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The Doll

By Ismail Kadare
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Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Doll by Ismail Kadare is a General Fiction novel that delves into the intricate relationship between the author and his enigmatic mother, revealing family dynamics in Albania. The narrative explores themes of memory, identity, and the powerful influence of maternal figures, set against the backdrop of cultural and historical change. The book offers a compelling reflection on how personal and national histories intertwine.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you are drawn to fascinating family dynamics and cultural nostalgia. This story offers an intimate look into the author's relationship with his enigmatic mother, set against the backdrop of Albanian history. Readers who appreciate introspective narratives filled with subtle emotional depth and poetic prose will likely find this to be a compelling read.

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The Doll

'A fascinating study of a difficult love' John Burnside, Guardian

Young Ismail's world centres around his mother.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

From 'a novelist of dazzling mastery' (Independent) and the winner of the first ever Man Booker International Prize, The Doll is a novel about creative origin and aspiration, inspired by the author's own mother and his childhood in Albania.

Young Ismail's world centres around his mother. Naive and fragile as a paper doll, she is an unlikely presence in her husband's imposing house, with its hidden rooms and infamous dungeon. Yet despite her youthful nature, she is not without her own enigmas. Most of all, she fears that her intellectual, radical son will exchange her for a superior mother when he becomes a famous writer.

From the winner of the first ever Man Booker International Prize, this is a disarming story of home and creative ambition, of personal and political freedom. Rooted in the author's own childhood in Albania, it is dedicated to the memory of his mother.

'A master storyteller' John Carey

'Laconic, sinister and drily funny' Spectator

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Ismail Kadare's The Doll has been praised as an essential and mesmerising work, revealing both darkness and light. It explores the complex and often difficult love between the narrator and his mother, expressing poignant observations and fears. Kadare is regarded as one of Europe's most significant living writers, with his compelling work offering insights into Albania's political legacy and enriched by a skilful translation. The novel's laconic and darkly humorous style captures the essence of Kadare's unique wit and storytelling.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781784709327

Publisher: Vintage Publishing

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 21 January 2021

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Vintage

Contributors:

  • Translated by John Hodgson

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 11.0mm

Width: 128.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 131g

Pages: 176

Collections

Fiction General Fiction Ismail Kadare Literary Fiction Penguin Books

About the Author

Ismail Kadare (1936-2024) is Albania's best-known novelist and poet. Translations of his novels have appeared in more than forty countries. He was awarded the inaugural Man Booker International Prize in 2005, the Jerusalem Prize in 2015, the Park Kyong-ni Prize in 2019 and the Neustadt Prize in 2020.

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