matter of factness that dominated the years around the end of communism how smuggling (drugs, women , guns) is perceived simply as legitimate free market activity, the country goes crazy for pyramid investment schemes - when these collapse disappointed investors seize weapons as mentioned above and take to the streets. Young Ypi has an interesting double consciousness at the time she accepts the message she hears in foreign media that the fighting is due to ethnic differences within the country even though she knows that her parents are from the two different groups and she herself doesn't know to which she might belong.
Just as if things are not going badly enough, international development agencies arrive to begin to push neo-liberal policies on to the Government.
Any way lots of things happen. And Ypi's narration is often very funny, but occasionally poignant, and perhaps overall the story is a tragedy, and if you read this book, which has been translated into a fistful of languages (many of which she speaks herself ), you will see why yes moves philosophically to Marxism and insists on taking the experience of Communist societies seriously to understand how a society can provide its members freedom.
February 24, 2025
O que eu sabia da Alb芒nia antes de ler este livro:
- que a capital 茅 Tirana (um nome bem cool);
- que 茅 a terra natal da Madre Teresa de Calcut谩 e da fam铆lia da Dua Lipa (talvez a minha cantora favorita);
- que tem muitos c茫es abandonados e est谩 a ser descoberta pelos turistas, pois 茅 bonita e barata.
Depois de ler este livro, pouco mais fiquei a saber, at茅 porque isto 茅 um livro de mem贸rias de uma mi煤da que teve o seu coming of age durante o per铆odo em que a Alb芒nia se tornou um pa铆s livre do socialismo sovi茅tico. N茫o 茅 um livro de Hist贸ria, 茅 um livro que, atrav茅s dos olhos da autora, nos vai contando um pouco do desenvolvimento deste pa铆s com tr锚s milh玫es de habitantes.
Quando a pequena Lea Ypi crescia, instigada pela professora Nora, acreditava no socialismo sovi茅tico e na bondade dos pol铆ticos do pa铆s, apesar de viverem de senhas de racionamento e nem sempre conseguirem troc谩-las por alimentos. Ter uma lata de coca-cola vazia era um motivo de orgulho, at茅 era colocada como bibelot na sala. Admirava Enver Hoxha, de quem todos os albaneses tinham um retrato em casa, exceto a sua fam铆lia, coisa que a pequena Ypi n茫o compreendia, at茅 que...
O meu pa铆s foi declarado oficialmente um Estado multipartid谩rio a 12 de dezembro de 1990, passando a ser um dos que teriam elei莽玫es livres.
Viveram-se tempos tempestuosos, em que todos os Albaneses que conseguiram fugiram para It谩lia. Muitos vinham recambiados. O pai de Lea conseguiu um trabalho melhor do que o anterior arranjado pelo Partido, e at茅 chegou a deputado, ainda que por apenas seis meses. A situa莽茫o financeira da fam铆lia melhorou at茅 perderem as economias num esquema em pir芒mide. A m茫e tamb茅m se envolveu na pol铆tica, mas depois fugiu com o irm茫o mais novo de Lea para It谩lia. O Banco Mundial interveio, houve despedimentos, houve protestos estudantis, iniciados no sul, em Vlora, e o pa铆s quase chegou a uma guerra civil.
Era como se tiv茅ssemos regressado a 1990. Havia o mesmo caos, a mesma sensa莽茫o de incerteza, o mesmo colapso do Estado, o mesmo desastre econ贸mico. Mas com uma diferen莽a. Em 1990, est谩vamos cheios de esperan莽a. Em 1997, j谩 a hav铆amos perdido. O futuro parecia sombrio.
Foi uma boa leitura, n茫o no in铆cio, em que me senti t茫o perdida como a pequena Lea na d茅cada de 1980. Depois, comecei a perceber e foi muito bom acompanhar esta fam铆lia de resistentes. Apesar de terem passado dificuldades, como os restantes albaneses, a forma como Ypi faz o relato daqueles tempos conturbados e de como afetaram a sua fam铆lia 茅 ligeira e at茅 com uns laivos de humor.
Deixei a Alb芒nia e atravessei o Adri谩tico. Acenei para o meu pai e para a av贸, que ficaram no cais, e viajei para It谩lia, num barco que navegou por cima de milhares de corpos de afogados, corpos que foram ocupados por almas mais esperan莽osas do que a minha, mas que tiveram destinos menos afortunados. Nunca mais regressei.
- que a capital 茅 Tirana (um nome bem cool);
- que 茅 a terra natal da Madre Teresa de Calcut谩 e da fam铆lia da Dua Lipa (talvez a minha cantora favorita);
- que tem muitos c茫es abandonados e est谩 a ser descoberta pelos turistas, pois 茅 bonita e barata.
Depois de ler este livro, pouco mais fiquei a saber, at茅 porque isto 茅 um livro de mem贸rias de uma mi煤da que teve o seu coming of age durante o per铆odo em que a Alb芒nia se tornou um pa铆s livre do socialismo sovi茅tico. N茫o 茅 um livro de Hist贸ria, 茅 um livro que, atrav茅s dos olhos da autora, nos vai contando um pouco do desenvolvimento deste pa铆s com tr锚s milh玫es de habitantes.
Quando a pequena Lea Ypi crescia, instigada pela professora Nora, acreditava no socialismo sovi茅tico e na bondade dos pol铆ticos do pa铆s, apesar de viverem de senhas de racionamento e nem sempre conseguirem troc谩-las por alimentos. Ter uma lata de coca-cola vazia era um motivo de orgulho, at茅 era colocada como bibelot na sala. Admirava Enver Hoxha, de quem todos os albaneses tinham um retrato em casa, exceto a sua fam铆lia, coisa que a pequena Ypi n茫o compreendia, at茅 que...
O meu pa铆s foi declarado oficialmente um Estado multipartid谩rio a 12 de dezembro de 1990, passando a ser um dos que teriam elei莽玫es livres.
Viveram-se tempos tempestuosos, em que todos os Albaneses que conseguiram fugiram para It谩lia. Muitos vinham recambiados. O pai de Lea conseguiu um trabalho melhor do que o anterior arranjado pelo Partido, e at茅 chegou a deputado, ainda que por apenas seis meses. A situa莽茫o financeira da fam铆lia melhorou at茅 perderem as economias num esquema em pir芒mide. A m茫e tamb茅m se envolveu na pol铆tica, mas depois fugiu com o irm茫o mais novo de Lea para It谩lia. O Banco Mundial interveio, houve despedimentos, houve protestos estudantis, iniciados no sul, em Vlora, e o pa铆s quase chegou a uma guerra civil.
Era como se tiv茅ssemos regressado a 1990. Havia o mesmo caos, a mesma sensa莽茫o de incerteza, o mesmo colapso do Estado, o mesmo desastre econ贸mico. Mas com uma diferen莽a. Em 1990, est谩vamos cheios de esperan莽a. Em 1997, j谩 a hav铆amos perdido. O futuro parecia sombrio.
Foi uma boa leitura, n茫o no in铆cio, em que me senti t茫o perdida como a pequena Lea na d茅cada de 1980. Depois, comecei a perceber e foi muito bom acompanhar esta fam铆lia de resistentes. Apesar de terem passado dificuldades, como os restantes albaneses, a forma como Ypi faz o relato daqueles tempos conturbados e de como afetaram a sua fam铆lia 茅 ligeira e at茅 com uns laivos de humor.
Deixei a Alb芒nia e atravessei o Adri谩tico. Acenei para o meu pai e para a av贸, que ficaram no cais, e viajei para It谩lia, num barco que navegou por cima de milhares de corpos de afogados, corpos que foram ocupados por almas mais esperan莽osas do que a minha, mas que tiveram destinos menos afortunados. Nunca mais regressei.
April 20, 2024
What an extraordinary memoir this was - beautifully written and immensely clever.
The cherry on this exquisite cake was the many uncanny similarities in our experiences, although we grew up in different countries, albeit with similar regimes, Ypi is Albanian, I'm Romanian, and she's a few years younger than me.
Growing up, Albania was never much on my radar - I knew they were a communist country (NB: Ypi refers to all as socialism, I always think of it as communism, regardless, it was pretty much the same - obviously, they played by the same book). Growing up in a closed border country very few goods were making their way in, most of them were from other communist countries. Some of my favourite treats to eat when growing up were a whole date jam and some sesame bars, both imported from Albania. Even for those goodies you had to have contacts to purchase them. I was privileged in that way.:-) Like in Albania, we had to queue up for basic necessities, there were rations etc. This might explain my phobia when it comes to queuing.
This memoir is mostly told from the perspective of a child, who absorbs the school's propaganda and her parents' and grandmother's views and opinions - which I thought was a clever way to go about telling a story that is complex and layered. Given her family's diverse biography, this provides the readers with a full-bodied, personal history that overlaps with a revolution, and a civil war, after all, when big historical events take place, people still live their small lives, sometimes, without realising they're living through important historical moments.
Ypi is a professor of political theory. The author's afterword is a must-read/listen as well.
I'm so glad I took the time to listen to this and I'm grateful to the public library system for making this audiobook available for free.
Highly recommended
NB: While I don't mind this cover, I absolutely love the alternative covers with the Coca-Cola can, if you read this book, you'll realise its relevance.
The cherry on this exquisite cake was the many uncanny similarities in our experiences, although we grew up in different countries, albeit with similar regimes, Ypi is Albanian, I'm Romanian, and she's a few years younger than me.
Growing up, Albania was never much on my radar - I knew they were a communist country (NB: Ypi refers to all as socialism, I always think of it as communism, regardless, it was pretty much the same - obviously, they played by the same book). Growing up in a closed border country very few goods were making their way in, most of them were from other communist countries. Some of my favourite treats to eat when growing up were a whole date jam and some sesame bars, both imported from Albania. Even for those goodies you had to have contacts to purchase them. I was privileged in that way.:-) Like in Albania, we had to queue up for basic necessities, there were rations etc. This might explain my phobia when it comes to queuing.
This memoir is mostly told from the perspective of a child, who absorbs the school's propaganda and her parents' and grandmother's views and opinions - which I thought was a clever way to go about telling a story that is complex and layered. Given her family's diverse biography, this provides the readers with a full-bodied, personal history that overlaps with a revolution, and a civil war, after all, when big historical events take place, people still live their small lives, sometimes, without realising they're living through important historical moments.
Ypi is a professor of political theory. The author's afterword is a must-read/listen as well.
I'm so glad I took the time to listen to this and I'm grateful to the public library system for making this audiobook available for free.
Highly recommended
NB: While I don't mind this cover, I absolutely love the alternative covers with the Coca-Cola can, if you read this book, you'll realise its relevance.
December 3, 2024
Sovyetler Birli臒i da臒谋ld谋ktan sonra sosyalizmin 莽枚kt眉臒眉 son Avrupa 眉lkesi olan Arnavutluk鈥檛a, bu tarihi de臒i艧imin 枚ncesini ve sonras谋n谋 birinci a臒谋zdan, yazar谋n a臒z谋ndan, ya艧ad谋klar谋n谋, hat谋rlad谋klar谋n谋, duyduklar谋n谋 kronolojik s谋ra ile anlatt谋臒谋 an谋lar谋yla okuyoruz. Basit ve sade anlat谋ml谋 dili ile okuru yormadan adeta hem d眉nyada hem de 眉lkesinde bir d枚nemin panoramas谋n谋 roman olarak aktar谋yor yazar. Siyasi ve felsefi sorgulamalarla 莽ocuklu臒una denk gelen sosyalizmi ve gen莽li臒inde ya艧ad谋臒谋 liberalizm y谋llar谋n谋 tarafs谋z ve biraz da duygusal bir dille anlat谋yor Lea Ypi.
Kaderin cilvesi de臒il, kendi se莽imi ile 陌ngilterede London School of Economics鈥檛e siyaset teorisi dersinde 枚臒rencilerine Marksizm鈥檌 anlatan yazar, kitab谋n sonundaki 鈥渟ondeyi艧鈥� b枚l眉m眉nde bu se莽iminin nedenini anlat谋yor, 鈥溍秡g眉r鈥� ve 鈥溍秡g眉rl眉k鈥� kavramlar谋n谋 farkl谋 bir a莽谋dan okumak g眉zel oldu.
Anne ve baba 眉zerinden rejim de臒erlendirmesi kitaba akademik hava da veriyor. Babaanne Nini 艧ahane bir karakter. Ailesinin 莽ekti臒i s谋k谋nt谋lar谋 abart谋ya ka莽madan anlatmas谋 k谋uguyu ger莽ek莽i k谋lmada 枚nemli bir rol oynuyor. Kitab谋 莽ok be臒endim, kesinlikle okunacaklar listesine al谋nmal谋.
Kaderin cilvesi de臒il, kendi se莽imi ile 陌ngilterede London School of Economics鈥檛e siyaset teorisi dersinde 枚臒rencilerine Marksizm鈥檌 anlatan yazar, kitab谋n sonundaki 鈥渟ondeyi艧鈥� b枚l眉m眉nde bu se莽iminin nedenini anlat谋yor, 鈥溍秡g眉r鈥� ve 鈥溍秡g眉rl眉k鈥� kavramlar谋n谋 farkl谋 bir a莽谋dan okumak g眉zel oldu.
Anne ve baba 眉zerinden rejim de臒erlendirmesi kitaba akademik hava da veriyor. Babaanne Nini 艧ahane bir karakter. Ailesinin 莽ekti臒i s谋k谋nt谋lar谋 abart谋ya ka莽madan anlatmas谋 k谋uguyu ger莽ek莽i k谋lmada 枚nemli bir rol oynuyor. Kitab谋 莽ok be臒endim, kesinlikle okunacaklar listesine al谋nmal谋.
April 21, 2024
4,5/Bir s眉redir kitap okuma ve odaklanma konusunda zorlan谋yordum. Bu kitap bana o motivasyonu tekrar kazand谋rd谋. Bu y谋l okuduklar谋m aras谋nda beni en 莽ok etkileyen 眉莽 kitaptan birisi.
En ba艧谋ndan 艧unu belirteyim e臒er ihtiyac谋n谋z olan 艧ey bir hikayenin sizi al谋p g枚t眉rmesi ve soluksuz okutmas谋ysa bu kitab谋 莽ok sevmeyebilirsiniz. 脟眉nk眉 kitap yazar谋n 1989 ile i莽 sava艧谋n ba艧lad谋臒谋 1997 y谋llar谋 aras谋nda Arnavutluk鈥檛a ge莽en 莽ocukluk- gen莽lik an谋lar谋n kronolojik ilerleyi艧i 眉zerinden 眉lkenin tarihini aktar谋yor. Fakat bu tarihi Enver Hoca rejimine maruz kalan bir 莽ocu臒un g枚z眉nden izlemeniz kitab谋n en vurucu yanlar谋ndan biri. T谋pk谋 Magda Szabo鈥檔un kitaplar谋nda -枚zellikle de 陌za鈥檔谋n 艦ark谋s谋鈥檔da- g枚r眉len 莽ocuklar谋n beyinlerinin okulda y谋kanmas谋 ve e臒er rejime uygun bir ailenin i莽inde de臒ilse o aileden uzakla艧t谋r谋lmas谋, Szabo鈥檔un tabiriyle 鈥渒眉莽眉k askerlere鈥� d枚n眉艧t眉r眉lmesi ad谋m ad谋m g枚r眉l眉yor burada da. 陌lkokul 莽a臒谋ndaki 莽ocuklar谋n siyasetle ili艧kileri, aileleri 眉zerindeki denetleyici yakla艧谋mlar谋, okulda, bir toplulu臒un aras谋ndayken 枚臒rendikleri 艧eylerin aile ortam谋nda 枚臒rendiklerinden daha do臒ru g枚r眉lmesi ve bu masum itaat谋n devlet eliyle nas谋l parti 莽谋karlar谋 i莽in kullan谋ld谋臒谋n谋 okumak, hikayenin ger莽ekli臒i yan谋 ba艧谋n谋zda dururken 莽ok daha rahats谋z edici hale geliyor. Tabii kitap ki艧isel an谋larla devam etse de bir yandan da Arnavutluk鈥檜n 陌kinci D眉nya Sava艧谋 枚ncesi ile i艧 sava艧 s眉reci aras谋nda ge莽i艧lerle 眉lkenin siyasi ve toplumsal yap谋s谋na ve bu yap谋lardaki de臒i艧imlere dair 莽ok fazla bilgiye de sahip oluyorsunuz. 脟眉nk眉 Lea Ypi鈥檔in ailesi siyasal a莽谋dan hem ge莽mi艧le hem de sonras谋yla ilgili 莽ok莽a farkl谋 ba臒lara sahip.
