Farewell to Kosovo

By Omer Ertur

Farewell to Kosovo is a story of survival through love, courage and loyalty. It is a historical novel based on the author's recollection of stories about his grandparents. As reflected in the novel, the Muslim populations of southern Europe and the Balkans suffered continuous and relentless attacks before the Great War. Hundreds of thousands of Turkish, Albanian, and Eastern European Muslims were forced to take refuge in the remaining European parts of the declining Ottoman Empire. After the empire's dissolution at the end of the Great War, most of European Muslims migrated to the newly formed Turkish Republic. This family-based historical novel illustrates the human consequences of ethnic cleansing that happened in Kosovo and the Balkans at the beginning of the twentieth century. War tears families apart in this gripping historical fiction set during the Balkan conflicts. When Lieutenant Avni is called to the front lines, he must choose between duty and being there for his pregnant wife, Servet, as she prepares to give birth. Transporting readers to early 1900s Kosovo, Farewell to Kosovo explores the ethnic tensions and bloody conflict ravaging the crumbling Ottoman Empire. Through vivid characters like Avni, Servet, and Mehmetali, author Omer Ertur delves into the relationships fractured by war. As Muslims flee persecution in Kosovo, loyalties are tested. Lieutenant Avni grapples with delivering guns to the front while longing to be with his wife. Servet faces the uncertainty of childbirth alone. From the diverse streets of Skopje to the mountains south of Mitrovica, Farewell to Kosovo immerses readers in the Balkans during this tumultuous era. Love, loss, and the human costs of war come to the fore in this gripping tale. For readers fascinated by little-known histories, Farewell to Kosovo provides a window into the suffering and ethnic cleansing that devastated Kosovo in the early 1900s. Ertur's powerful storytelling makes the characters and their dilemmas resonate across the decades. The book provides readers with a glimpse into the historical context of the conflicts in the Balkans in the early 1900s. It explores the political circumstances of the time as the Ottoman Empire retreats from northern Kosovo to Kumanova near Skopje, shedding light on a lesser-known period of history. The novel also delves into the sufferings of the uprooted Muslims of Kosovo and the ethnic cleansing that occurred in the region. It explores the relationships between different ethnic groups, particularly the Albanians and the Serbians, providing a nuanced understanding of the conflicts and tensions during that time. The protagonist, Lieutenant Avni, is faced with the challenges of war and the impending birth of his child. The book explores his emotional journey as he navigates his duty, love for his wife, and the uncertainty of the future. This emotional depth adds complexity and intrigue to the narrative. The book is set primarily in Yanyevo, a town in Kosovo, but also touches on other locations such as Skopje and Mitrovica. The author provides vivid descriptions of the setting, immersing readers in the historical context. Additionally, the characters in the book are well-developed, with their relationships, motivations, and actions explored in depth. Love and loyalty are recurring motifs in the book. The author explores the relationships between characters and the consequences of war on these bonds. This exploration of love and loyalty adds depth and emotional resonance to the story.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1470091534
• ISBN13: 9781470091538
• Release Date: September 2012
• Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
• Length: 268 Pages
• Weight: 0.59 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.0" x 8.0"