This book is definitely worth the effort of getting through the heavy literary style that Igor Stiks uses to tell the story of a famous writer and journalist, Richard Richter, who travels to worn-torn Sarajevo to find the father he'd never known. His tragic quest—brought about by the shocking discovery of his mother's notebook—leads him to a passionate love affair, a shocking revelation, and ultimately to a decision to take his own life. Although the plot is transparent early on, that fact doesn't deter the reader from anxiously turning the pages to share Richard's joys and disappointments along his road to self-discovery. I found this book profoundly moving and unforgettable and highly recommend it. ( )