My Cat Yugoslavia
My Cat Yugoslavia by Pajtim Statovci, published by Pushkin Press in September 2017, is a novel that explores the complexities of identity and belonging. Set against the backdrop of 1980s Yugoslavia and present-day Finland, the story follows a young Muslim girl who is married off to a stranger, leading to a series of events that unravel her life and her family’s history. As her country descends into war, her son Bekim grows up feeling like an outsider, grappling with his identity as a gay man in a society that is often unwelcoming.
Readers will find a narrative that intertwines themes of immigration, LGBTQ+ experiences, and the search for love and acceptance. Bekim’s journey is marked by his unusual companionship with a boa constrictor and a talking cat, both of whom play pivotal roles in his quest to confront his past and understand his family’s legacy. This edition spans 272 pages and is presented in English, offering a unique blend of humor and poignancy as it delves into the challenges of navigating personal and cultural histories.
Official synopsis Publisher
In 1980s Yugoslavia, a young Muslim girl is married off to a man she hardly knows, but what was meant to be a happy match soon goes shockingly wrong. Soon thereafter her country is torn apart by war and she and her family flee. Years later, her son, Bekim, grows up a social outcast in present-day Finland, not just an immigrant in a country suspicious of foreigners, but a gay man in an unaccepting society. Aside from casual hookups, his only friend is a boa constrictor whom, improbably – he is terrified of snakes – he lets roam his apartment. Then, during a visit to a gay bar, Bekim meets a talking cat who moves in with him and his snake. It is this witty, charming, manipulative creature who starts Bekim on a journey back to Kosovo to confront his demons and make sense of the magical, cruel, incredible history of his family. And it is this that, in turn, enables him finally, to open himself to true love – which he will find in the most unexpected place.
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