{"product_id":"free-coming-of-age-at-the-end-of-history-9780141995106","title":"Free: Coming of Age at the End of History","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003eFree is a memoir of coming of age amid political upheaval, by Lea Ypi, winner of the Ondaatje Prize and the Sunday Times Bestseller. It explores the limits of progress and the burden of the past, illuminating the spaces between ideals and reality and the hopes and fears of people pulled up by the sweep of history. \u003c\/blockquote\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFormat\u003c\/strong\u003e: Paperback \/ softback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLength\u003c\/strong\u003e: 336 pages\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublication date\u003c\/strong\u003e: 01 June 2022\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublisher\u003c\/strong\u003e: Penguin Books Ltd\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTHE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER WINNER OF THE ONDAATJE PRIZE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLea Ypi grew up in one of the most isolated countries on earth, a place where communist ideals had officially replaced religion. Albania, the last Stalinist outpost in Europe, was almost impossible to visit, almost impossible to leave. It was a place of queuing and scarcity, of political executions and secret police.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTo Lea, it was home. People were equal, neighbours helped each other, and children were expected to build a better world. There was community and hope.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThen, in December 1990, everything changed. The statues of Stalin and Hoxha were toppled. Almost overnight, people could vote freely, wear what they liked and worship as they wished.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThere was no longer anything to fear from prying ears. But factories shut, jobs disappeared and thousands fled to Italy on crowded ships, only to be sent back. Predatory pyramid schemes eventually bankrupted the country, leading to violent conflict.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAs one generation's aspirations became another's disillusionment, and as her own family's secrets were revealed, Lea found herself questioning what freedom really meant. Free is an engrossing memoir of coming of age amid political upheaval. With acute insight and wit, Lea Ypi traces the limits of progress and the burden of the past, illuminating the spaces between ideals and reality, and the hopes and fears of people pulled up by the sweep of history.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWeight\u003c\/strong\u003e: 266g\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimension\u003c\/strong\u003e: 129 x 197 x 23 (mm)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eISBN-13\u003c\/strong\u003e: 9780141995106\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Lea Ypi","offers":[{"title":"Paperback \/ softback","offer_id":44100958257402,"sku":"9780141995106","price":10.7,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0522\/4297\/2845\/products\/1654856895541_book.jpg?v=1655095584","url":"https:\/\/shulphink.com\/products\/free-coming-of-age-at-the-end-of-history-9780141995106","provider":"Shulph Ink","version":"1.0","type":"link"}