Kitap bir b眉t眉n olarak 莽ok iyi olsa da son b枚l眉m眉; 眉lkesi bir i莽 sava艧a s眉r眉klenmi艧ken ailesinin her bir 眉yesi i莽in ayr谋 ayr谋 endi艧elenmek zorunda kalan ve bir yandan da gelece臒ini belirlemeye 莽al谋艧an bir gen莽 k谋z谋n g眉nl眉臒眉nden okumak 莽ok zorlay谋c谋yd谋. 240 sayfal谋k bir kitap okumama ra臒men sanki 500-600 sayfa okumu艧 gibi hissediyorum. Bunu k枚t眉 anlamda s枚ylemiyorum asla.Kitapta anlat谋lan 艧eyler o kadar yo臒un ve dolu ki siz okuduk莽a geni艧liyor adeta. Kitap bitti臒inde yazar谋n g眉n眉m眉zde d眉艧眉ncelerini ifade etti臒i 鈥淪ondeyi艧鈥� k谋sm谋 ise ayr谋ca k谋ymetli. Kitap boyunca size d眉艧眉nd眉rd眉臒眉 鈥溍秡g眉rl眉k鈥� kavram谋na dair bir yeni kol daha ekliyor. Benim gibi, 97 y谋l谋nda Arnavutluk鈥檛a olanlar谋 televizyondan ve gazetelerden g枚rm眉艧 takip etmi艧 ya艧larda olanlar i莽inse; 莽ocuk zihniyle uzaktan g枚rd眉臒眉 ve anlam vermeye 莽al谋艧t谋臒谋 olaylar silsilesine biraz daha i莽eriden bakmak a莽谋s谋ndan ayr谋 bir yere sahip olacakt谋r. Ben 莽ok sevdim, herkese tavsiye ederim.
En ba艧谋ndan 艧unu belirteyim e臒er ihtiyac谋n谋z olan 艧ey bir hikayenin sizi al谋p g枚t眉rmesi ve soluksuz okutmas谋ysa bu kitab谋 莽ok sevmeyebilirsiniz. 脟眉nk眉 kitap yazar谋n 1989 ile i莽 sava艧谋n ba艧lad谋臒谋 1997 y谋llar谋 aras谋nda Arnavutluk鈥檛a ge莽en 莽ocukluk- gen莽lik an谋lar谋n kronolojik ilerleyi艧i 眉zerinden 眉lkenin tarihini aktar谋yor. Fakat bu tarihi Enver Hoca rejimine maruz kalan bir 莽ocu臒un g枚z眉nden izlemeniz kitab谋n en vurucu yanlar谋ndan biri. T谋pk谋 Magda Szabo鈥檔un kitaplar谋nda -枚zellikle de 陌za鈥檔谋n 艦ark谋s谋鈥檔da- g枚r眉len 莽ocuklar谋n beyinlerinin okulda y谋kanmas谋 ve e臒er rejime uygun bir ailenin i莽inde de臒ilse o aileden uzakla艧t谋r谋lmas谋, Szabo鈥檔un tabiriyle 鈥渒眉莽眉k askerlere鈥� d枚n眉艧t眉r眉lmesi ad谋m ad谋m g枚r眉l眉yor burada da. 陌lkokul 莽a臒谋ndaki 莽ocuklar谋n siyasetle ili艧kileri, aileleri 眉zerindeki denetleyici yakla艧谋mlar谋, okulda, bir toplulu臒un aras谋ndayken 枚臒rendikleri 艧eylerin aile ortam谋nda 枚臒rendiklerinden daha do臒ru g枚r眉lmesi ve bu masum itaat谋n devlet eliyle nas谋l parti 莽谋karlar谋 i莽in kullan谋ld谋臒谋n谋 okumak, hikayenin ger莽ekli臒i yan谋 ba艧谋n谋zda dururken 莽ok daha rahats谋z edici hale geliyor. Tabii kitap ki艧isel an谋larla devam etse de bir yandan da Arnavutluk鈥檜n 陌kinci D眉nya Sava艧谋 枚ncesi ile i艧 sava艧 s眉reci aras谋nda ge莽i艧lerle 眉lkenin siyasi ve toplumsal yap谋s谋na ve bu yap谋lardaki de臒i艧imlere dair 莽ok fazla bilgiye de sahip oluyorsunuz. 脟眉nk眉 Lea Ypi鈥檔in ailesi siyasal a莽谋dan hem ge莽mi艧le hem de sonras谋yla ilgili 莽ok莽a farkl谋 ba臒lara sahip.
Kitap bir b眉t眉n olarak 莽ok iyi olsa da son b枚l眉m眉; 眉lkesi bir i莽 sava艧a s眉r眉klenmi艧ken ailesinin her bir 眉yesi i莽in ayr谋 ayr谋 endi艧elenmek zorunda kalan ve bir yandan da gelece臒ini belirlemeye 莽al谋艧an bir gen莽 k谋z谋n g眉nl眉臒眉nden okumak 莽ok zorlay谋c谋yd谋. 240 sayfal谋k bir kitap okumama ra臒men sanki 500-600 sayfa okumu艧 gibi hissediyorum. Bunu k枚t眉 anlamda s枚ylemiyorum asla.Kitapta anlat谋lan 艧eyler o kadar yo臒un ve dolu ki siz okuduk莽a geni艧liyor adeta. Kitap bitti臒inde yazar谋n g眉n眉m眉zde d眉艧眉ncelerini ifade etti臒i 鈥淪ondeyi艧鈥� k谋sm谋 ise ayr谋ca k谋ymetli. Kitap boyunca size d眉艧眉nd眉rd眉臒眉 鈥溍秡g眉rl眉k鈥� kavram谋na dair bir yeni kol daha ekliyor. Benim gibi, 97 y谋l谋nda Arnavutluk鈥檛a olanlar谋 televizyondan ve gazetelerden g枚rm眉艧 takip etmi艧 ya艧larda olanlar i莽inse; 莽ocuk zihniyle uzaktan g枚rd眉臒眉 ve anlam vermeye 莽al谋艧t谋臒谋 olaylar silsilesine biraz daha i莽eriden bakmak a莽谋s谋ndan ayr谋 bir yere sahip olacakt谋r. Ben 莽ok sevdim, herkese tavsiye ederim.
November 28, 2024
4,5 鉁� Educa葲ia e singura modalitate pentru a face lumin膬 卯n mijlocul 卯ntunericului. Ea a fost mereu un colac de salvare, doar cu ajutorul sau po葲i cunoa葯te libertatea, 葯i a葯a va r膬m芒ne, de葯i 卯n zilele noastre alte valori sunt promovate.
Istoria, etapele 葯i efectele unor regimuri politice aflate la putere, se repet膬 indiferent de pozi葲ionarea pe glob.
Roman politic despre via葲a unei familii de intelectuali, tr膬it膬 pe t膬r芒muri albaneze, de-a lungul ultimului secol; ac葲iune care ar fi putut fi plasat膬 la fel de bine 卯n oricare alta dintre 葲膬rile fostului bloc comunist.
Mi-a pl膬cut mult, nu 葯tiam mare lucru despre Albania, am 卯nv膬葲at multe lucruri citind acest roman fic葲ional cu tent膬 auto-biografic膬, pe care 卯l recomand cu c膬ldur膬.
Lea e concis膬, circumspect膬 葯i extrem de complex膬 卯n g芒ndire. Foarte bun膬 scrierea sa, f膬r膬 a fi lipsit膬 de profunzime sau c膬ldur膬.
Multe citate/ idei mi-au bucurat sufletul, las mai jos c芒teva pentru a putea reveni la ele:
鈥淪膬 fii liber, a zis, 卯nseamn膬 s膬 fii con葯tient de propriile nevoi.鈥�
鈥淟ibertatea nu e sacrificat膬 doar c芒nd al葲ii ne dicteaz膬 ce s膬 zicem, unde s膬 mergem, cum s膬 ne comport膬m. O societate care pretinde c膬 le d膬 oamenilor posibilitatea s膬-葯i 卯n葲eleag膬 poten葲ialul, dar nu reu葯e葯te s膬 schimbe structurile care 卯i 卯mpiedic膬 pe to葲i s膬 prospere este tot una opresiv膬. 葮i totu葯i, 卯n ciuda tuturor constr芒ngerilor, nu ne pierdem niciodat膬 libertatea interioar膬: libertatea de a face ce este corect.鈥�
鈥淒oar adev膬rul este liber 葯i doar atunci libertatea devine real膬.鈥�
鈥溍巒 orice caz, a ad膬ugat lu芒ndu-葯i o min膬 serioas膬, concentrarea pe aparen葲e, mai degrab膬 dec芒t pe ceea ce conteaz膬 cu adev膬rat, era o gre葯eal膬 imperialist膬 tipic膬. Stalin era un gigant, iar faptele lui erau de departe mult mai relevante dec芒t fizicul s膬u.鈥�
鈥淣u m膬 g芒ndisem prea mult la libertate. Nici nu era nevoie. Aveam libertate din plin. Eram at芒t de liber膬, 卯nc芒t adesea resim葲eam libertatea ca pe o povar膬 葯i, uneori, cum se 卯nt芒mpla 卯n ziua aceea, ca pe o amenin葲are.鈥�
鈥淧e la sf芒r葯itul anilor 鈥�40, c芒nd 16 Iugoslavia s-a dezis de Stalin, noi am ales s膬 ne separ膬m de ea. 脦n anii 鈥�60, c芒nd Hru葯ciov a f膬cut de ru葯ine mo葯tenirea lui Stalin 葯i ne-a acuzat de 鈥瀌evia葲ionism na葲ionalist de st芒nga鈥�, am rupt leg膬turile diplomatice cu Uniunea Sovietic膬. La sf芒r葯itul anilor 鈥�70, am renun葲at la alian葲a cu China atunci c芒nd aceasta a decis s膬 se 卯mbog膬葲easc膬 葯i s膬 tr膬deze Revolu葲ia Cultural膬. Nu conta. Eram 卯nconjura葲i de du葯mani puternici, dar 葯tiam c膬 noi suntem de partea bun膬 a istoriei.鈥�
鈥淰orbeau adesea despre revolu葲ia nicaraguan膬 葯i despre R膬zboiul din Insulele Falkland; se entuziasmau de 卯nceputul negocierilor pentru a pune cap膬t apartheidului din Africa de Sud.鈥�
鈥淧ovestea vie葲ii mele nu era povestea evenimentelor care se 卯nt芒mplaser膬 卯ntr-o anumit膬 perioad膬 de timp, ci povestea c膬ut膬rii 卯ntreb膬rilor potrivite, 卯ntreb膬ri pe care nu m膬 g芒ndisem s膬 le pun.鈥�
鈥淣u aveam acces la r膬spunsurile corecte pentru c膬 nu 葯tiam s膬 pun 卯ntreb膬rile corecte. Dar cum ar fi putut fi altfel? 脦mi iubeam familia. Aveam 卯ncredere 卯n ei. Acceptam tot ce 卯mi serveau ca s膬-mi satisfac curiozitatea. 脦n c膬utarea unor certitudini, m膬 bazam pe ei s膬 m膬 ajute s膬 m膬 prind cum merg lucrurile 卯n lume. Nu mi-a trecut niciodat膬 prin minte, 卯nainte de acea zi din decembrie
1990, dup膬 卯nt芒lnirea cu Stalin 卯n ploaie, c膬 familia mea era sursa nu doar a tuturor certitudinilor, dar 葯i a tuturor 卯ndoielilor.鈥�
鈥淐redea c膬 nu ne mo葯tenim opiniile politice, ci suntem liberi s膬 le alegem 葯i c膬 le alegem pe cele care ni se par corecte, nu pe cele mai convenabile sau care ne servesc cel mai bine interesele.鈥�
鈥淐芒nd libertatea a venit 卯n cele din urm膬, a fost ca un preparat servit congelat 卯nc膬. Am mestecat un
pic, am 卯nghi葲it rapid 葯i am r膬mas nem芒nca葲i. Unii se 卯ntrebau dac膬 nu cumva ni se d膬duser膬 doar resturile. Al葲ii atr膬geau aten葲ia c膬 sunt doar aperitivele reci.鈥�
鈥淭imp de jum膬tate de secol, to葲i am 卯mp膬rt膬葯it aceea葯i structur膬 a cooper膬rii 葯i opresiunii, 卯ndeplinind roluri sociale care aveau acum s膬 fie cu totul diferite, chiar dac膬 b膬rba葲ii 葯i femeile care le jucau r膬m芒neau aceia葯i. Rude, vecini, colegi au luptat unul 卯mpotriva altuia 葯i s-au sus葲inut unii pe al葲ii, au b膬nuit 葯i au fost b膬nui葲i 卯n chip metodic 卯n timp ce construiau leg膬turi pe care te puteai baza. Aceia葯i oameni care se spionaser膬 reciproc oferiser膬 葯i o ascunz膬toare protectoare. Gardienii de 卯nchisoare fuseser膬 de葲inu葲i, victimele fuseser膬 f膬pta葯i. Nu voi 葯ti niciodat膬 dac膬 clasele muncitore葯ti care au defilat de 1 mai erau acelea葯i care au protestat la 卯nceputul lui decembrie. Nu o s膬 葯tiu niciodat膬 cine a葯 fi fost dac膬 a葯 fi pus alte 卯ntreb膬ri sau dac膬 卯ntreb膬rile mele ar fi primit alte r膬spunsuri sau nu ar fi primit niciun r膬spuns. Lucrurile au stat 卯ntr-un fel 葯i apoi au stat altfel. Fusesem cineva 葯i apoi am devenit altcineva.鈥�
鈥淰estul petrecuse decenii critic芒nd Estul pentru grani葲ele sale 卯nchise, finan葲芒nd campanii care militau pentru libertatea de mi葯care, condamn芒nd imoralitatea statelor care 卯葯i f膬cuser膬 o misiune din restric葲ionarea dreptului de a ie葯i. Exila葲ii no葯tri erau privi葲i ca ni葯te eroi. Acum erau trata葲i ca ni葯te infractori. Poate c膬 libertatea de mi葯care nu contase niciodat膬 cu adev膬rat. Era u葯or s膬 militezi pentru ea c芒nd altcineva f膬cea treaba murdar膬 de 卯ntemni葲are. Dar ce valoare avea dreptul de a ie葯i atunci c芒nd nu exista niciun drept de a intra?鈥�
鈥淢ama nu s-a luptat 葯i nu 葯i-a 卯nvins fricile. Ea nu a 葯tiut de la bun 卯nceput ce e frica.鈥�
鈥淏unica ne 卯nv膬葲ase pe to葲i s膬 d膬m tot ce putem chiar 葯i atunci c芒nd avem lucruri m膬runte de f膬cut, s膬 卯ncerc膬m mereu s膬 ne asum膬m consecin葲ele, chiar dac膬 nu ne putem asuma cauzele. Nu putea s膬 admit膬 c膬 nu reu葯e葯te s膬-葯i 卯ndeplineasc膬 rolul.鈥�
鈥淒ac膬 le uit numele, o s膬 le uit 葯i vie葲ile (鈥�) Nu vor mai fi oameni, vor deveni cifre. Aspira葲iile, temerile lor nu vor mai conta. Ne vom aminti doar regulile, nu 葯i pe cei c膬rora li se aplic膬. Ne vom g芒ndi doar la ordine, nu 葯i la scopul pe care 卯l servesc.鈥�
鈥溍巒tr-o fost膬 葲ar膬 comunist膬, zicea ea, nu exist膬 st芒nga sau dreapta, doar 'nostalgici comuni葯ti' 葯i 鈥瀕iberali care nutresc speran葲e鈥�.鈥�
Istoria, etapele 葯i efectele unor regimuri politice aflate la putere, se repet膬 indiferent de pozi葲ionarea pe glob.
