story
A work-in-progress.
“ Start ” Svetlana began writing in 2003 about life in Valona (the city of Vlorë in Albania).
“ Chapter 2 ” Svetlana revised her memoir of the return to Belgrade and the house her mother bought there in 2007, after her mother’s death in 2005.
“ Chapter 3 ” Svetlana looks back at her predecessors.
“ Chapter 4 ” Svetlana lives with her grandparents in Belgrade and starts school in 1940, Hitler is already at war.
“ Chapter 5 ” Svetlana experiences the bombing of Belgrade on the morning of April 6, 1941 as Germany starts its invasion.
“ Chapter 6 ” Svetlana recalls life under German military rule.
“ Chapter 7 ” Svetlana and her friend Cveta attend school, go swimming and sledding according to the season as the occupation continues.
“ Chapter 8 ” Svetlana and Gordana play and explore with friends.
“ Chapter 9 ” 1944 brings the saturation bombing of Belgrade on Orthodox Easter and the invasion of Normandy on her mother’s birthday.
“ Chapter 10 ” Returning to Belgrade in the fall and the Soviet-Partisan-Bulgarian liberation of Belgrade in October.
“ Chapter 11 ” The new regime brings demands and new miseries and Svetlana joins a new school.
“ Chapter 12 ” The post-war miseries continue with bedbugs, disappearing neighbors, Svetlana’s father sent to mine in Bosnia, and powerful men covetous of their address.
“ Chapter 13 ” The markets are bare, Slobodan writes poetry, and Svetlana survives scarlet fever, but times get better with a Greek diplomat as a boarder.
“ Chapter 14 ” New grade, new friends, Svetlana in the fifth grade. Slobodan describes life in America.
“ Chapter 15 ” More memories of postwar misery.
“ Chapter 16 ” Svetlana reaches higher grades, coping with the regime.
“ Chapter 17 ” Svetlana nears maturity, Slobodan starts writing.
“ Chapter 18 ” Svetlana and her friends reach university.
“ Chapter 19 ” A summer outing, Svetlana turns her back on Tito and starts work in the United States embassy.
“ Chapter 20 ” Another summer outing and then, at work, Svetlana spots a Hannaher.
“ Chapter 21 ” Svetlana lives in the now, working and studying.
“ Chapter 22 ” A Valentine’s Day date with Bill starts their romance, Svetlana visits Paris and is diagnosed with Charcot-Marie-Tooth.
“ Chapter 23 ” Svetlana’s acceptance of Bill’s proposal leads to emotional turmoil and a September wedding.
“ Chapter 24 ” Bill drives Svetlana to Budva.
“ Chapter 25 ” Departure from Belgrade, travel, arrival in Rome.
“ Chapter 26 ” Pregnancy, a birth in Belgrade, travel to the United States.
“ Chapter 27 ” Arrival in New York City and first Christmas.
“ Chapter 28 ” Bill starts translating, buys a new television/stereo console, and meets the neighbors.
“ Chapter 29 ” A summer visit to Minnesota, meeting Bill’s parents.
“ Chapter 30 ” Svetlana is homesick and travels by boat and train to Belgrade.
“ Chapter 31 ” Svetlana’s visit to Belgrade, she returns by train and ship to New York.
“ Chapter 32 ” Svetlana recounts another summer trip to Minnesota and concludes with the assassination of President Kennedy.
“ Chapter 33 ” Svetlana and the children travel to Belgrade for an extended visit in 1966.
“ Chapter 34 ” Svetlana recounts some experiences from 1966 and 1967.
“ Chapter 35 ” Svetlana taught Serbo-Croatian.
“ End ” The editor fills in the remainder of Svetlana’s life.