Vitomil Zupan (1914–1987)

My favorite book of 2010 was Matterhorn by Karl Marlantes. I liked Minuet for Guitar very much. While not an anti-war novel, it contrasts the cluelessness of front line troops, carelessly deployed by leaders who don't know much either. The little triumphs are mostly the result of individual seflless heroism. There are long battle scenes where Berk fights on careless of his own safety, in the moment, functioning at an animalistic level, unconcerned for his own safety. In contrast are interludes of philosophical speculation on the nature of war, leadership, soldiering, turncoats, and relations with the locals. There are numerous Good News/Bad News gems: once Berk warms up after freezing for days, the lice start biting him again.

Since history is written by the winners - mostly the big winners, we see the fight from Slovenia a tendril on the periphery, even with connections to the Spanish Civil war. And how remote Berk and his sometime company were from the major theater and politics of WWII.… (plus d'informations)

This book was written by a participant in Slovene action in World War II. The protagonist simply walks out of barbed wire enclosed Ljubljana, under German control, and joins the partisans in the woods and mountains. There is another, contemporary plot line that gives impetus to the war narrative, and it provides for some of Zupan's most interesting philosphical moments, but what makes this book one of the great war novels I have ever read is the precise sense it gives of what is too often called 'the fog of war'. It isn't fog, so much as a wicket labyrinth. Virtually the entire war, the protagonist has absolutely no idea what is going on and the reader feels it. There is also one of the most tender scenes I have ever read between two people, two men in a sort of crevasse, hiding out. I won't give away who wins the war, but I hope that Zupan becomes more widely known. This one tops Cendrars' lice and I wouldn't put it far behind Journey to the End of the Night.… (plus d'informations)