Roman politic despre via葲a unei familii de intelectuali, tr膬it膬 pe t膬r芒muri albaneze, de-a lungul ultimului secol; ac葲iune care ar fi putut fi plasat膬 la fel de bine 卯n oricare alta dintre 葲膬rile fostului bloc comunist.
Mi-a pl膬cut mult, nu 葯tiam mare lucru despre Albania, am 卯nv膬葲at multe lucruri citind acest roman fic葲ional cu tent膬 auto-biografic膬, pe care 卯l recomand cu c膬ldur膬.
Lea e concis膬, circumspect膬 葯i extrem de complex膬 卯n g芒ndire. Foarte bun膬 scrierea sa, f膬r膬 a fi lipsit膬 de profunzime sau c膬ldur膬.
Multe citate/ idei mi-au bucurat sufletul, las mai jos c芒teva pentru a putea reveni la ele:
鈥淪膬 fii liber, a zis, 卯nseamn膬 s膬 fii con葯tient de propriile nevoi.鈥�
鈥淟ibertatea nu e sacrificat膬 doar c芒nd al葲ii ne dicteaz膬 ce s膬 zicem, unde s膬 mergem, cum s膬 ne comport膬m. O societate care pretinde c膬 le d膬 oamenilor posibilitatea s膬-葯i 卯n葲eleag膬 poten葲ialul, dar nu reu葯e葯te s膬 schimbe structurile care 卯i 卯mpiedic膬 pe to葲i s膬 prospere este tot una opresiv膬. 葮i totu葯i, 卯n ciuda tuturor constr芒ngerilor, nu ne pierdem niciodat膬 libertatea interioar膬: libertatea de a face ce este corect.鈥�
鈥淒oar adev膬rul este liber 葯i doar atunci libertatea devine real膬.鈥�
鈥溍巒 orice caz, a ad膬ugat lu芒ndu-葯i o min膬 serioas膬, concentrarea pe aparen葲e, mai degrab膬 dec芒t pe ceea ce conteaz膬 cu adev膬rat, era o gre葯eal膬 imperialist膬 tipic膬. Stalin era un gigant, iar faptele lui erau de departe mult mai relevante dec芒t fizicul s膬u.鈥�
鈥淣u m膬 g芒ndisem prea mult la libertate. Nici nu era nevoie. Aveam libertate din plin. Eram at芒t de liber膬, 卯nc芒t adesea resim葲eam libertatea ca pe o povar膬 葯i, uneori, cum se 卯nt芒mpla 卯n ziua aceea, ca pe o amenin葲are.鈥�
鈥淧e la sf芒r葯itul anilor 鈥�40, c芒nd 16 Iugoslavia s-a dezis de Stalin, noi am ales s膬 ne separ膬m de ea. 脦n anii 鈥�60, c芒nd Hru葯ciov a f膬cut de ru葯ine mo葯tenirea lui Stalin 葯i ne-a acuzat de 鈥瀌evia葲ionism na葲ionalist de st芒nga鈥�, am rupt leg膬turile diplomatice cu Uniunea Sovietic膬. La sf芒r葯itul anilor 鈥�70, am renun葲at la alian葲a cu China atunci c芒nd aceasta a decis s膬 se 卯mbog膬葲easc膬 葯i s膬 tr膬deze Revolu葲ia Cultural膬. Nu conta. Eram 卯nconjura葲i de du葯mani puternici, dar 葯tiam c膬 noi suntem de partea bun膬 a istoriei.鈥�
鈥淰orbeau adesea despre revolu葲ia nicaraguan膬 葯i despre R膬zboiul din Insulele Falkland; se entuziasmau de 卯nceputul negocierilor pentru a pune cap膬t apartheidului din Africa de Sud.鈥�
鈥淧ovestea vie葲ii mele nu era povestea evenimentelor care se 卯nt芒mplaser膬 卯ntr-o anumit膬 perioad膬 de timp, ci povestea c膬ut膬rii 卯ntreb膬rilor potrivite, 卯ntreb膬ri pe care nu m膬 g芒ndisem s膬 le pun.鈥�
鈥淣u aveam acces la r膬spunsurile corecte pentru c膬 nu 葯tiam s膬 pun 卯ntreb膬rile corecte. Dar cum ar fi putut fi altfel? 脦mi iubeam familia. Aveam 卯ncredere 卯n ei. Acceptam tot ce 卯mi serveau ca s膬-mi satisfac curiozitatea. 脦n c膬utarea unor certitudini, m膬 bazam pe ei s膬 m膬 ajute s膬 m膬 prind cum merg lucrurile 卯n lume. Nu mi-a trecut niciodat膬 prin minte, 卯nainte de acea zi din decembrie
1990, dup膬 卯nt芒lnirea cu Stalin 卯n ploaie, c膬 familia mea era sursa nu doar a tuturor certitudinilor, dar 葯i a tuturor 卯ndoielilor.鈥�
鈥淐redea c膬 nu ne mo葯tenim opiniile politice, ci suntem liberi s膬 le alegem 葯i c膬 le alegem pe cele care ni se par corecte, nu pe cele mai convenabile sau care ne servesc cel mai bine interesele.鈥�
鈥淐芒nd libertatea a venit 卯n cele din urm膬, a fost ca un preparat servit congelat 卯nc膬. Am mestecat un
pic, am 卯nghi葲it rapid 葯i am r膬mas nem芒nca葲i. Unii se 卯ntrebau dac膬 nu cumva ni se d膬duser膬 doar resturile. Al葲ii atr膬geau aten葲ia c膬 sunt doar aperitivele reci.鈥�
鈥淭imp de jum膬tate de secol, to葲i am 卯mp膬rt膬葯it aceea葯i structur膬 a cooper膬rii 葯i opresiunii, 卯ndeplinind roluri sociale care aveau acum s膬 fie cu totul diferite, chiar dac膬 b膬rba葲ii 葯i femeile care le jucau r膬m芒neau aceia葯i. Rude, vecini, colegi au luptat unul 卯mpotriva altuia 葯i s-au sus葲inut unii pe al葲ii, au b膬nuit 葯i au fost b膬nui葲i 卯n chip metodic 卯n timp ce construiau leg膬turi pe care te puteai baza. Aceia葯i oameni care se spionaser膬 reciproc oferiser膬 葯i o ascunz膬toare protectoare. Gardienii de 卯nchisoare fuseser膬 de葲inu葲i, victimele fuseser膬 f膬pta葯i. Nu voi 葯ti niciodat膬 dac膬 clasele muncitore葯ti care au defilat de 1 mai erau acelea葯i care au protestat la 卯nceputul lui decembrie. Nu o s膬 葯tiu niciodat膬 cine a葯 fi fost dac膬 a葯 fi pus alte 卯ntreb膬ri sau dac膬 卯ntreb膬rile mele ar fi primit alte r膬spunsuri sau nu ar fi primit niciun r膬spuns. Lucrurile au stat 卯ntr-un fel 葯i apoi au stat altfel. Fusesem cineva 葯i apoi am devenit altcineva.鈥�
鈥淰estul petrecuse decenii critic芒nd Estul pentru grani葲ele sale 卯nchise, finan葲芒nd campanii care militau pentru libertatea de mi葯care, condamn芒nd imoralitatea statelor care 卯葯i f膬cuser膬 o misiune din restric葲ionarea dreptului de a ie葯i. Exila葲ii no葯tri erau privi葲i ca ni葯te eroi. Acum erau trata葲i ca ni葯te infractori. Poate c膬 libertatea de mi葯care nu contase niciodat膬 cu adev膬rat. Era u葯or s膬 militezi pentru ea c芒nd altcineva f膬cea treaba murdar膬 de 卯ntemni葲are. Dar ce valoare avea dreptul de a ie葯i atunci c芒nd nu exista niciun drept de a intra?鈥�
鈥淢ama nu s-a luptat 葯i nu 葯i-a 卯nvins fricile. Ea nu a 葯tiut de la bun 卯nceput ce e frica.鈥�
鈥淏unica ne 卯nv膬葲ase pe to葲i s膬 d膬m tot ce putem chiar 葯i atunci c芒nd avem lucruri m膬runte de f膬cut, s膬 卯ncerc膬m mereu s膬 ne asum膬m consecin葲ele, chiar dac膬 nu ne putem asuma cauzele. Nu putea s膬 admit膬 c膬 nu reu葯e葯te s膬-葯i 卯ndeplineasc膬 rolul.鈥�
鈥淒ac膬 le uit numele, o s膬 le uit 葯i vie葲ile (鈥�) Nu vor mai fi oameni, vor deveni cifre. Aspira葲iile, temerile lor nu vor mai conta. Ne vom aminti doar regulile, nu 葯i pe cei c膬rora li se aplic膬. Ne vom g芒ndi doar la ordine, nu 葯i la scopul pe care 卯l servesc.鈥�
鈥溍巒tr-o fost膬 葲ar膬 comunist膬, zicea ea, nu exist膬 st芒nga sau dreapta, doar 'nostalgici comuni葯ti' 葯i 鈥瀕iberali care nutresc speran葲e鈥�.鈥�
January 30, 2022
(3.75) I knew next to nothing about Communist Albania (apart from what showed up in the novel Brass) before picking this up on account of its shortlisting for the Costa Award. It鈥檚 pretty astonishing that there was a country still in this condition in the 1970s-80s: Ypi writes, 鈥淲hen I was born, the chances of survival were put at thirty per cent. My parents dared not give me a name but celebrated the hospital number I was assigned: 471.鈥� Days-long queues for food and kerosene were common. The cover tells a humorous yet troubling story: an empty Coke can, displayed as a decoration, was a status symbol fought over by her family and their neighbours. People were desperate to get out of the country.
There came a turning point in December 1990, when the first free election in decades was held, but civil war was still on the way in 1997, a time Ypi records through her diary entries from the time. I enjoyed the recreation of her childhood perspective, though I might have liked at least a short retrospective section from adulthood. The book is quite funny despite the often sobering realities of life as she recounts her parents鈥� shifting fortunes and the fates of friends and classmates. I was surprised to learn that the family was Muslim, and that the author鈥檚 first language was French thanks to her grandmother; Albania is a real mix of cultures (I had to look on a map: it鈥檚 above Greece and just across a short stretch of water from Italy).
In an epilogue, Ypi writes that this book was initially going to be more of a political and philosophical study 鈥渁bout the overlapping ideas of freedom in the liberal and socialist traditions鈥�; I鈥檓 glad we got this instead, as there were already two general nonfiction studies of freedom published in 2021, by Olivia Laing and Maggie Nelson, and a third would have felt like overkill plus would have lacked the charm of a memoir of childhood. 鈥淭his book was written mostly from a cupboard in Berlin during the Covid-19 pandemic,鈥� she says. In her grandmother鈥檚 words, 鈥淲hen it鈥檚 difficult to see clearly into the future, you have to think about what you can learn from the past.鈥�
There came a turning point in December 1990, when the first free election in decades was held, but civil war was still on the way in 1997, a time Ypi records through her diary entries from the time. I enjoyed the recreation of her childhood perspective, though I might have liked at least a short retrospective section from adulthood. The book is quite funny despite the often sobering realities of life as she recounts her parents鈥� shifting fortunes and the fates of friends and classmates. I was surprised to learn that the family was Muslim, and that the author鈥檚 first language was French thanks to her grandmother; Albania is a real mix of cultures (I had to look on a map: it鈥檚 above Greece and just across a short stretch of water from Italy).
In an epilogue, Ypi writes that this book was initially going to be more of a political and philosophical study 鈥渁bout the overlapping ideas of freedom in the liberal and socialist traditions鈥�; I鈥檓 glad we got this instead, as there were already two general nonfiction studies of freedom published in 2021, by Olivia Laing and Maggie Nelson, and a third would have felt like overkill plus would have lacked the charm of a memoir of childhood. 鈥淭his book was written mostly from a cupboard in Berlin during the Covid-19 pandemic,鈥� she says. In her grandmother鈥檚 words, 鈥淲hen it鈥檚 difficult to see clearly into the future, you have to think about what you can learn from the past.鈥�
February 2, 2022
This is an intensely moving, beautifully written book of political philosophy, which happens to take the form of a personal memoir. 'Free' recounts the author's childhood experience of late-communism, transition, liberalism, civil war, and state failure.
Author Lea Ypi presents us with two broad conceptions of freedom, mapping loosely onto what Isaiah Berlin referred to as 'positive' and 'negative' liberty. She describes an idyllic childhood under latter-day Albanian Stalinism - a poor and frustrated society, but one with little destitution and a strong sense of collective solidarity and security. She then describes her traumatic teenage years under the transition to capitalism, a society where hope and endless possibility gave way to new and unforeseen forms of injustice and brutality.
We find ourselves bearing witness to the fate of Ypi's parents, and the contrast with her own fate. Her parents were doomed to a meagre, stifling existence under socialism because they were the children of high ranking fascists. Ypi herself, a model young pioneer of communism, was betrayed by the violence of the 'free' society her own parents personally ushered into being.
Ypi also describes the never-to-be society that lives in the hearts of dreamers. The society wished for by liberals like Ypi's father - who watched in horror as Albania was burned to the ground in the name of post-socialist 'structural adjustment' - and by the Western leftists she later befriended, who refused to recognise any socialism other than in the effigies of revolutionaries who were lucky enough to be killed before they became killers.
Although the text is not prescriptive - it is a work of philosophy, not a manifesto - it is hard not feel that Ypi's ultimate sympathies lie with Stalinists of her childhood rather than the neoliberals of her adolescence. In some ways, the torturers of Albania's prison camps are painted in more sympathetic colours than her own mother. The character of Ypi's mother emerges as an Ayn Rand-esque libertarian who, after brief moments of triumph during the fall of communism, ends her days cleaning the homes of strangers as a refugee from the Hobbesian nightmare she did her utmost to set in motion. Further, Ypi's gentle denouncement of dreamers leads me to feel that she has - in some Faustian sense - reconciled herself with old Uncle Enver.
However, in a text as rich and complex as Free, it's easy to speculate about the author's motives. It's also easy to project your own convictions and preconceptions onto the text, and perhaps that's what I've done above. However, this is why the book is such a delight to read. Heartbreaking though it is, 'Free' has the enjoyment value of a great novel, while challenging the reader as thoroughly as any theoretical tract.
