The world of literature lost Ismail Kadare earlier this month. The Albanian author, novelist, poet, and playwright, widely regarded as one of the most important voices in contemporary literature, was 88. Born in 1936 in Gjirokaster, Albania, Kadare’s work often explored the complexities of Albanian culture, history and politics. Winner of the inaugural edition of the International Booker Prize in 2005, he was nominated numerous times for the Nobel Prize in Literature. His writings, such as The Siege and Broken April, are a profound exploration of the human condition and have been translated into numerous languages and have garnered international acclaim.
Here are some of Kadare’s books that you should pick up to read this monsoon.

1. The General of the Dead Army

A poignant and thought-provoking masterpiece, in The General of the Dead Army, Kadare crafts a haunting and powerful novel that explores the legacy of war and its impact on humanity. With masterful prose, Kadare weaves a tale of loss, memory, and redemption, raising essential questions about the nature of conflict and the human condition. The story follows an Italian general who returns to Albania to retrieve the remains of his fallen soldiers from World War II and as he journeys through the ravaged landscape, he confronts the ghosts of the past and the harsh realities of war.

2. Broken April

Another masterpiece, in Broken April, the Albanian writer masterfully explores the complexities of Albanian culture and the cycle of violence that haunts its people. The novel chronicles Gjorg, a young man who becomes embroiled in a blood feud that spans generations. With this, Kadare delves into the nuances of honour, loyalty, and the unyielding grip of tradition. Set against the stark beauty of the Albanian mountains, the novel is a powerful and haunting tale of love, revenge, and the futility of vendetta, raising essential questions about the true cost of bloodshed that is relevant even today.

3. The Palace of Dreams

Set in the mystical world of the Ottoman Empire, Palace of Dreams follows Mark-Alem, a young man who becomes embroiled in the intrigue-ridden Palace of Dreams, where the Sultan’s dreams are interpreted and manipulated by the mysterious and feared Master of the Dreams. With the command of magic realism in his pen, Karade delves into the tensions between East and West, reason and superstition, and the fragility of individual identity.

4. The Great Winter

Bringing yet another story from his land, Kadare’s The Great Winter delves into the human cost of political oppression and the resilience of the human spirit. The book explores themes of complexities of Albanian identity, politics, and culture during the Cold War era. In what seems like Kadare’s personal essay, the story follows a group of Albanian intellectuals and artists who are forced to navigate the treacherous landscape of Enver Hoxha’s communist regime. As they struggle to maintain their creative freedom and personal autonomy, they must confront the harsh realities of censorship, surveillance and exile.

5. The Pyramid

Shifting focus from his homeland, Kadare crafts a fascinating and multilayered novel with The Pyramid that explores the enigmatic world of ancient Egypt. The story revolves around the construction of the Great Pyramid, a monumental undertaking that becomes an all-consuming obsession for the Pharaoh and his architects. As the pyramid rises, so do the tensions between the Egyptian and foreign labourers, priests, and rulers. With his characteristic mastery of historical and cultural nuance, Kadare weaves a rich tapestry of myth, symbolism, and psychological insight, raising essential questions about the nature of civilisation and the enduring legacy of art and architecture.

6. Twilight of the Eastern Gods

Twilight of the Eastern Gods is a captivating novel that offers a rare glimpse into the lives of aspiring writers from Soviet satellite countries, struggling to find their voice amidst the constraints of socialist realism. With wit, irony, and profound insight, Kadare explores the tensions between artistic expression and political ideology, as well as the complexities of cultural identity and belonging. A fascinating and deeply personal account of a pivotal moment in Kadare’s development as a writer, Twilight of the Eastern Gods is a must-read for anyone interested in literature, politics, and the human spirit.

7. The Seige

First published in 1970, The Siege is a rich tapestry of myth, legend, and historical facts. Kadare masterfully recounts the Ottoman Empire’s 15th-century conquest of Albania and explores the psychological and cultural dynamics of war. The novel’s central plot revolves around the siege of an Albanian fortress, but Kadare’s gaze extends beyond the battlefield to reveal the intricate web of political intrigue, religious fervour, and social upheaval that shapes the fates of individuals and nations. With lyrical prose and piercing insight, Kadare conjures a haunting portrait of a civilisation at the precipice of transformation.