Max M. Gulias' novel, “Sarajevo: A Novel,” follows two individuals whose lives are forever altered by the Bosnian Civil War, illustrating the devastating impact of conflict and the enduring strength of the human spirit. An award-winning playwright, professional screenwriter, published scholar and teacher, Gulias draws upon his extensive background in literature, history, and cultural studies to craft a deeply moving and thought-provoking narrative.
Set against the backdrop of 1990s “Sarajevo,” the novel, follows Sonja, a former ballerina turned Serbian militia sniper, and Faruk, a Muslim Bosnian ballet dancer whose family is destroyed by war. Though their paths never directly cross for most of the story, their lives become unexpectedly intertwined through tragedy, art, and fate. As both characters journey to America and eventually return to their war-torn homeland, they rediscover their love for dance and creativity, confirming that the artistic imagination and creative expression remain the paramount means of healing even the deepest wounds.
Gulias earned his Ph.D. in English Studies from Illinois State University and received the Ronald Williams Prize for Excellence in Playwriting in 2010. A professional screenwriter whose scholarship appears in The Renewal of Cultural Studies, he has also written fiction, nonfiction, drama, and screenplays while traveling extensively to explore the histories and cultures that inspire his work. His experience in theatre, film, and education enriches the emotional depth and authenticity found throughout “Sarajevo: A Novel.”
Early readers have praised the novel for its emotional complexity, compelling storytelling, and vivid characterization.
Author and teacher, Hugh Malafry, Ph.D., described it as having “solid detail, well-wrought scenes that heighten setting while revealing dimensions of character, and an undercurrent like a battalion of oncoming tanks on the horizon as viewed by a lone sniper,” adding that he would like to see an art film worthy of the novel.
Patrick Mooney, M.A., teacher and scholar, writes: “The writing is well-executed, insightful, and occasionally screamingly funny. Hats off to the author for not turning it into a mawkish love-across-enemy lines story; the ending is different and probably not what you'd expect, and is tonally perfect for the story that the novel tells.”
“Sarajevo: A Novel” invites readers to witness the resilience of the human spirit through a gripping tale of war, loss, and the transformative power of art. An engaging novel, it is now available for purchase on Amazon and other major online book retailers.
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