My Cat Yugoslavia

3.74 goodreads logo

Ratings/reviews counts are updated frequently.

Check link for latest rating.
( 10,896 ratings, 1,023 reviews)
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
My Cat Yugoslavia by Pajtim Statovci intertwines two narrativesβ€”one following a young man named Bekim navigating life as an immigrant in Finland, and the other recounting the story of his mother in war-torn Kosovo. Their tales explore themes of displacement, identity, and the surreal, with Bekim forming an unusual friendship with a talking cat, which challenges his understanding of freedom and belonging.
Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
TEMPORARILY OUT OF STOCK Please add to wishlist to be notified when back in stock

Sorry, we're currently out of stock of My Cat Yugoslavia. Please add to your Wishlist and we'll send you an email as soon as it's back in stock.

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 intrigued by stories that weave together elements of magical realism and the immigrant experience. It explores themes of identity, belonging, and familial relationships through an imaginative narrative that combines human emotions with unique metaphors. This book may appeal to readers who appreciate complex characters and thought-provoking, fantastical storytelling that challenges conventional narratives.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

My Cat Yugoslavia

An internationally acclaimed debut novel about war, family, love and belonging - and a talking cat.

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

Yugoslavia, 1980s: a 16-year-old Muslim girl named Emine is married off to a man she hardly knows. But what was meant to be a happy match soon goes terribly wrong. Her country is torn apart by war, and she flees with her family.

Decades later, Emine's son, Bekim, has grown up a social outcast in Finland; both an immigrant in a country suspicious of foreigners, and a gay man in an unaccepting society. Aside from casual hookups, his only friend is a boa constrictor whom he lets roam his apartmentβ€”even though he is terrified of snakes.

But one night in a gay bar, Bekim meets a talking cat who moves in with him and his snake. This witty, charming, manipulative creature starts Bekim on a journey back to Kosovo to confront his demons and make sense of the remarkable, cruel history of his family. It is a journey that will eventually lead him to love.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781782273608

Publisher: Pushkin Press

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 19 April 2018

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Pushkin Press

Contributors:

  • Translated by David Hackston
  • Translated by David Hackston

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 0g

Pages: 272

About the Author

Pajtim Statovci (b. 1990) moved from Kosovo to Finland with his family when he was two years old. My Cat Yugoslavia, his debut novel, was first published in Finland in 2014 to widespread critical acclaim and won the Helsingin Sanomat Prize for 'Best Debut'.

Also by Pajtim Statovci

View all

More from General Fiction

View all

Why buy from us?

Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!

Service & Delivery

Service & Delivery

Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 80,000 books and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.

Auckland Bookstore

Auckland Bookstore

We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.

Our Gifting Service

Our Gifting Service

Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.