- Mass Market Paperback: 208 pages
- Publisher: Penguin Putnam Inc; Reprint edition (26 Nov 1998)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0140242058
- ISBN-13: 978-0140242058
- Product Dimensions: 18 x 12.8 x 1.8 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 841,700 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
Zlata's Diary
and over one million other books are available for Amazon Kindle .
Learn more
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Did you know you can trade in your old books for an Amazon.co.uk Gift Card to spend on the things you want? Plus, get an extra £5 Gift Certificate when you trade in books worth £10 or more before June 30, 2012. Visit the Books Trade-In Store for more details. |
|
There is a newer edition of this item:
|
Product details |
More About the Author
Product Description
Review
The only bright thing to come from [Sarajevo?s] recent history. ("USA Today") Conveys the bewilderment and horror of modern-day conflict... One of Zlata's gifts lies in throwing a human light on intolerable events. ("San Francisco Chronicle")
--This text refers to the
Paperback
edition.
Product Description
Zlata Filipovic was given a diary shortly before her tenth birthday and began to write in it regularly. She was an ordinary, if unusuallyintelligent and articulate little girl, and her preoccupations include whether or not to join the Madonna fan club, her piano lessons, her friends andher new skis. But the distant murmur of war draws closer to her Sarajevo home. Her father starts to wear military uniform and herfriends begin to leave the city. One day, school is closed and the next day bombardments begin. The pathos and power of Zlata's diary comes from watching the destruction of a childhood. Her circle of friends isincreasingly replaced by international journalists who come to hear of this little girl's courage and resilience. But the reality is that, as they flyoff with the latest story of Zlata, she remains behind, writing her deepest feelings to 'Mimmy', her diary, and her last remaining friend.
--This text refers to the
Paperback
edition.
Suggested Tags from Similar Products(What's this?)Be the first one to add a relevant tag (keyword that's strongly related to this product)
|
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Zlata Filipovic has pinned the horrific reality of war down on paper in the way that only a child puzzled by politics ("Stupid politics!!") can. At first her days are filled with MTV, sleepover parties, studying for school tests, skiing, piano recitals, and weekends at the family's country house - interspersed with Zlata's favourite meal, pizza from Four Seasons.
Almost overnight Sarajevo is engulfed in a terrible war and Zlata is left bewildered, angry, and afraid as her childhood is destroyed by constant bombardments and shortages of the most basic necessities. Her short but simple description of 'the nicest present I ever got' - a tomato - and the simplistic child's language with which she speaks of her crumbling world are incredibly powerful.
However, while Zlata is an amazingly courageous little girl and undoubtedly very articulate, she is no Anne Frank. Throughout the diary, the reader gets the impression that Zlata is even trying to 'compete' with Anne, and her memories of Sarajevo - while a testimony to a generation's loss and the collective voice of thousands of children just like her - are not as well-written or as vivacious as Anne's. The merits of Zlata's diary lie within the raw emotion and puzzlement that throbs through each line, not in pure literary talent.
A valuable read for children who need to understand that privileges can vanish unexpectedly, and for adults who - like Zlata - quietly believe that there is really no need "to put a 'C' on Croats, an 'S' on Serbs, and an 'M' on Muslims".
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
When I first Read this book afew years ago I was astonished. How could shuch a small child write something of such quality. At times I was reduced to tears. It doesnt take much for me to cry but the thought that it was real and not just in my imagination sent a shiver down my spine. Zlata couldnt go to school or even out of her house from fear of death. She befriende a stray kitten feeling pitty for it. It was infact her who should have been scooped up and taken care of in that cruel war. Even when she hears of her friends death she keeps up with her diary and with life. This young girls courge and strength in time of hardship should be a witness to all. How this heartfelt record of events is so unknown is a huge mistery to me. The name Zlata Filipovic should be shouted from the rooftops.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
A diary written from a children's point of view just before the outbreak of war in Sarajevo. Zlata is 11 and likes all the things an 11 year old should: school, friends, pets, music and simply being a young girl.
She was already writing her diary before war broke out. When she was writing about her experiences it was refreshing to read them from a child's point of view. However, as another reviewer says below it becomes disjointed and there are so many people mentioned. Then again, it was written by a child. She writes incredibly well, with adult insight at times.
A short read for an adult, a more complex read for a child in my opinion. However, the cover is a bit dated now and might put a lot of people off.
She was already writing her diary before war broke out. When she was writing about her experiences it was refreshing to read them from a child's point of view. However, as another reviewer says below it becomes disjointed and there are so many people mentioned. Then again, it was written by a child. She writes incredibly well, with adult insight at times.
A short read for an adult, a more complex read for a child in my opinion. However, the cover is a bit dated now and might put a lot of people off.
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
An insightful read for adults and children alike.
Reviewing an Audiobook here is a recent departure for me, as this is just the second time I have done so. Read more
Published 6 months ago by LindyLouMac
Good purchase
Book was in excellent condition and good value.
This really gives a close up experience of what it was like to be there.
This really gives a close up experience of what it was like to be there.
Published on 28 Dec 2009 by Mr. T. Durston
Life in Sarajevo during the war
This was a fascinating and moving account of the effects of war on children.
Written during the war that split Yugoslavia, by a teenager living in Sarajevo, it must also... Read more
Written during the war that split Yugoslavia, by a teenager living in Sarajevo, it must also... Read more
Published on 17 April 2007 by DubaiReader
Zlata's Diary
For a girl who has had her childhood disturbed by war, Zlata is a surprisingly normal teenager! I enjoyed reading her diary, although it did get a little bit boring in places. Read more
Published on 15 July 2006 by Catherine
the most tear-jerking book ever
i first read this book when i was 10, and it nearly made me cry, thinking that someone my age was going through this. Read more
Published on 5 July 2001
A real-life account of life in a war zone.
A real-life account of life in a war zone. Zlata Filipovic, a normal child living in the Balkans until war errupts in her country and changes her life forever. Read more
Published on 21 Oct 2000 by emilygarner@hotmail.com
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
