In the Albanian mountains during the fifteenth century, the imperial pasha, the commander-in-chief of the war council, works to get hold of the Christian fortress in hopes of taking control of its people and forever ruining their way of life. Winner of the 2005 Man Booker International Prize.
In the Albanian mountains during the fifteenth century, the Ottoman Army works to conquer a Christian fortress in hopes of taking control of its people and ruining their way of life.
The story of the siege of a Christian citadel in the Albanian mountains by the Ottoman Army in the 15th century.
"Believe me," the general said, "I've taken part in many sieges, but this," he waved towards the castle walls, "is where the most fearful carnage of our times will take place. And you surely know as well as I do that great massacres always give birth to great books."
A Christian citadel in the Albanian mountains is confronted by envoys of the Ottoman Army with a simple message - accept our terms of total submission and avoid the inevitable violence. The Christians balk and begin to prepare to protect their fortress. As the bloody and psychologically crushing fight for control of the citadel unfolds, Ismail Kadare opens a literary window into the eternal clash between religions and empires, as well as the exhilaration, despair, and psychology of the battlefield.
The Siege is portrait of human cunning, battlefield strategy, and the grinding effects of warfare.
