Bridge on the Drina

The Bridge on the Drina is a novel by Ivo Andric that follows the lives of people connected by a bridge in Visegrad, a town caught between the Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian Empires. The bridge spans generations, nationalities, and creeds, and is built by a Serb kidnapped by the Ottomans.

Format: Hardback
Length: 464 pages
Publication date: 02 September 2021
Publisher: Everyman

The town of Visegrad, situated in a strategic location between the Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian Empires, endured a long period of conflict and rivalry. However, its sixteenth-century bridge, a testament to its architectural prowess, managed to survive unscathed until 1914, when tensions in the Balkans escalated and triggered the outbreak of the First World War. Spanning generations, nationalities, and creeds, The Bridge on the Drina offers a captivating glimpse into the lives of individuals who have been intertwined with this majestic stone structure. Among them is the bridge's builder, a Serb kidnapped as a boy by the Ottomans and later appointed as the empire's Grand Vezir. Driven by a deep longing to reconnect with his mother, he decides to construct a bridge at the very spot where he was separated from her. However, his plans are met with resistance by a workman named Radisav, who harbors a dark secret and seeks to hinder the construction of the bridge with horrific consequences.

In a separate chapter, the story introduces Fata, a young woman who climbs the bridge's parapet to escape an arranged marriage. Fata's decision to defy her family's expectations brings her into contact with Milan, a notorious gambler with a troubled past. As they navigate the treacherous waters of love and chance, the bridge becomes a symbol of their hopes and dreams, a place where they can risk everything for a chance at a better life.

Through his vivid storytelling, Ivo Andric paints a poignant portrait of the ordinary Catholics, Muslims, and Orthodox Christians whose lives are interconnected by the bridge. In a land that has served as a bridge between East and West for centuries, the bridge becomes a metaphor for the complexities and contradictions of a region that has experienced the clash of cultures, religions, and ideologies.

The Bridge on the Drina is a masterpiece of historical fiction that offers a rich and nuanced understanding of a tumultuous period in European history. With its vivid characters, intricate plot, and stunning prose, this book has remained a beloved classic for generations. It serves as a reminder of the power of human connection, resilience, and the enduring spirit of a people who have weathered the storms of history.

Weight: 560g
Dimension: 138 x 212 x 32 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781841594026