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Maka, a young Bosnian soldier, has survived three years under siege. When the enemy forces launch their final attack on his hometown, he must escape to the hills. But traversing the vast woods is a task against all odds: to stay alive, and to find his infant son and his wife, he is soon forced to make a desperate move.
Set against the harrowing background of raging guerrilla warfare and the genocide in Srebrenica, Father of One is, at heart, a story of deep humanity, compassion and love. It is the account of one man’s desire to reunite his family, separated by war, and of bonds unbroken by trauma, sustained by loyalty and tenacity. Writing in a voice that rings with clarity and authenticity, Jani Anttola lays open a dark moment in Europe’s recent history.
Recommended for adult readers interested in historical fiction, war narratives, and human resilience.
Father of One is a deeply affecting novel that explores the physical and emotional toll of war through the lens of one man’s journey to reunite with his family. Based on real events and written by an author who served in Bosnia during the conflict, the book offers both authenticity and emotional resonance.
The protagonist, Maca, is a compelling figure whose perseverance and humanity remain intact despite the harrowing circumstances he faces. His experiences are rendered in vivid detail, offering readers a sobering glimpse into the realities of war. Yet, the narrative is not solely focused on violence and survival—it also delves into themes of love, hope, and personal sacrifice.
One of the novel’s strengths lies in its structure. The story occasionally shifts away from the warfront to focus on Maca’s wife, Amelia, and their family. These moments of reprieve provide emotional balance and allow readers to witness the far-reaching impact of war on those waiting at home.
This is not a light or easy read, and some scenes may be difficult due to the graphic nature of the subject matter. However, for readers seeking a poignant and unflinching look at the human cost of conflict, Father of One is a powerful and worthwhile selection. It serves as a reminder of the importance of empathy, resilience, and understanding the human stories behind global events.
Recommended with sensitivity.
5 stars
They walked up to the plaza where narrow streets led from the ancient town gate towards the centre of the promontory and the Saint George’s church and its cemetery gardens that overlooked the old fishing town. Most of the shops lining the plaza were shuttered. Turning up towards the rectory, they came to the café bar. A young, lean man in a dress shirt and round eyeglasses was sitting by the window with an espresso and listening to the radio that the waiter had placed on the counter. A newscast was on and a woman newsreader was talking in rapid, tense sentences about something.
“Good morning,” said the waiter. “Lovers up so early?” He was an acquaintance of the hotel owner, a smooth-mannered boy who came from the lavender country in Istria. The old man had recommended the place for their shop-roasted coffee.
“Good morning,” Maka said. Amelia dismissed the innuendo with a little laugh. “How are you?”
“I’m good as always.”
Maka, leaning to the counter and taking off his sun hat, looked at the radio. “What’s the news?”
“Their Teritorijalna Odbrana got the orders to start a counteroffensive.”
“No,” Amelia said, looking at the grave-faced waiter.
“When was that?” Maka asked.
“Last night. There’s armoured columns advancing towards Ljubljana. Six JNA brigades.”
“It’s happening too fast. They declared independence only three days ago.”
“Well, it’s happening, all right,” the waiter said. “Yesterday they shot down two helicopters. Now there’s fighting on the Italian border. The Slovenians have bogged the tanks down and are busting them.”
“But it’s insane,” Amelia said. “Everybody’s lost their mind.”
“The generals seem to think it makes perfect sense,” said the bespectacled man by the window. He lit a cigarette and blew smoke towards the ceiling, his head leaning back, then stared out to the street, where a group of loud young men was passing, waving Croatian flags.
Jani Anttola is a Finnish novelist and a medical doctor. In the 1990s he served in Rwanda with the French military and fought in Bosnia as a soldier of the Bosnian army. His works have been published in the UK and Finland. He has spent most of his adult life abroad, working in Africa, the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific.
Author website: https://www.jani-anttola.com/
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Father-One-Jani-Anttola/dp/1915603986
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Father-of-One/dp/1915603986
Book Guild UK: https://bookguild.co.uk/bookshop/historical/father-of-one/
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ReplyDeleteSounds like a interesting book.
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