I would place into the school of 'revisionist' scholars who have, in recent years, been weighing in the balance both the failures and the achievements of post-war European socialism. An analysis that has only recently become possible now that the totalising atmosphere of liberal triumph has begun to exhaust itself. I would read her alongside authors like and , and no doubt many contemporary socialists will do likewise. Free, however, seems to have achieved wild success well beyond a left wing audience and has been lauded by the liberal mainstream. I wonder to what extent that mainstream will take its insights to heart.
Author Lea Ypi presents us with two broad conceptions of freedom, mapping loosely onto what Isaiah Berlin referred to as 'positive' and 'negative' liberty. She describes an idyllic childhood under latter-day Albanian Stalinism - a poor and frustrated society, but one with little destitution and a strong sense of collective solidarity and security. She then describes her traumatic teenage years under the transition to capitalism, a society where hope and endless possibility gave way to new and unforeseen forms of injustice and brutality.
We find ourselves bearing witness to the fate of Ypi's parents, and the contrast with her own fate. Her parents were doomed to a meagre, stifling existence under socialism because they were the children of high ranking fascists. Ypi herself, a model young pioneer of communism, was betrayed by the violence of the 'free' society her own parents personally ushered into being.
Ypi also describes the never-to-be society that lives in the hearts of dreamers. The society wished for by liberals like Ypi's father - who watched in horror as Albania was burned to the ground in the name of post-socialist 'structural adjustment' - and by the Western leftists she later befriended, who refused to recognise any socialism other than in the effigies of revolutionaries who were lucky enough to be killed before they became killers.
Although the text is not prescriptive - it is a work of philosophy, not a manifesto - it is hard not feel that Ypi's ultimate sympathies lie with Stalinists of her childhood rather than the neoliberals of her adolescence. In some ways, the torturers of Albania's prison camps are painted in more sympathetic colours than her own mother. The character of Ypi's mother emerges as an Ayn Rand-esque libertarian who, after brief moments of triumph during the fall of communism, ends her days cleaning the homes of strangers as a refugee from the Hobbesian nightmare she did her utmost to set in motion. Further, Ypi's gentle denouncement of dreamers leads me to feel that she has - in some Faustian sense - reconciled herself with old Uncle Enver.
However, in a text as rich and complex as Free, it's easy to speculate about the author's motives. It's also easy to project your own convictions and preconceptions onto the text, and perhaps that's what I've done above. However, this is why the book is such a delight to read. Heartbreaking though it is, 'Free' has the enjoyment value of a great novel, while challenging the reader as thoroughly as any theoretical tract.
I would place into the school of 'revisionist' scholars who have, in recent years, been weighing in the balance both the failures and the achievements of post-war European socialism. An analysis that has only recently become possible now that the totalising atmosphere of liberal triumph has begun to exhaust itself. I would read her alongside authors like and , and no doubt many contemporary socialists will do likewise. Free, however, seems to have achieved wild success well beyond a left wing audience and has been lauded by the liberal mainstream. I wonder to what extent that mainstream will take its insights to heart.
December 7, 2024
Lea Ypi has written a classic, a compulsive and highly recommended read. 鈥楩ree: A Child and a Country at the End of History鈥� (2022) is a memoir written in a coming-of-age structure that takes us from her childhood to her teenage years, as she tells us about life in Albania in the 1980-90s, between the last years of communism and the first years of liberalism. In the first part, Ypi returns to her childhood, revealing how the world of ideals was created and maintained around her by her school teacher and the half-truths of her parents and grandparents. When the dictatorship falls in 1990, her world is transformed overnight, with her parents revealing to her that they had never supported the party, nor Enver Hoxha or Stalin. Ypi discovers overnight that all her references had been built on a lie...
Texto complete em portugu锚s, com excertos e v铆deo, no Narrativa X:
Texto complete em portugu锚s, com excertos e v铆deo, no Narrativa X:
April 20, 2022
3.5 stars
An interesting memoir, one I didn鈥檛 entirely connect with but still found to be a worthwhile read. Lea Ypi grew up in Albania, which until she was 11 was an isolated nation under one-party Stalinist rule. Not knowing anything else, she was a happily indoctrinated kid, and in for a shock when the regime fell and she learned about her family鈥檚 secrets and her country鈥檚 dark side. The memoir is about her childhood and teenage years, and largely told from a child鈥檚 perspective, which allows the reader to enter into her worldview and make discoveries alongside her (I admit, I hadn鈥檛 figured out her family鈥檚 code either before she explained it). And it is well-written and insightful about the key people in her life, namely her mother, father and grandmother. The author relates many episodes from her life quite vividly, and I learned a fair bit about Albania both during and after one-party rule.
That said, the author is now a philosophy professor and it shows, as she spends a lot of time analyzing the worldviews of her adult relatives, while increasingly coming across as a passive observer in her own memoir. I was startled at the end to discover that this book began as a project to explain to her politically conservative mother how she became a professor of Marxist theory after all the family had been through. Hopefully her mother now gets it, but I鈥檓 afraid I didn鈥檛 quite follow: her childhood indoctrination and disillusionment is there, and we see some insightful critiques of western society鈥檚 inequalities and hypocrisies from the Albanians, as well as the very mixed blessing of 鈥渇reedom.鈥� (After the end of Stalinist rule, Albanians can freely leave the country鈥攐nly to promptly be refused entry by everyone else as unwanted migrants, unless they happen to be rich. They can vote, but many lose their jobs, lose their savings to pyramid schemes, and see neighborhood solidarity and mutual assistance break down as violence and trafficking flourish.) In the epilogue, Ypi goes to college in Italy and is unsettled to see classmates romanticizing socialism without taking into account the experiences of countries like Albania. Then the book ends, without ever showing how she came back around to Marxism鈥攚e can make some educated guesses based on her prior observations, but no more than that.
So as a tale of a woman鈥檚 intellectual journey, this book feels rather incomplete. But as a collection of stories illuminating a childhood in a country most people know little about, I found it engaging, thoughtful and well-written, a window onto a world with which I was not familiar. Certainly worth a read for the interested.
An interesting memoir, one I didn鈥檛 entirely connect with but still found to be a worthwhile read. Lea Ypi grew up in Albania, which until she was 11 was an isolated nation under one-party Stalinist rule. Not knowing anything else, she was a happily indoctrinated kid, and in for a shock when the regime fell and she learned about her family鈥檚 secrets and her country鈥檚 dark side. The memoir is about her childhood and teenage years, and largely told from a child鈥檚 perspective, which allows the reader to enter into her worldview and make discoveries alongside her (I admit, I hadn鈥檛 figured out her family鈥檚 code either before she explained it). And it is well-written and insightful about the key people in her life, namely her mother, father and grandmother. The author relates many episodes from her life quite vividly, and I learned a fair bit about Albania both during and after one-party rule.
That said, the author is now a philosophy professor and it shows, as she spends a lot of time analyzing the worldviews of her adult relatives, while increasingly coming across as a passive observer in her own memoir. I was startled at the end to discover that this book began as a project to explain to her politically conservative mother how she became a professor of Marxist theory after all the family had been through. Hopefully her mother now gets it, but I鈥檓 afraid I didn鈥檛 quite follow: her childhood indoctrination and disillusionment is there, and we see some insightful critiques of western society鈥檚 inequalities and hypocrisies from the Albanians, as well as the very mixed blessing of 鈥渇reedom.鈥� (After the end of Stalinist rule, Albanians can freely leave the country鈥攐nly to promptly be refused entry by everyone else as unwanted migrants, unless they happen to be rich. They can vote, but many lose their jobs, lose their savings to pyramid schemes, and see neighborhood solidarity and mutual assistance break down as violence and trafficking flourish.) In the epilogue, Ypi goes to college in Italy and is unsettled to see classmates romanticizing socialism without taking into account the experiences of countries like Albania. Then the book ends, without ever showing how she came back around to Marxism鈥攚e can make some educated guesses based on her prior observations, but no more than that.
So as a tale of a woman鈥檚 intellectual journey, this book feels rather incomplete. But as a collection of stories illuminating a childhood in a country most people know little about, I found it engaging, thoughtful and well-written, a window onto a world with which I was not familiar. Certainly worth a read for the interested.
May 1, 2024
Five round, loving stars for a memoir is almost unheard of for me 鈥� in fact it has only happened once before. And I don鈥檛 have my copy so I can鈥檛 write a proper review. Tsk.
But the basics: Lea Ypi writes of her Albanian childhood under socialism, and her adolescence as the free economy replaced it. What makes this different from what you (certainly I) might expect is her subtlety, her ability to hold multiple truths in mind at once, and above all her voice and sense of humour. A blend of innocence and irony is the tone for both halves of the book, and they really are halves. Reality unfolds against this voice, and reality changes drastically, but the voice doesn鈥檛: it is the same voice telling us of her childhood love of Stalin, of her mother receiving a French feminist delegation in a nightgown which she considers to be eveningwear, of an orphan who thinks she is his mother and wants to go home with her (the real mother is a prostitute who sends money home from Greece).
I read this with a book club, and was surprised that some people found it sad. And yet how could it not be sad, with the anecdote above? I think the book鈥檚 peculiar magic is to take material that would be very sad in another book, and transform it into something funny and wondrous. And deeply ironic.
An example: post-fall, a Dutchman comes to town. He is some kind of development expert who has been all over the world. Everyone calls him The Crocodile, because he has one on every shirt. They throw a party of him on Ypi鈥檚 street, where they prepare their traditional food, drink their traditional liquor and do their usual dancing. The Crocodile watches and comments, 鈥渁h, this is just like in Ghana. This food reminds me of Ecuador. I鈥檝e had this liquor before in Greece.鈥� The people begin to feel like their customs have no value, that they hardly exist, that nothing they have is in fact theirs.
We have all met a Crocodile, I think, and possibly we have all been a Crocodile.
There is a great deal in the 200 pages of this book. A philosophical examination of what freedom means. A truly striking family history. Well-drawn portraits of very different people.
Everyone in the family had their favourite revolution, Ypi writes, just as they had their favourite fruit. Her mother: watermelon and the English revolution. Young Lea: figs and the Russian revolution. Her father says that he sympathizes with all revolutions, but his favourite is yet to come.
But the basics: Lea Ypi writes of her Albanian childhood under socialism, and her adolescence as the free economy replaced it. What makes this different from what you (certainly I) might expect is her subtlety, her ability to hold multiple truths in mind at once, and above all her voice and sense of humour. A blend of innocence and irony is the tone for both halves of the book, and they really are halves. Reality unfolds against this voice, and reality changes drastically, but the voice doesn鈥檛: it is the same voice telling us of her childhood love of Stalin, of her mother receiving a French feminist delegation in a nightgown which she considers to be eveningwear, of an orphan who thinks she is his mother and wants to go home with her (the real mother is a prostitute who sends money home from Greece).
I read this with a book club, and was surprised that some people found it sad. And yet how could it not be sad, with the anecdote above? I think the book鈥檚 peculiar magic is to take material that would be very sad in another book, and transform it into something funny and wondrous. And deeply ironic.
An example: post-fall, a Dutchman comes to town. He is some kind of development expert who has been all over the world. Everyone calls him The Crocodile, because he has one on every shirt. They throw a party of him on Ypi鈥檚 street, where they prepare their traditional food, drink their traditional liquor and do their usual dancing. The Crocodile watches and comments, 鈥渁h, this is just like in Ghana. This food reminds me of Ecuador. I鈥檝e had this liquor before in Greece.鈥� The people begin to feel like their customs have no value, that they hardly exist, that nothing they have is in fact theirs.
We have all met a Crocodile, I think, and possibly we have all been a Crocodile.
There is a great deal in the 200 pages of this book. A philosophical examination of what freedom means. A truly striking family history. Well-drawn portraits of very different people.
Everyone in the family had their favourite revolution, Ypi writes, just as they had their favourite fruit. Her mother: watermelon and the English revolution. Young Lea: figs and the Russian revolution. Her father says that he sympathizes with all revolutions, but his favourite is yet to come.
July 30, 2024
螡蟿蟻苇蟺慰渭伪喂. 螝伪喂 尉苇蟻蔚蟿蔚 纬喂伪蟿委 谓蟿蟻苇蟺慰渭伪喂; 螖喂蠈蟿喂 渭蔚纬伪位蠋谓慰谓蟿伪蟼 蟿畏谓 未蔚魏伪蔚蟿委伪 蟿慰蠀 '90 蟽蟿畏谓 螛蔚蟽蟽伪位慰谓委魏畏 萎蟿伪谓 蟿蟻喂纬蠉蟻蠅 渭慰蠀 蟺维蟻伪 蟺慰位位维 维蟿慰渭伪 慰喂魏慰谓慰渭喂魏慰委 渭蔚蟿伪谓维蟽蟿蔚蟼 伪蟺蠈 蟿畏谓 纬蔚委蟿慰谓伪 蠂蠋蟻伪, 螒位尾伪谓委伪. 螕喂伪蟿委 蔚委蠂伪 蟺慰位蠉 魏伪位萎 蠁委位畏 蟺慰蠀 萎蟿伪谓 伪蟺蠈 蟿畏谓 螒位尾伪谓委伪 魏伪喂 魏维蟺慰喂伪 蟽蟿喂纬渭萎 蠂伪胃萎魏伪渭蔚. 螕喂伪蟿委 伪魏蠈渭伪 魏伪喂 蟿蠋蟻伪 蟺慰位位慰委 伪蟺蠈 伪蠀蟿慰蠉蟼 蟿慰蠀蟼 伪谓胃蟻蠋蟺慰蠀蟼 尾蟻委蟽魏慰谓蟿伪喂 蟽蟿畏谓 螘位位维未伪 魏伪喂 魏维谓慰蠀谓 未慰蠀位蔚喂苇蟼 蟿慰蠀 蟺慰未伪蟻喂慰蠉 蔚谓蠋 蔚委谓伪喂 维谓胃蟻蠅蟺慰喂 渭蔚 蟽蟺慰蠀未苇蟼. 螝伪喂 纬喂伪蟿委 谓蟿蟻苇蟺慰渭伪喂; 螘蟺蔚喂未萎 未蔚谓 蟿慰蠀蟼 蟻蠋蟿畏蟽伪 螤螣韦螘 蟿喂 蟽蠀谓苇尾畏 蟽蟿畏谓 蠂蠋蟻伪 蟿慰蠀蟼 魏伪喂 苇蠁蠀纬伪谓, 未蔚谓 伪谓伪蟻蠅蟿萎胃畏魏伪 蟺慰蟿苇 蔚谓蔚蟻纬维 纬喂伪蟿委 蟿蠈蟽慰喂 慰喂魏慰谓慰渭喂魏慰委 渭蔚蟿伪谓维蟽蟿蔚蟼 尾蟻萎魏伪谓 蟿慰谓 未蟻蠈渭慰 蟿慰蠀蟼 蟽蟿畏谓 螘位位维未伪 渭伪味喂魏维 蟿畏谓 未蔚魏伪蔚蟿委伪 蟿慰蠀 '90;
螤慰蟿苇 未蔚谓 蔚委谓伪喂 伪蟻纬维, 委蟽蠅蟼 魏伪喂 蔚谓 蟺蟻慰魏蔚喂渭苇谓蠅 谓伪 蔚委谓伪喂, 伪位位维 蟺蟻慰蟽蟺伪胃蠋 谓伪 渭维胃蠅 蟺蟻维纬渭伪蟿伪 纬喂伪 蟿慰蠀蟼 纬蔚委蟿慰谓苇蟼 渭伪蟼 魏伪喂 伪蠀蟿蠈 蟿慰 尾喂尾位委慰 萎蟿伪谓 维魏蟻蠅蟼 未喂伪蠁蠅蟿喂蟽蟿喂魏蠈 蠅蟼 蟺蟻慰蟼 伪蠀蟿蠈. 螚 螞苇伪 螣蠉蟺喂 渭伪蟼 蟺蟻慰蟽蠁苇蟻蔚喂 渭喂伪蟼 蟺蟻蠋蟿畏蟼 蟿维尉畏蟼 蔚喂魏蠈谓伪 伪蟺蠈 蟿畏谓 魏位蔚喂未伪蟻蠈蟿蟻蠀蟺伪 伪蠀蟿萎蟼 蟿畏蟼 魏位蔚喂蟽蟿萎蟼 蠂蠋蟻伪蟼 渭苇蟽蠅 蟿慰蠀 伪蠀蟿慰尾喂慰纬蟻伪蠁喂魏慰蠉 蟿畏蟼 伪蠀蟿慰蠉 尾喂尾位委慰蠀.
