(Reviewed by Don Jung)
Rakiya is a very interesting collection of eleven short stories that feature various characters in bizarre situations that cover some of the history of Bulgaria. Each story has a protagonist
that struggles to find answers to their circumstances. Each is also well written with some of the characters coming back in later stories to enhance the narrative.
The writer describes the scenery of Bulgaria and pictures the culture and the history of a country with vivid descriptions. Each story has a different setting with some historical commentary of a country long forgotten in the modern world. Some are uplifting while some are heart wrenching.
The highlight for me is the story about “Forgiveness.” It portrays elderly 95-year-old Avraham asking for redemption from his involvement in the Holocaust. His call to the son
of an old friend to see him is filled with regret, guilt, and remorse as he tries to
ask for salvation for his sins. It is vivid, intense and gut wrenching to understand
this catastrophe.
Another story explores why Bulgaria aligned with Adolf Hitler and Germany in World War
II, and why the Army refused to send any of the 46,000 Bulgarian Jews to the concentration camps in Germany and Poland. It was unusual protocol to disobey the Nazi command and yet this story explains how it happened.
Another story is about a Tel Aviv resident working in Bulgaria who had to fly back
to attend the birth of his son. Every obstacle hit him as he tried to get to the airport
as flights got canceled but somehow, he was able to make it.
This is a nice introduction to the people and the history of Bulgaria as it has compelling
stories that will resonate long after you finish the last page.
