Review Summaries

• Readers often find the novel warm and gently observant, even when its pace is deliberate. Its rural atmosphere and the pull between duty and art tend to stand out most strongly.

Reviews

• Exceptionally entertaining story of a talented Bulgarian boy from early youth to young manhood. Original and captivating.

  Dobry is the story of a young boy growing up as a peasant in the Balkan Mountains of Bulgaria. He lives with his Grandfather and mother in a farming village. His best friend is a beautiful little girl named Neda. This story is rich in the traditions of the Bulgarian peasants and the simple village lifestyle. It gives us scenes of cooking in the coals of the jamal or fireplace. We learn about such traditions involving food and customs for harvest, Christmas, New Year's, spring, planting, engagements, and marriages. There are delightful songs and stories passed down from Byzantine ancestors. We get to see Dobry and Neda grow up. We discover how animals are essential for food, transportation, clothing, and moving loads of wood or vegetables from the farms to homes. Dobry is very artistic and he catches the spirit of his people in drawings, clay, and carvings. We delight at the dances, celebrations, and visits of the gypsies with their massaging bear. This is a great story of love, family, community, and traditions. I learned so much about the Bulgarian villages of the early 1900's. This is an excellent and exciting book as we watch Dobry grow to young manhood and prepare to start off to the city to study art and become a great artist for his people.

• A treasured book

  Impeccable condition

• Enjoyed this book

  This book left me with very positive feelings. I find it amazing how the author captured in English the nature of Bulgarian speech.

• Great

  Awesome books

• Dobry

  the book arrived in a timely matter. There were no marks or tears, but the pages were more aged than I would have hoped. All in all, I am satisfied with the purchase.

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