螤蠋蟼 蔚委谓伪喂 谓伪 味蔚喂蟼 魏维蟿蠅 伪蟺蠈 蟿慰 魏伪胃蔚蟽蟿蠋蟼 蟿慰蠀 围蠈蟿味伪 蟽蟿畏谓 螒位尾伪谓委伪, 蟺蠋蟼 蔚委谓伪喂 谓伪 蟺苇蠁蟿蔚喂 伪蠀蟿蠈 魏伪喂 蔚蟽蠉 谓伪 尾蟻委蟽魏蔚蟽伪喂 渭蔚蟿伪委蠂渭喂伪 伪谓维渭蔚蟽伪 蟽蔚 伪蠀蟿蠈 蟺慰蠀 蟽慰蠀 蔚委蠂伪谓蔚 渭维胃蔚喂 谓伪 蟺喂蟽蟿蔚蠉蔚喂蟼 魏伪喂 蟿畏谓 谓苇伪 魏伪蟿维蟽蟿伪蟽畏; 螤喂蟽蟿蔚蠉蔚喂蟼 蟽蟿慰谓 魏慰渭渭慰蠀谓喂蟽渭蠈 蟿蔚位喂魏维, 蟿慰谓 蟽慰蟽喂伪位喂蟽渭蠈 萎 蟿慰谓 魏伪蟺喂蟿伪位喂蟽渭蠈; 韦喂 纬委谓蔚蟿伪喂 蠈蟿伪谓 蟽蟿畏谓 蠂蠋蟻伪 蟽慰蠀 尉蔚蟽蟺维蔚喂 蔚渭蠁蠉位喂慰蟼 渭蠈位喂蟼 蟿慰 1997 位蠈纬蠅 慰喂魏慰谓慰渭喂魏萎蟼 位喂蟿蠈蟿畏蟿伪蟼 魏伪喂 蟺蠀蟻伪渭委未蠅谓!?
螠蟺慰蟻蔚委 蟿慰 尾喂尾位委慰 谓伪 渭畏谓 蔚委谓伪喂 魏伪渭委伪 "蟽蟺慰蠀未伪委伪 位慰纬慰蟿蔚蠂谓委伪", 渭喂伪蟼 魏伪喂 蟽蟿蠈蠂慰蟼 蟿畏蟼 蟽蠀纬纬蟻伪蠁苇伪 未蔚谓 蔚委谓伪喂 谓伪 魏伪蟿伪蟺位萎尉蔚喂 渭蔚 蟿喂蟼 位苇尉蔚喂蟼 蟿畏蟼, 蠈渭蠅蟼 蔚委谓伪喂 维魏蟻蠅蟼 蔚谓未喂伪蠁苇蟻蠅谓 慰 蟿蟻蠈蟺慰蟼 蟺慰蠀 蟺伪蟻伪胃苇蟿蔚喂 蟿喂蟼 蟺蟻慰蟽蠅蟺喂魏苇蟼 蟿畏蟼 蔚渭蟺蔚喂蟻委蔚蟼, 蠈蠂喂 蟽伪谓 尉蔚蟻维 未蔚未慰渭苇谓伪 纬喂伪 蟿慰 蟺蠋蟼 萎蟿伪谓 畏 味蠅萎 蟽蟿畏谓 螒位尾伪谓委伪 蟿畏谓 蟿维未蔚 蠂蟻慰谓喂魏萎 蟽蟿喂纬渭萎, 伪位位维 渭蔚 尾喂蠋渭伪蟿伪, 蠈蟺蠅蟼 畏 喂蟽蟿慰蟻委伪 渭蔚 蟿慰 魏慰蠀蟿维魏喂 魏慰魏伪 魏蠈位伪蟼. 螤慰蟿苇 未蔚谓 蔚委蠂伪 蟽魏蔚蠁蟿蔚委 蟿蠈蟽畏 蠋蟻伪 纬喂伪 蟿慰 蟿喂 蟽蠀渭尾慰位委味蔚喂 苇谓伪 魏慰蠀蟿维魏喂 魏慰魏伪 魏蠈位伪蟼.
螠慰蠀 维蟻蔚蟽蔚 蟺慰蠀 蟺慰蠀胃蔚谓维 未蔚谓 蟺伪蟻伪蟿萎蟻畏蟽伪 谓伪 蔚委谓伪喂 畏 蟽蠀纬纬蟻伪蠁苇伪蟼 谓慰蟽蟿伪位纬蠈蟼 蟿慰蠀 蟺伪蟻蔚位胃蠈谓蟿慰蟼, 蠈渭蠅蟼 未喂维位蔚尉蔚 谓伪 魏维谓蔚喂 蟽蟺慰蠀未苇蟼 蟺维谓蠅 蟽蟿畏谓 蠁喂位慰蟽慰蠁委伪 蟿慰蠀 渭伪蟻尉喂蟽渭慰蠉, 渭蔚 蟽蟿蠈蠂慰 谓伪 未蔚喂 渭蔚 魏蟻喂蟿喂魏萎 渭伪蟿喂维 蟿慰 魏伪胃蔚蟽蟿蠋蟼 蟽蟿慰 慰蟺慰委慰 渭蔚纬维位蠅蟽蔚. 螠慰蠀 维蟻蔚蟽蔚 蟺慰蠀 蔚委蠂蔚 未蠈蟽蔚喂蟼 蠂喂慰蠉渭慰蟻 渭苇蟽伪 蟽蔚 渭喂伪 未蠉蟽魏慰位畏 蟺蟻伪纬渭伪蟿喂魏蠈蟿畏蟿伪 魏伪喂 蟺慰蠀 尾委蠅谓蔚 蟿畏谓 蔚蠁畏尾蔚委伪 蟿畏蟼 蠅蟼 苇谓伪谓 尾伪胃渭蠈 蔚位蔚蠉胃蔚蟻畏 魏伪喂 蠅蟼 "魏伪谓慰谓喂魏萎 苇蠁畏尾畏".
鈥淪ocialism had succeeded in ripping the veil off women's head, but not in the minds of their men. It had managed to tear chains carrying crosses from their wives' chests, but those chains still shackled their husbands' brains.鈥�
螤慰蟿苇 未蔚谓 蔚委谓伪喂 伪蟻纬维, 委蟽蠅蟼 魏伪喂 蔚谓 蟺蟻慰魏蔚喂渭苇谓蠅 谓伪 蔚委谓伪喂, 伪位位维 蟺蟻慰蟽蟺伪胃蠋 谓伪 渭维胃蠅 蟺蟻维纬渭伪蟿伪 纬喂伪 蟿慰蠀蟼 纬蔚委蟿慰谓苇蟼 渭伪蟼 魏伪喂 伪蠀蟿蠈 蟿慰 尾喂尾位委慰 萎蟿伪谓 维魏蟻蠅蟼 未喂伪蠁蠅蟿喂蟽蟿喂魏蠈 蠅蟼 蟺蟻慰蟼 伪蠀蟿蠈. 螚 螞苇伪 螣蠉蟺喂 渭伪蟼 蟺蟻慰蟽蠁苇蟻蔚喂 渭喂伪蟼 蟺蟻蠋蟿畏蟼 蟿维尉畏蟼 蔚喂魏蠈谓伪 伪蟺蠈 蟿畏谓 魏位蔚喂未伪蟻蠈蟿蟻蠀蟺伪 伪蠀蟿萎蟼 蟿畏蟼 魏位蔚喂蟽蟿萎蟼 蠂蠋蟻伪蟼 渭苇蟽蠅 蟿慰蠀 伪蠀蟿慰尾喂慰纬蟻伪蠁喂魏慰蠉 蟿畏蟼 伪蠀蟿慰蠉 尾喂尾位委慰蠀.
螤蠋蟼 蔚委谓伪喂 谓伪 味蔚喂蟼 魏维蟿蠅 伪蟺蠈 蟿慰 魏伪胃蔚蟽蟿蠋蟼 蟿慰蠀 围蠈蟿味伪 蟽蟿畏谓 螒位尾伪谓委伪, 蟺蠋蟼 蔚委谓伪喂 谓伪 蟺苇蠁蟿蔚喂 伪蠀蟿蠈 魏伪喂 蔚蟽蠉 谓伪 尾蟻委蟽魏蔚蟽伪喂 渭蔚蟿伪委蠂渭喂伪 伪谓维渭蔚蟽伪 蟽蔚 伪蠀蟿蠈 蟺慰蠀 蟽慰蠀 蔚委蠂伪谓蔚 渭维胃蔚喂 谓伪 蟺喂蟽蟿蔚蠉蔚喂蟼 魏伪喂 蟿畏谓 谓苇伪 魏伪蟿维蟽蟿伪蟽畏; 螤喂蟽蟿蔚蠉蔚喂蟼 蟽蟿慰谓 魏慰渭渭慰蠀谓喂蟽渭蠈 蟿蔚位喂魏维, 蟿慰谓 蟽慰蟽喂伪位喂蟽渭蠈 萎 蟿慰谓 魏伪蟺喂蟿伪位喂蟽渭蠈; 韦喂 纬委谓蔚蟿伪喂 蠈蟿伪谓 蟽蟿畏谓 蠂蠋蟻伪 蟽慰蠀 尉蔚蟽蟺维蔚喂 蔚渭蠁蠉位喂慰蟼 渭蠈位喂蟼 蟿慰 1997 位蠈纬蠅 慰喂魏慰谓慰渭喂魏萎蟼 位喂蟿蠈蟿畏蟿伪蟼 魏伪喂 蟺蠀蟻伪渭委未蠅谓!?
螠蟺慰蟻蔚委 蟿慰 尾喂尾位委慰 谓伪 渭畏谓 蔚委谓伪喂 魏伪渭委伪 "蟽蟺慰蠀未伪委伪 位慰纬慰蟿蔚蠂谓委伪", 渭喂伪蟼 魏伪喂 蟽蟿蠈蠂慰蟼 蟿畏蟼 蟽蠀纬纬蟻伪蠁苇伪 未蔚谓 蔚委谓伪喂 谓伪 魏伪蟿伪蟺位萎尉蔚喂 渭蔚 蟿喂蟼 位苇尉蔚喂蟼 蟿畏蟼, 蠈渭蠅蟼 蔚委谓伪喂 维魏蟻蠅蟼 蔚谓未喂伪蠁苇蟻蠅谓 慰 蟿蟻蠈蟺慰蟼 蟺慰蠀 蟺伪蟻伪胃苇蟿蔚喂 蟿喂蟼 蟺蟻慰蟽蠅蟺喂魏苇蟼 蟿畏蟼 蔚渭蟺蔚喂蟻委蔚蟼, 蠈蠂喂 蟽伪谓 尉蔚蟻维 未蔚未慰渭苇谓伪 纬喂伪 蟿慰 蟺蠋蟼 萎蟿伪谓 畏 味蠅萎 蟽蟿畏谓 螒位尾伪谓委伪 蟿畏谓 蟿维未蔚 蠂蟻慰谓喂魏萎 蟽蟿喂纬渭萎, 伪位位维 渭蔚 尾喂蠋渭伪蟿伪, 蠈蟺蠅蟼 畏 喂蟽蟿慰蟻委伪 渭蔚 蟿慰 魏慰蠀蟿维魏喂 魏慰魏伪 魏蠈位伪蟼. 螤慰蟿苇 未蔚谓 蔚委蠂伪 蟽魏蔚蠁蟿蔚委 蟿蠈蟽畏 蠋蟻伪 纬喂伪 蟿慰 蟿喂 蟽蠀渭尾慰位委味蔚喂 苇谓伪 魏慰蠀蟿维魏喂 魏慰魏伪 魏蠈位伪蟼.
螠慰蠀 维蟻蔚蟽蔚 蟺慰蠀 蟺慰蠀胃蔚谓维 未蔚谓 蟺伪蟻伪蟿萎蟻畏蟽伪 谓伪 蔚委谓伪喂 畏 蟽蠀纬纬蟻伪蠁苇伪蟼 谓慰蟽蟿伪位纬蠈蟼 蟿慰蠀 蟺伪蟻蔚位胃蠈谓蟿慰蟼, 蠈渭蠅蟼 未喂维位蔚尉蔚 谓伪 魏维谓蔚喂 蟽蟺慰蠀未苇蟼 蟺维谓蠅 蟽蟿畏谓 蠁喂位慰蟽慰蠁委伪 蟿慰蠀 渭伪蟻尉喂蟽渭慰蠉, 渭蔚 蟽蟿蠈蠂慰 谓伪 未蔚喂 渭蔚 魏蟻喂蟿喂魏萎 渭伪蟿喂维 蟿慰 魏伪胃蔚蟽蟿蠋蟼 蟽蟿慰 慰蟺慰委慰 渭蔚纬维位蠅蟽蔚. 螠慰蠀 维蟻蔚蟽蔚 蟺慰蠀 蔚委蠂蔚 未蠈蟽蔚喂蟼 蠂喂慰蠉渭慰蟻 渭苇蟽伪 蟽蔚 渭喂伪 未蠉蟽魏慰位畏 蟺蟻伪纬渭伪蟿喂魏蠈蟿畏蟿伪 魏伪喂 蟺慰蠀 尾委蠅谓蔚 蟿畏谓 蔚蠁畏尾蔚委伪 蟿畏蟼 蠅蟼 苇谓伪谓 尾伪胃渭蠈 蔚位蔚蠉胃蔚蟻畏 魏伪喂 蠅蟼 "魏伪谓慰谓喂魏萎 苇蠁畏尾畏".
