The short stories included in 'Dead Smoke' are perhaps not the easiest to read, and the reader will go through various stages of despair in the face of the horrors of human existence. But this does not make them any less valuable or necessary, for as you read them, little gems of kindness, boldness, diligence, and stoicism shine through indulgently.
But perhaps the most valuable thing that any reader gains from reading
these stories is the conviction that the past is not lost if we ignore it, but
must be analyzed, discussed, and dissected, not necessarily to facilitate
understanding, but to avoid repetition. Also remarkable is the way in which
Jevrić captures the essence of each story, without too many detours or actions
that fragment the reader's attention, who is immediately exposed to the core of
the story, like a chasm yawning directly at their feet, leaving them no escape
or chance to distract themselves.
A few excerpts:
‘...
The dead Serbs are being moved from the Serbian part of Sarajevo.
One man had enough money to take his dead father with him, but left his
living mother at home.
…
The old man held a piece of paper with the message: "When I didn't
have warm clothes, I had the strength to fight the cold. I was used to it; but
when you promised to help me, I started to believe in promises. I gave up the
fight. I believed you."
...’
