The Hired Man

Duro Kolak lives a quiet life as a handyman in the Croatian town of Gost when Laura, an English woman, arrives with her children to renovate an old blue house. He offers his services and expertise to help restore the property, establishing himself as an integral part of their daily routines. As work on the house progresses, particularly the restoration of an ancient mosaic, the layers of local history begin to surface. The relationship between Duro and the newcomers becomes complex as past events from the Yugoslav Wars cast shadows over the present-day interactions in the small community. The narrative moves between contemporary Croatia and the 1990s, revealing how the wounds of war remain present in even the most peaceful settings. Through Duro's measured observations and careful actions, the story explores memory, loyalty, and the price of survival in a close-knit rural community. The novel examines how trauma and violence can become embedded in the fabric of a place, while questioning whether true healing and reconciliation are possible in communities shaped by conflict. The quiet tension that runs throughout the book mirrors the unspoken histories that define many post-war societies.

Readers commend the detailed portrayal of post-war Croatia and the way the story unfolds through small revelations. Many note the book's slow-building tension and the authentic depiction of village life. Readers appreciate: - The precise, understated writing style - Complex character development - Historical accuracy - Atmosphere and sense of place - The weaving of past and present narratives Common criticisms: - Pacing too slow in the first third - Some find the protagonist's voice unconvincing - Multiple timeline shifts can be confusing Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (180+ ratings) LibraryThing: 4.1/5 (300+ ratings) Reader quote: "Like peeling an onion layer by layer, the truth is revealed with such subtlety you hardly realize how much tension has built until you can't put it down." - Goodreads reviewer

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🔹 Aminatta Forna wrote this novel after spending significant time in Croatia, where she was struck by how the scars of war remained visible in rural communities decades after the conflict ended. 🔹 The mosaic restoration in the novel mirrors actual archaeological discoveries in Croatia, where Roman and Byzantine mosaics are frequently uncovered during renovation projects. 🔹 The author drew inspiration from her own experiences of civil war in Sierra Leone, bringing a unique perspective to her portrayal of post-conflict society in Croatia. 🔹 The Yugoslav Wars (1991-2001) displaced over 2.5 million people, making it the largest refugee crisis in Europe since World War II until the recent Ukrainian conflict. 🔹 The novel won the 2014 Warwick Prize for Writing and was praised for its sensitive handling of how communities process collective trauma.