鈥淪ocialism had succeeded in ripping the veil off women's head, but not in the minds of their men. It had managed to tear chains carrying crosses from their wives' chests, but those chains still shackled their husbands' brains.鈥�
December 1, 2023
Bay谋ld谋m bu kitaba. 1979'da, kom眉nist Arnavutluk'ta do臒an ve 莽ocuklu臒unu kom眉nist bir devlette ge莽iren, ard谋ndan ilk gen莽lik d枚neminde rejim de臒i艧ikli臒ine ve liberal ekonomiye ge莽i艧i deneyimleyen ve bildi臒i d眉nyan谋n tamamen tepetaklak olmas谋na, sosyalist oldu臒unu d眉艧眉nd眉臒眉 anne-babas谋n谋n bile asl谋nda hayatta kalmak i莽in kendilerini gizleyen muhalifler oldu臒una tan谋k olan bir kad谋n Lea Ypi. Kitab谋n alt ba艧l谋臒谋ndaki gibi "her 艧ey par莽alan谋rken b眉y眉me"yi 枚yle g眉zel anlat谋yor ki, hayranl谋kla okudum. Kendisi siyaset bilimi alan谋nda 莽al谋艧an bir akademisyen oldu臒u i莽in hem bu b眉y眉k toplumsal konuyu m眉kemmelen 莽er莽eveliyor, hem de 枚zellikle 莽ocuklu臒unu anlatt谋臒谋 d枚nemleri yazarken b眉y眉k bir maharetle geri d枚n眉p bir 莽ocu臒un anlamland谋rma ihtiyac谋n谋, d眉nyan谋n belirsizli臒ini ve tan谋ms谋zl谋臒谋n谋 m眉kemmelen hissettirerek yaz谋yor. Dolay谋s谋yla hem 莽ok ak谋艧kan, hem 莽ok derinlikli bir metin 莽谋k谋yor ortaya.
Asl谋nda sosyalizme dair bir inceleme yazmak niyetiyle ba艧lam谋艧 Ypi bu kitaba ancak bunu salt teorik bir 莽er莽eveden, kendi tan谋kl谋臒谋n谋 katmadan yazamayaca臒谋n谋 anlam谋艧 ve kitap bir an谋 kitab谋na d枚n眉艧m眉艧, iyi ki de 枚yle olmu艧 莽眉nk眉 bence tan谋kl谋臒谋 m眉thi艧 k谋ymetli. Kitab谋n ad谋na dair bir not: her iki sistemin farkl谋 bi莽imlerde tan谋mlad谋臒谋 枚zg眉rl眉k kavram谋na ve asl谋nda her ikisinin de insanlara sundu臒u 艧eyin 枚zg眉rl眉k olmay谋艧谋na dair 莽ok derinlikli bir sorgulamaya da giri艧iyor Ypi. "Avrupa'n谋n k谋y谋s谋nda olma" h芒li a莽谋s谋ndan Arnavutluk'un deneyiminin bizim 眉lkemizinkiyle de pek 莽ok a莽谋dan benzerlik g枚sterdi臒ini d眉艧眉nd眉臒眉m i莽in okuman谋z谋 莽ok arzu ederim. Bonus: izleyenler, Annie Ernaux'nun o臒luyla yapt谋臒谋 "S眉per 8 Y谋llar谋" belgeselindeki Arnavutluk seyahatini de hat谋rlas谋nlar okurken.
艦u al谋nt谋yla bitireyim: "Benim ailem sosyalizmi s谋n谋rlanmayla e艧it say谋yordu: kim olmak istediklerinin, hata yapma ve bu hatalardan 枚臒renme haklar谋n谋n, d眉nyay谋 kendi ko艧ullar谋yla ke艧fetmelerinin s谋n谋rlanmas谋yla. Ben liberalizmi tutulmam谋艧 vaatlerle, dayan谋艧man谋n yok edili艧iyle, ayr谋cal谋klara sahip olma hakk谋yla, adaletsizli臒i g枚rmezden gelmekle bir tutuyordum. (...) Benim d眉nyam da, annemle babam谋n ka莽maya 莽al谋艧t谋klar谋 d眉nya kadar uzak 枚zg眉rl眉kten. 陌ki d眉nya da o idealden uzak."
Asl谋nda sosyalizme dair bir inceleme yazmak niyetiyle ba艧lam谋艧 Ypi bu kitaba ancak bunu salt teorik bir 莽er莽eveden, kendi tan谋kl谋臒谋n谋 katmadan yazamayaca臒谋n谋 anlam谋艧 ve kitap bir an谋 kitab谋na d枚n眉艧m眉艧, iyi ki de 枚yle olmu艧 莽眉nk眉 bence tan谋kl谋臒谋 m眉thi艧 k谋ymetli. Kitab谋n ad谋na dair bir not: her iki sistemin farkl谋 bi莽imlerde tan谋mlad谋臒谋 枚zg眉rl眉k kavram谋na ve asl谋nda her ikisinin de insanlara sundu臒u 艧eyin 枚zg眉rl眉k olmay谋艧谋na dair 莽ok derinlikli bir sorgulamaya da giri艧iyor Ypi. "Avrupa'n谋n k谋y谋s谋nda olma" h芒li a莽谋s谋ndan Arnavutluk'un deneyiminin bizim 眉lkemizinkiyle de pek 莽ok a莽谋dan benzerlik g枚sterdi臒ini d眉艧眉nd眉臒眉m i莽in okuman谋z谋 莽ok arzu ederim. Bonus: izleyenler, Annie Ernaux'nun o臒luyla yapt谋臒谋 "S眉per 8 Y谋llar谋" belgeselindeki Arnavutluk seyahatini de hat谋rlas谋nlar okurken.
艦u al谋nt谋yla bitireyim: "Benim ailem sosyalizmi s谋n谋rlanmayla e艧it say谋yordu: kim olmak istediklerinin, hata yapma ve bu hatalardan 枚臒renme haklar谋n谋n, d眉nyay谋 kendi ko艧ullar谋yla ke艧fetmelerinin s谋n谋rlanmas谋yla. Ben liberalizmi tutulmam谋艧 vaatlerle, dayan谋艧man谋n yok edili艧iyle, ayr谋cal谋klara sahip olma hakk谋yla, adaletsizli臒i g枚rmezden gelmekle bir tutuyordum. (...) Benim d眉nyam da, annemle babam谋n ka莽maya 莽al谋艧t谋klar谋 d眉nya kadar uzak 枚zg眉rl眉kten. 陌ki d眉nya da o idealden uzak."
July 24, 2024
Nach 171 Seite breche ich ab und ma脽e mir dennoch eine Bewertung an. Habe das Ende gelesen und um zu erfahren, ob sich der Erz盲hlton 盲ndert, in die Tagebucheintr盲ge aus 1997 hineingebl盲ttert.
Dieses Buch greift mal wieder den Konflikt Dokument vs. Literatur auf.
Ich beantworte das nur aus meiner subjektiven Warte, aus der ich eine eindeutige Erwartungshaltung an Texte habe, die f眉r mich als Literatur durchgehen. Diese wird in diesem Fall von "Frei" nicht erf眉llt.
Ypi erz盲hlt retrospektiv als Icherz盲hlerin. Dh. sie versetzt sich in ihr kindliches, jugendliches und sp盲ter junges Erwachsenen Ich hinein. Es sollte doch anzunehmen sein, dass sich aufgrund dieser Erz盲hlanlage die Komplexit盲t und Beweglichkeit der Sprache 盲ndert. Nein. Das Buch ist von vorne bis hinten in einem einfachen, kindlich, streckenweise naiv, d眉mmlichen Ton gehalten.
Das funktioniert durchaus in einigen Szenen, die hierdurch v枚llig absurd erscheinen und diesen Irrsinn des Systems und Verhaltens der Menschen heraussch盲len. Die ersten 60 Seiten lesen sich recht erbaulich.
Aber, weitestgehend ist diese Entscheidung die Schw盲che des Buches.
Kompositorisch ist das ein Totalausfall.
Sie setzt episodische, szenische Ausschnitte aneinander ohne diese sprachlich 眉bergreifend ineinander flie脽en zu lassen. Die Sprachbeschr盲nkung kann nur zeigen, auf etwas verweisen, im schlimmsten Fall einige Szenen als kom枚diantisch, banal, ungekonnt wirken lassen. Sie kann niemals, auch nur ansatzweise, einen komplexen philosophischen Gedanken bespielen. Daf眉r ist die Sprache viel zu eingeschr盲nkt, unbeweglich und geht auch 眉berhaupt nicht tief in die Reflexion hinein.
Der Gesamte Text zerf盲llt immer mehr in ein dokumentarisches Abarbeiten an historischen Ereignissen und Familienerlebnissen.
Die sp盲teren Tagebucheintr盲ge sind eine neue stilistische Variante. Werden aber weder kommentiert oder reflektiert und ihrer K眉rze so stehen gelassen. Nur reines Dokument.
Das Buch ist zudem v枚llig mit Informationen 眉berladen.
Als Sachtext mag dies zul盲ssig sein, wenn man sich auf knapp 300 Seiten im Schnelldurchgang, mit ein paar Dialogen und Sidekicks aus Erlebnissen, die historischen Ereignisse zwischen den 40ern und 90er Jahren in Albanien um die Ohren hauen lassen will.
Da ich aber niemand bin, der sich solche Art Sachtexte reinzieht bin ich in dem Fall raus und kann kaum etwas mit diesem Text anfangen.
Bevor man mir Interessenlosigkeit vorwirft: diesen Text habe ich bewusst gew盲hlt, da ich zuvor Christa Wolf und Kairos von Erpenbeck las und mich auf einen weiteren Text aus dem Sozialismus freute. Mir geht es darum, dass ich mit dieser Informationsflut nichts anfangen kann, die zu Lasten einer qualitativen Durchdringung des Themas geht und einem Bulimielernen gleich kommt.
Ich bin niemand der auf den Betroffenheitszug aufspringt. Insofern kann Frau Ypi noch so schreckliche Dinge biografisch zu berichten haben. Macht sie das nach meinem Verst盲ndnis auf unzureichend literarischem Niveau, wird das auch so bewertet.
Der zus盲tzliche Stern ist f眉r den dokumentarischen Wert. Als Literatur: 1 Stern.
Dieses Buch greift mal wieder den Konflikt Dokument vs. Literatur auf.
Ich beantworte das nur aus meiner subjektiven Warte, aus der ich eine eindeutige Erwartungshaltung an Texte habe, die f眉r mich als Literatur durchgehen. Diese wird in diesem Fall von "Frei" nicht erf眉llt.
Ypi erz盲hlt retrospektiv als Icherz盲hlerin. Dh. sie versetzt sich in ihr kindliches, jugendliches und sp盲ter junges Erwachsenen Ich hinein. Es sollte doch anzunehmen sein, dass sich aufgrund dieser Erz盲hlanlage die Komplexit盲t und Beweglichkeit der Sprache 盲ndert. Nein. Das Buch ist von vorne bis hinten in einem einfachen, kindlich, streckenweise naiv, d眉mmlichen Ton gehalten.
Das funktioniert durchaus in einigen Szenen, die hierdurch v枚llig absurd erscheinen und diesen Irrsinn des Systems und Verhaltens der Menschen heraussch盲len. Die ersten 60 Seiten lesen sich recht erbaulich.
Aber, weitestgehend ist diese Entscheidung die Schw盲che des Buches.
Kompositorisch ist das ein Totalausfall.
Sie setzt episodische, szenische Ausschnitte aneinander ohne diese sprachlich 眉bergreifend ineinander flie脽en zu lassen. Die Sprachbeschr盲nkung kann nur zeigen, auf etwas verweisen, im schlimmsten Fall einige Szenen als kom枚diantisch, banal, ungekonnt wirken lassen. Sie kann niemals, auch nur ansatzweise, einen komplexen philosophischen Gedanken bespielen. Daf眉r ist die Sprache viel zu eingeschr盲nkt, unbeweglich und geht auch 眉berhaupt nicht tief in die Reflexion hinein.
Der Gesamte Text zerf盲llt immer mehr in ein dokumentarisches Abarbeiten an historischen Ereignissen und Familienerlebnissen.
Die sp盲teren Tagebucheintr盲ge sind eine neue stilistische Variante. Werden aber weder kommentiert oder reflektiert und ihrer K眉rze so stehen gelassen. Nur reines Dokument.
Das Buch ist zudem v枚llig mit Informationen 眉berladen.
Als Sachtext mag dies zul盲ssig sein, wenn man sich auf knapp 300 Seiten im Schnelldurchgang, mit ein paar Dialogen und Sidekicks aus Erlebnissen, die historischen Ereignisse zwischen den 40ern und 90er Jahren in Albanien um die Ohren hauen lassen will.
Da ich aber niemand bin, der sich solche Art Sachtexte reinzieht bin ich in dem Fall raus und kann kaum etwas mit diesem Text anfangen.
Bevor man mir Interessenlosigkeit vorwirft: diesen Text habe ich bewusst gew盲hlt, da ich zuvor Christa Wolf und Kairos von Erpenbeck las und mich auf einen weiteren Text aus dem Sozialismus freute. Mir geht es darum, dass ich mit dieser Informationsflut nichts anfangen kann, die zu Lasten einer qualitativen Durchdringung des Themas geht und einem Bulimielernen gleich kommt.
Ich bin niemand der auf den Betroffenheitszug aufspringt. Insofern kann Frau Ypi noch so schreckliche Dinge biografisch zu berichten haben. Macht sie das nach meinem Verst盲ndnis auf unzureichend literarischem Niveau, wird das auch so bewertet.
Der zus盲tzliche Stern ist f眉r den dokumentarischen Wert. Als Literatur: 1 Stern.
February 1, 2025
O carte despre comunismul din Albania ce ofer膬 o perspectiv膬 unic膬, mai ales deoarece totul este v膬zut prin ochii unui copil care 卯ncearc膬 s膬 卯n葲eleag膬 realit膬葲ile regimului totalitar.
Romanul este povestea autobiografic膬 a copil膬riei autoarei Lea Ypi, crescut膬 卯n Albania comunist膬 a anilor 鈥�80. La vremea respectiv膬, Albania era condus膬 de regimul totalitar al lui Enver Hoxha, cunoscut pentru izolarea extrem膬 a 葲膬rii. Lea cre葯te 卯ntr-un mediu plin de contradic葲ii, unde ideea de 鈥瀕ibertate鈥� este omniprezent膬鈥� dar cu un sens total r膬sturnat.
Lea 卯ncepe povestea cu convingerea ferm膬, mo葯tenit膬 de la familia ei 葯i de la propaganda de stat, c膬 Albania este 鈥瀋ea mai liber膬 葲ar膬 din lume.鈥� Libertatea, pentru regim, 卯nsemna lipsa influen葲ei imperialismului capitalist 葯i faptul c膬 卯葯i p膬stra puritatea ideologic膬.
Copil膬ria autoarei este povestit膬 cu candoare 葯i ironie: cum credea c膬 鈥濻talin era unchiul tuturor copiilor鈥� 葯i cum statuia lui Enver Hoxha din ora葯ul ei p膬rea mai vie dec芒t oamenii.
Pr膬bu葯irea comunismului 卯n 1990 葯i tranzi葲ia spre capitalism o fac pe autoare s膬 descopere ca c膬 鈥瀕ibertatea鈥� nu e tocmai ce a visat, iar promisiunile de democra葲ie vin la pachet cu haos, corup葲ie 葯i o nesiguran葲膬 constant膬. Ea 卯葯i pune 卯ntreb膬ri esen葲iale despre ce 卯nseamn膬 s膬 fii cu adev膬rat liber, 卯ntreb膬ri care rezoneaz膬 ad芒nc cu cititorii din fostele state comuniste.
Romanul nu este doar o poveste despre Albania, ci despre toate 葲膬rile care au tr膬it trauma regimurilor totalitare 葯i confuzia libert膬葲ii post-comuniste. O carte ce o super-recomand!
Romanul este povestea autobiografic膬 a copil膬riei autoarei Lea Ypi, crescut膬 卯n Albania comunist膬 a anilor 鈥�80. La vremea respectiv膬, Albania era condus膬 de regimul totalitar al lui Enver Hoxha, cunoscut pentru izolarea extrem膬 a 葲膬rii. Lea cre葯te 卯ntr-un mediu plin de contradic葲ii, unde ideea de 鈥瀕ibertate鈥� este omniprezent膬鈥� dar cu un sens total r膬sturnat.
Lea 卯ncepe povestea cu convingerea ferm膬, mo葯tenit膬 de la familia ei 葯i de la propaganda de stat, c膬 Albania este 鈥瀋ea mai liber膬 葲ar膬 din lume.鈥� Libertatea, pentru regim, 卯nsemna lipsa influen葲ei imperialismului capitalist 葯i faptul c膬 卯葯i p膬stra puritatea ideologic膬.
Copil膬ria autoarei este povestit膬 cu candoare 葯i ironie: cum credea c膬 鈥濻talin era unchiul tuturor copiilor鈥� 葯i cum statuia lui Enver Hoxha din ora葯ul ei p膬rea mai vie dec芒t oamenii.
Pr膬bu葯irea comunismului 卯n 1990 葯i tranzi葲ia spre capitalism o fac pe autoare s膬 descopere ca c膬 鈥瀕ibertatea鈥� nu e tocmai ce a visat, iar promisiunile de democra葲ie vin la pachet cu haos, corup葲ie 葯i o nesiguran葲膬 constant膬. Ea 卯葯i pune 卯ntreb膬ri esen葲iale despre ce 卯nseamn膬 s膬 fii cu adev膬rat liber, 卯ntreb膬ri care rezoneaz膬 ad芒nc cu cititorii din fostele state comuniste.
Romanul nu este doar o poveste despre Albania, ci despre toate 葲膬rile care au tr膬it trauma regimurilor totalitare 葯i confuzia libert膬葲ii post-comuniste. O carte ce o super-recomand!
July 23, 2024
A readable and overall pleasing memoir written by Lea Ypi about [parts of] her childhood in Albania.
The Albania of the late 1980s and into the early 1990s was a one-party communist redoubt against capitalism, liberalism and in essence anything Western, but also a country that had broken links with the Soviet Union. This outwards isolation saw the Albanian state maintain a grip and narrative over its people that was akin to that of 1950-60s Russia, with echoes of the modern-day North Korea, and all that those two states created to maintain order, respect [for one's leader and party], and the necessary education and work plus access [or not] to technology, news, literature, and art etc., for the good and benefit of the people and the all powerful State.
Ypi's book is both enjoyable and useful in how we see the above aspects played out in respect of her life as a child and how her family live, love and importantly talk during this period. This latter is especially important as the reader sees when Ypi writes of her family's "biography" and how each individual has a biography and how that shapes their life in terms of education, occupation, residential location and accommodation type and more.
The book is split into tw0-parts: the first in the few years (late 1980s-1990) leading up to the fall of the Communist regime and the move to a post-communist nation learning to become a "free" nation; the second is a few years later (1996-98) as the corruption exacerbated by the collapse of a number of large pyramid schemes saw a rebellion/civil war break out.
As the book progress we learn much about those family members and indeed friends and others who come into contact with the Ypis. There are some secrets or aspects that are not discussed but are alluded to that a young Lea finds confusing or unclear; she asks questions but answers are not necessarily straightforward or forthcoming. There are other interesting parts such as friends, schooling, Uncle Enver (Hoxer, the all supreme Albanian leader), and indeed coke cans.
The second part of the book deals with the fall of the state owing to corruption and fall of the pyramid schemes, which does not leave the Ypi's untouched. This second part of the book starts well, but one feels slightly short-changed here. The author to this point has been detailed and allows the reader to immerse themselves in the YPI family life, but this second period is a lessser section as the overarching narrative soon gives way to the rebellion/civil war covered by a few pages of contemporary diary entries. Ypi waves this away as "how does one write about civil war?". Yet, this book is called "Free", and the civil war and its outcomes completes the projection that propels Ypi, and her family members, to new lives (some by choice; other not). This then sees the book fade towards the end when a stronger editor would have demanded better content and detail.
Overall, this was a enjoyable and worthwhile read. I did have some questions though, such as, for example: where did the French visitors to the Ypi family house go? one minute they were there and the centre of the narrative, the next poof gone and never mentioned again. The final couple of pages provide some detail on Ypi's choice of career with Philosophy and notably that she lectures on Marx/Marxism.
Also, and finally, I groaned when I bought the book as there were six pages - not including the back cover - of fawning quotes espousing the brilliance, greatness, wonder, etc. of this amazing and classic memoir. It was good but Penguin, please give the blurb a rest and save a few trees by printing far fewer hyperbolic statements.
My copy was a Penguin paperback published in 2022. It had sixteen B&W and colour prints.
The Albania of the late 1980s and into the early 1990s was a one-party communist redoubt against capitalism, liberalism and in essence anything Western, but also a country that had broken links with the Soviet Union. This outwards isolation saw the Albanian state maintain a grip and narrative over its people that was akin to that of 1950-60s Russia, with echoes of the modern-day North Korea, and all that those two states created to maintain order, respect [for one's leader and party], and the necessary education and work plus access [or not] to technology, news, literature, and art etc., for the good and benefit of the people and the all powerful State.
Ypi's book is both enjoyable and useful in how we see the above aspects played out in respect of her life as a child and how her family live, love and importantly talk during this period. This latter is especially important as the reader sees when Ypi writes of her family's "biography" and how each individual has a biography and how that shapes their life in terms of education, occupation, residential location and accommodation type and more.
The book is split into tw0-parts: the first in the few years (late 1980s-1990) leading up to the fall of the Communist regime and the move to a post-communist nation learning to become a "free" nation; the second is a few years later (1996-98) as the corruption exacerbated by the collapse of a number of large pyramid schemes saw a rebellion/civil war break out.
As the book progress we learn much about those family members and indeed friends and others who come into contact with the Ypis. There are some secrets or aspects that are not discussed but are alluded to that a young Lea finds confusing or unclear; she asks questions but answers are not necessarily straightforward or forthcoming. There are other interesting parts such as friends, schooling, Uncle Enver (Hoxer, the all supreme Albanian leader), and indeed coke cans.
The second part of the book deals with the fall of the state owing to corruption and fall of the pyramid schemes, which does not leave the Ypi's untouched. This second part of the book starts well, but one feels slightly short-changed here. The author to this point has been detailed and allows the reader to immerse themselves in the YPI family life, but this second period is a lessser section as the overarching narrative soon gives way to the rebellion/civil war covered by a few pages of contemporary diary entries. Ypi waves this away as "how does one write about civil war?". Yet, this book is called "Free", and the civil war and its outcomes completes the projection that propels Ypi, and her family members, to new lives (some by choice; other not). This then sees the book fade towards the end when a stronger editor would have demanded better content and detail.
Overall, this was a enjoyable and worthwhile read. I did have some questions though, such as, for example: where did the French visitors to the Ypi family house go? one minute they were there and the centre of the narrative, the next poof gone and never mentioned again. The final couple of pages provide some detail on Ypi's choice of career with Philosophy and notably that she lectures on Marx/Marxism.
Also, and finally, I groaned when I bought the book as there were six pages - not including the back cover - of fawning quotes espousing the brilliance, greatness, wonder, etc. of this amazing and classic memoir. It was good but Penguin, please give the blurb a rest and save a few trees by printing far fewer hyperbolic statements.
My copy was a Penguin paperback published in 2022. It had sixteen B&W and colour prints.
November 11, 2024
E o carte despre vie葲ile noastre, de fapt, sau 葯i despre ale noastre mai bine-zis.
E o carte teribil膬, scris膬 cu o voce calm膬, fals lini葯tit膬 葯i ne d膬m seama spre sf芒r葯it de lucrul 膬sta. Pe mine m-a dat peste cap, m-a f膬cut s膬 pl芒ng la final, apoi am tot recitit ultimele pagini, 卯ncerc芒nd s膬-mi amintesc ce sim葲eam eu 卯n decembrie 1989 葯i imediat dup膬 aceea, s膬 sap 卯n memoria-mi pentru c膬 nu am avut inspira葲ia s膬 葲in un jurnal al acelor zile (cum a f膬cut albaneza Lea Ypi), m-am 卯ntors 卯n tunelul timpului 葯i am mers pe-acolo cu emo葲ie 葯i cu aten葲ie. 脦n afara faptului c膬 m-am 卯nt芒lnit cu mine la 20 de ani, am priceput din nou c膬 e foarte greu de 卯n葲eles TOTUL. C膬 via葲a e una singur膬 葯i c膬 e ireversibil膬, da, dar ce am fi putut s膬 facem mai bine? Ce am putea ACUM s膬 facem ca s膬 tr膬im conform unor valori adev膬rate, f膬r膬 prea multe compromisuri 葯i cu idealul libert膬葲ii tangibil mereu, la orizont?
Lea m-a cucerit, mai ales c芒nd a spus c膬 cel mai mult conteaz膬 ac葲iunile noastre, realizate 卯n mod corect 葯i f膬r膬 s膬 ne lu膬m dup膬 circumstan葲e. Pentru c膬 nu ne putem alege contextul istoric, nu putem face dec芒t ceea ce 葲ine de noi. Dar ce greu e, nu-i a葯a? S膬 葯tim ce 葯i cum, s膬 fim solidari (mai ales), ca s膬 nu regret膬m c芒nd e prea t芒rziu. Timpul nu ne a葯teapt膬, trece ca fulgerul 葯i ocazia noastr膬 de a FI se scurge printre cr膬p膬turile istoriei.
E o carte teribil膬, scris膬 cu o voce calm膬, fals lini葯tit膬 葯i ne d膬m seama spre sf芒r葯it de lucrul 膬sta. Pe mine m-a dat peste cap, m-a f膬cut s膬 pl芒ng la final, apoi am tot recitit ultimele pagini, 卯ncerc芒nd s膬-mi amintesc ce sim葲eam eu 卯n decembrie 1989 葯i imediat dup膬 aceea, s膬 sap 卯n memoria-mi pentru c膬 nu am avut inspira葲ia s膬 葲in un jurnal al acelor zile (cum a f膬cut albaneza Lea Ypi), m-am 卯ntors 卯n tunelul timpului 葯i am mers pe-acolo cu emo葲ie 葯i cu aten葲ie. 脦n afara faptului c膬 m-am 卯nt芒lnit cu mine la 20 de ani, am priceput din nou c膬 e foarte greu de 卯n葲eles TOTUL. C膬 via葲a e una singur膬 葯i c膬 e ireversibil膬, da, dar ce am fi putut s膬 facem mai bine? Ce am putea ACUM s膬 facem ca s膬 tr膬im conform unor valori adev膬rate, f膬r膬 prea multe compromisuri 葯i cu idealul libert膬葲ii tangibil mereu, la orizont?
Lea m-a cucerit, mai ales c芒nd a spus c膬 cel mai mult conteaz膬 ac葲iunile noastre, realizate 卯n mod corect 葯i f膬r膬 s膬 ne lu膬m dup膬 circumstan葲e. Pentru c膬 nu ne putem alege contextul istoric, nu putem face dec芒t ceea ce 葲ine de noi. Dar ce greu e, nu-i a葯a? S膬 葯tim ce 葯i cum, s膬 fim solidari (mai ales), ca s膬 nu regret膬m c芒nd e prea t芒rziu. Timpul nu ne a葯teapt膬, trece ca fulgerul 葯i ocazia noastr膬 de a FI se scurge printre cr膬p膬turile istoriei.
September 2, 2022
Lea Ypi f枚dd 1979 v盲xer upp i proletariatets diktatur i Albanien. 1985 d枚r statschefen 鈥漟arbror Enver鈥� och 1990 faller regimen. I Fri ber盲ttar hon om sin uppv盲xt, f枚rst i ett helt isolerat land d盲r straffet f枚r olovlig utresa 盲r d枚dsstraff, sen i ett s氓 kallat 鈥漟ritt鈥� land med marknadsekonomi och inb枚rdeskrig (pyramidkrisen). Hon 盲r i skrivande stund professor i politisk teori och problematiserar ocks氓 frihetsbegreppet. Kort sagt: Fri 盲r en fantastisk l盲supplevelse och jag inst盲mmer i hyllningsk枚ren.
Det mest sl氓ende med den h盲r ber枚rande och varma autofiktiva uppv盲xtromanen som f枚rst氓s tilltalar den som intresserar sig f枚r sydeuropeisk historia, m盲nsklig existens, frihet och politik 盲r f枚rfattarens perfekta humor.
Som barn 盲r Lea v盲ldigt n枚jd med sitt land och sin tillvaro. Alla har samma saker, ingen 盲r utan och alla 盲r fria p氓 riktigt. Hon tycker synd om fattiga som lever i 鈥漹盲st鈥� f枚r i kapitalistiska l盲nder 盲r ju bara de rika fria. Information om levernet pr盲glat av liberalism f氓r hon via turister (som luktar m盲rkligt 鈥� solkr盲m, f枚rst氓r hon senare) och sv氓rinst盲llda tv-kanaler. Omslagets r枚da burk 鈥� en eftertraktad inredningsdetalj som ju verkligen inte alla hade 鈥� 盲r en sl氓ende metafor f枚r den h盲r tiden d氓 f氓 visste hur Coca cola smakade och semestrarna finansierades av partiet.
鈥漋氓r l盲rare Nora hade f枚rklarat att utanf枚r Albanien visste folk inte namnet p氓 den som tillverkade saker, namnen p氓 arbetarna. Hon ber盲ttade att i v盲st k盲nde man bara till namnen p氓 fabrikerna d盲r sakerna tillverkades, m盲nniskorna som 盲gde dem och deras barn och barnbarn.鈥�
Sen faller regeringen och inifr氓nskildringen av att leva under kommunistiskt enpartistyre v盲xlar 枚ver till en ber盲ttelse om kaos och f枚rvirring som omst盲llningsperioden medf枚r. En helt ny begreppsapparat introduceras i takt med att planekonomin raseras. Nu f氓r hon veta vad girighet och avundsjuka 盲r f枚r n氓got. Tidigare fanns det n盲stan inga varor att k枚pa 盲ven om man hade pengar, nu finns det varor men inga pengar att k枚pa f枚r. Hennes familj och sl盲kt har burit p氓 hemligheter som nu uppdagas. S氓 sm氓ningom kommer hon i kontakt med konstigheter som vi h盲r tar f枚r givna: b盲st-f枚re-datum, bananer, religion, cv, kundvagnar (varf枚r handla mer 盲n man kan b盲ra?), att ha flera personer att v盲lja mellan n盲r man ska r枚sta. Friheten som kom var dock som en kallnad matr盲tt man tog n氓gra tuggor av, hungern bestod. De som f枚rs枚ker l盲mna landet blir n盲mligen tillbakaskickade.
鈥漋盲st hade 盲gnat decennier 氓t att kritisera 枚st f枚r dess st盲ngda gr盲nser, bekostat insatser f枚r att kr盲va r枚relsefrihet, f枚rd枚mt det omoraliska hos stater som inte erk盲nde r盲tten att ge sig av. Exilalbaner hade tagit emot som hj盲ltar. Nu behandlades de som brottslingar. [鈥 vilket v盲rde har r盲tten att ge sig av n盲r det inte finns n氓gon r盲tt att bli mottagen? Var gr盲nser och murar f枚rkastliga enbart n盲r deras syfte var att h氓lla m盲nniskor inne till skillnad fr氓n n盲r de h枚ll m盲nniskor ute?鈥�
Fr氓gan om vad det inneb盲r att vara fri 盲r filosofisk och l氓ter sig inte l盲tt besvaras. Hur f枚rh氓ller sig frihet till m盲nniskans funktioner och behov, vilja, samh盲lle och lagar? Jag tycker mycket om Ypis nyanserade funderingar som uppmuntrar l盲saren att fundera p氓 vad hon sj盲lv tycker. F枚rfattaren s盲tter fingret p氓 direkta och indirekta tv氓ng och hur 枚verg氓ngen fr氓n socialism till liberalism medf枚r f枚r盲ndrade tankes盲tt och normsystem. Det f枚rsta h枚r samman med solidariska ideal exempelvis har en handikappad person inte sig sj盲lv att skylla och en socialist ser som moralisk plikt att kollektivt hj盲lpa personer i n枚d. Det liberalistiska syns盲ttet vars ledord 盲r frihet bereder plats f枚r egoism: det 盲r inte mitt fel att hen 盲r i n枚d, t盲nker man.
鈥滿in familj likst盲llde socialismen med f枚rnekelse: en f枚rnekelse av det de egentligen ville vara, av r盲tten att g枚ra misstag och l盲ra av dem, att utforska v盲rlden p氓 sina egna villkor. Jag j盲mst盲llde liberalismen med brutna l枚ften, en raserad solidaritet, med r盲tten att 盲rva privilegier och blunda f枚r or盲ttvisor.鈥�
Mina tankar g氓r till Schopenhauer som p氓talade m盲nniskans bristande f枚rm氓ga att n枚ja sig, hennes st盲ndiga jakt: n盲r vi inte har det vi vill ha blir vi frustrerade och n盲r vi har f氓tt det vi vill ha blir vi snabbt uttr氓kade. Mycket vill ha mer och hur f氓r vi stopp p氓 det? Jag t盲nker ocks氓 p氓 Kant som med sin pliktetik lyfter fram att det alltid finns en frihet i ofriheten.
鈥漋i f枚rlorade aldrig v氓r inre frihet: friheten att g枚ra det som 盲r r盲tt.鈥�
Vi som lever i h枚gerlandet Sverige i senkapitalismens era d盲r konkurrens, h氓rdporr, jaget och aktiemarknaden 盲r prioriterade omr氓den, d盲r allt 盲r till salu f枚r r盲tt pris och distinktionen mellan m盲nniskor och varum盲rken uppl枚ses. Or盲ttvisor, avundsjuka, roffarmentalitet och brottslighet frodas. Av v氓ra tidigare gemensamheter finns n盲stan inget kvar. Den h盲r boken 盲r lite som pl氓ster p氓 s氓ren. L盲s den, annars 氓ker kanske 鈥漦枚kskniven fram och kittlar lite grann鈥�.
PS Grymt bra 枚versatt av Amanda Svensson. DS
Det mest sl氓ende med den h盲r ber枚rande och varma autofiktiva uppv盲xtromanen som f枚rst氓s tilltalar den som intresserar sig f枚r sydeuropeisk historia, m盲nsklig existens, frihet och politik 盲r f枚rfattarens perfekta humor.
Som barn 盲r Lea v盲ldigt n枚jd med sitt land och sin tillvaro. Alla har samma saker, ingen 盲r utan och alla 盲r fria p氓 riktigt. Hon tycker synd om fattiga som lever i 鈥漹盲st鈥� f枚r i kapitalistiska l盲nder 盲r ju bara de rika fria. Information om levernet pr盲glat av liberalism f氓r hon via turister (som luktar m盲rkligt 鈥� solkr盲m, f枚rst氓r hon senare) och sv氓rinst盲llda tv-kanaler. Omslagets r枚da burk 鈥� en eftertraktad inredningsdetalj som ju verkligen inte alla hade 鈥� 盲r en sl氓ende metafor f枚r den h盲r tiden d氓 f氓 visste hur Coca cola smakade och semestrarna finansierades av partiet.
鈥漋氓r l盲rare Nora hade f枚rklarat att utanf枚r Albanien visste folk inte namnet p氓 den som tillverkade saker, namnen p氓 arbetarna. Hon ber盲ttade att i v盲st k盲nde man bara till namnen p氓 fabrikerna d盲r sakerna tillverkades, m盲nniskorna som 盲gde dem och deras barn och barnbarn.鈥�
Sen faller regeringen och inifr氓nskildringen av att leva under kommunistiskt enpartistyre v盲xlar 枚ver till en ber盲ttelse om kaos och f枚rvirring som omst盲llningsperioden medf枚r. En helt ny begreppsapparat introduceras i takt med att planekonomin raseras. Nu f氓r hon veta vad girighet och avundsjuka 盲r f枚r n氓got. Tidigare fanns det n盲stan inga varor att k枚pa 盲ven om man hade pengar, nu finns det varor men inga pengar att k枚pa f枚r. Hennes familj och sl盲kt har burit p氓 hemligheter som nu uppdagas. S氓 sm氓ningom kommer hon i kontakt med konstigheter som vi h盲r tar f枚r givna: b盲st-f枚re-datum, bananer, religion, cv, kundvagnar (varf枚r handla mer 盲n man kan b盲ra?), att ha flera personer att v盲lja mellan n盲r man ska r枚sta. Friheten som kom var dock som en kallnad matr盲tt man tog n氓gra tuggor av, hungern bestod. De som f枚rs枚ker l盲mna landet blir n盲mligen tillbakaskickade.
鈥漋盲st hade 盲gnat decennier 氓t att kritisera 枚st f枚r dess st盲ngda gr盲nser, bekostat insatser f枚r att kr盲va r枚relsefrihet, f枚rd枚mt det omoraliska hos stater som inte erk盲nde r盲tten att ge sig av. Exilalbaner hade tagit emot som hj盲ltar. Nu behandlades de som brottslingar. [鈥 vilket v盲rde har r盲tten att ge sig av n盲r det inte finns n氓gon r盲tt att bli mottagen? Var gr盲nser och murar f枚rkastliga enbart n盲r deras syfte var att h氓lla m盲nniskor inne till skillnad fr氓n n盲r de h枚ll m盲nniskor ute?鈥�
Fr氓gan om vad det inneb盲r att vara fri 盲r filosofisk och l氓ter sig inte l盲tt besvaras. Hur f枚rh氓ller sig frihet till m盲nniskans funktioner och behov, vilja, samh盲lle och lagar? Jag tycker mycket om Ypis nyanserade funderingar som uppmuntrar l盲saren att fundera p氓 vad hon sj盲lv tycker. F枚rfattaren s盲tter fingret p氓 direkta och indirekta tv氓ng och hur 枚verg氓ngen fr氓n socialism till liberalism medf枚r f枚r盲ndrade tankes盲tt och normsystem. Det f枚rsta h枚r samman med solidariska ideal exempelvis har en handikappad person inte sig sj盲lv att skylla och en socialist ser som moralisk plikt att kollektivt hj盲lpa personer i n枚d. Det liberalistiska syns盲ttet vars ledord 盲r frihet bereder plats f枚r egoism: det 盲r inte mitt fel att hen 盲r i n枚d, t盲nker man.
鈥滿in familj likst盲llde socialismen med f枚rnekelse: en f枚rnekelse av det de egentligen ville vara, av r盲tten att g枚ra misstag och l盲ra av dem, att utforska v盲rlden p氓 sina egna villkor. Jag j盲mst盲llde liberalismen med brutna l枚ften, en raserad solidaritet, med r盲tten att 盲rva privilegier och blunda f枚r or盲ttvisor.鈥�
Mina tankar g氓r till Schopenhauer som p氓talade m盲nniskans bristande f枚rm氓ga att n枚ja sig, hennes st盲ndiga jakt: n盲r vi inte har det vi vill ha blir vi frustrerade och n盲r vi har f氓tt det vi vill ha blir vi snabbt uttr氓kade. Mycket vill ha mer och hur f氓r vi stopp p氓 det? Jag t盲nker ocks氓 p氓 Kant som med sin pliktetik lyfter fram att det alltid finns en frihet i ofriheten.
鈥漋i f枚rlorade aldrig v氓r inre frihet: friheten att g枚ra det som 盲r r盲tt.鈥�
Vi som lever i h枚gerlandet Sverige i senkapitalismens era d盲r konkurrens, h氓rdporr, jaget och aktiemarknaden 盲r prioriterade omr氓den, d盲r allt 盲r till salu f枚r r盲tt pris och distinktionen mellan m盲nniskor och varum盲rken uppl枚ses. Or盲ttvisor, avundsjuka, roffarmentalitet och brottslighet frodas. Av v氓ra tidigare gemensamheter finns n盲stan inget kvar. Den h盲r boken 盲r lite som pl氓ster p氓 s氓ren. L盲s den, annars 氓ker kanske 鈥漦枚kskniven fram och kittlar lite grann鈥�.
PS Grymt bra 枚versatt av Amanda Svensson. DS
October 31, 2022
is a fascinating and compelling memoir of growing up in 1980s and 90s Albania before, during, and after the fall of the communist regime. Ypi (which autocorrect insists should be 'you') narrates as her younger self, to very striking effect. As she grows older she starts to understand life around her better, just as it begins to change dramatically. Her perspective and that of her family give a witty insight into daily life under a Stalinist dictatorship, as well as the chaos that followed it. I found Ypi to be an uncommonly thoughtful and observant writer:
I particularly appreciated her comments on the new vocabulary that replaced communist terminology:
Another particularly astute and powerful section describes her father's job after the fall of communism, running a port where he's expected to fire many of the workers in the name of efficiency:
The narrative is at its most powerful and stripped back in chapter 21, in which Ypi recounts the 1997 civil war via extracts from her teenage diary. The whole book is insightful, by turns amusing and moving. I knew nothing much about Albania before reading it, despite being in high school by the time its civil war broke out. Ypi interrogates the concept of freedom via the experiences of transformational political change that she and her family went through. She refuses to draw any simple conclusions and instead invites the reader to consider difficult questions of political ideology and practise. I found extremely readable, thought-provoking, and distinctive. I highly recommend it.
When my father spoke of the revolution in general, he got as excited as my grandmother did when she spoke about the French Revolution in particular. In my family, everyone had a favourite revolution, just as everyone had a favourite summer fruit. My mother's favourite fruit was watermelon and her favourite revolution was the English one. Mine were figs and Russian. My father emphasised that he was sympathetic to all revolutions but his favourite was the one that had yet to take place. As to his favourite fruit, it was quince - but it could choke you when it wasn't fully ripe, so he was often reluctant to indulge.
I particularly appreciated her comments on the new vocabulary that replaced communist terminology:
'Civil society' was the new term recently added to the political vocabulary, more or less as a substitute for 'Party'. It was known that civil society had brought the Velvet Revolution to Eastern Europe. It had accelerated the decline of socialism. In our case, the term became popular when the revolution was already complete, perhaps to give meaning to a sequence of events that at first seemed unlikely, then required a label to become meaningful. It joined the other new keywords, such as 'liberalisation', which replaced 'democratic centralism'; 'privatisation', which replaced 'collectivisation'; 'transparency', which replaced 'self-criticism'; 'transition', which stayed the same but now indicated the transition from socialism to liberalism instead of the transition from socialism to communism; and 'fighting corruption', which replaced 'anti-imperialist struggle'.
Another particularly astute and powerful section describes her father's job after the fall of communism, running a port where he's expected to fire many of the workers in the name of efficiency:
My father assumed, like many in his generation, that freedom was lost when other people tell us how to think, what to do, where to go. He soon realised that coercion need not always take such a direct form. Socialism had denied him the possibility to be who he wanted, to make mistakes and learn from them, and to explore the world on his own terms. Capitalism was denying it to others, the people who depended on his decision, who worked in the port. Class struggle was not over. He could understand as much. He did not want the world to remain a place where solidarity is destroyed, where only the fittest survive, and where the price of achievement for some is the destruction of hope in others.
The narrative is at its most powerful and stripped back in chapter 21, in which Ypi recounts the 1997 civil war via extracts from her teenage diary. The whole book is insightful, by turns amusing and moving. I knew nothing much about Albania before reading it, despite being in high school by the time its civil war broke out. Ypi interrogates the concept of freedom via the experiences of transformational political change that she and her family went through. She refuses to draw any simple conclusions and instead invites the reader to consider difficult questions of political ideology and practise. I found extremely readable, thought-provoking, and distinctive. I highly recommend it.
September 16, 2021
"It wouldn't be exploitation without consent. It would be violence"
The story follows a young Lea, learning about daily Albanian life, when the Berlin wall falls, regime change comes and life changes quickly. 1990 was a year like no other for Albania and the migration, rise of pyramid schemes, civil unrest and structural reforms are presented from a very personal perspective.
I anticipated an Albanian memoir from which I could learn more about an area of the world and a history that I know little of, yet what I found what something, much, much more. Lea is an incredible writer who engages the reader and takes you on a journey with her. I found myself equally infuriated, as she recalled stories of her family talking in code and her frustrations in not understanding the meaning until later on - an experience recreated in the novel as the reader must reach halfway through the book to also 'crack the code'. But it was worth it, as I was covered in goosebumps and eagerly devoured every breakthrough and realisation. Perhaps what makes the book so good is the totally unexpected twists that surely aren't real - but are.
I've never been excessively enthusiastic about philosophy or ideologies, yet the passion and manner Lea discussed them with has left me with a desire to learn more. The way in which she engaged with the ideologies, analysed them and directly applied them whilst seeking more answers was exhilarating and highlighted the importance of true self awareness of our surroundings - not just believing we are 'free' because we are told so.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC, absolutely 5/5.
The story follows a young Lea, learning about daily Albanian life, when the Berlin wall falls, regime change comes and life changes quickly. 1990 was a year like no other for Albania and the migration, rise of pyramid schemes, civil unrest and structural reforms are presented from a very personal perspective.
I anticipated an Albanian memoir from which I could learn more about an area of the world and a history that I know little of, yet what I found what something, much, much more. Lea is an incredible writer who engages the reader and takes you on a journey with her. I found myself equally infuriated, as she recalled stories of her family talking in code and her frustrations in not understanding the meaning until later on - an experience recreated in the novel as the reader must reach halfway through the book to also 'crack the code'. But it was worth it, as I was covered in goosebumps and eagerly devoured every breakthrough and realisation. Perhaps what makes the book so good is the totally unexpected twists that surely aren't real - but are.
I've never been excessively enthusiastic about philosophy or ideologies, yet the passion and manner Lea discussed them with has left me with a desire to learn more. The way in which she engaged with the ideologies, analysed them and directly applied them whilst seeking more answers was exhilarating and highlighted the importance of true self awareness of our surroundings - not just believing we are 'free' because we are told so.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC, absolutely 5/5.
February 11, 2023
I cyk, kolejna ulubiona ksi膮偶ka tego roku. Co to s膮 za 艣wietne wspomnienia! Ogromnie podoba mi si臋 to, jak autorka odnosi w艂asne do艣wiadczenia z dzieci艅stwa w socjalistycznej Albanii do szerszej idei, jak膮 jest wolno艣膰. I to wolno艣膰 jednostek w ustroju, wolno艣膰 grup w obliczu nowego porz膮dku politycznego. A tak偶e wolno艣膰 j臋zyka. Niezmiernie podoba艂o mi si臋 to, jak Ypi pisze o zmieniaj膮cym si臋 s艂ownictwie, o dorastaniu spo艂eczno艣ci do poj臋膰, kt贸re przysz艂y z zewn膮trz, o tym, jak obywatele nie nad膮偶aj膮 za zmieniaj膮cym si臋 j臋zykiem, kt贸ry opisuje ich 艣wiat. Super to jest ksi膮偶ka, m贸wi臋 wam!
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