Requiem For Barbara

The Book!

“Requiem for Barbara” is one of the best, most beautiful books I've read in the past two or three decades. This is not a romance novel but a novel about love where deep, philosophical thoughts and premises enrich the work; where deep psychological analyses show the depth of the author's mature thinking, character analysis, of the time and space in which the work is set, and the skill and ease of conveying all this to the reader. The book is read in one breath - one simply cannot let go of it. I was forced a couple of times to do some other work, and my thoughts were only with the protagonists of this enigmatic work, written by the enigmatic writer Branka Čubrio, who conquered the world with her beautiful novels full of deep thoughts, feelings, spirituality and humanity. I wholeheartedly recommend this work to everyone, it will enrich your soul and broaden your horizons. Barbara, Davor and Lora should be included in the world's unforgettable literary characters, like Anna Karenina, Count Vronsky and Kitty Scherbatski.

Haunted by a beautiful novel I’ve read a few years ago in Serbo-Croatian by Branka Cubrilo, I just needed to read it again once it was published in English. The book left a deep impression on me the first time around, and I wanted to read it again to see if it had lost any of its charm in translation.   I wasn’t disappointed, in fact the second read cemented my original sentiments bringing me even closer to this author’s soul. Yes, this story is all about heart and soul, as are many of Cubrilo’s other novels I’ve read. Her daughter Lora discovers her mother through a series of Barbara’s letters written to her estranged father after Barbara’s passing.  Heartbroken Lora’s desire to learn more takes her to the other side of the world, her mother’s place of birth, where the rest of her life is revealed. A beautiful story of deep love and longing, not just between Barbara and Lora, but of true love generally, of heartache and of the human soul, which is the essence of us all.  Deeply human and beautifully written.   Highly recommended….

The ease with which this story began settled quietly within my soul. The words eloquently detailed, even though they were sad, hurtful and expressed the aroma of the silent pain that wafted from pages before my eyes. This was the first hour and a half, when at 2a.m. in the morning, I began to read, or should I say, devour every morsel of this story. I had to put it down for a few days, for my heart and soul were completely overwhelmed with raw emotion. My mind raced and would not allow me any rest or peace. The sacred and pure beauty of the love between Barbara and Davor was a love that spoke only to their existence and has now found refuge within me. Through the heartbreak that only the purest of truths could bring was the invisible vine that laced its eternal lifeline and cord throughout the consciousness of these two beloveds, tethering their very essence and existence eternally. Barbara, the living breathing tortured soul, that loved beyond measure only two souls: Davor her eternal soul mate, and Lora her precious heart itself, her daughter. Even Barbara felt love for another. It was never that all-encompassing love that she breathed with Davor. Her life's journey, her truth, her love, her existence, it all was the life and breath of this amazing, beautiful soul. I truly, even now, don't think I can catch my breath as I compose this review. The author has captured the very essence of an intricately woven reality that is alive, breathing, and feeling. I find myself mourning and grieving the lost of these pages, wanting that they could live on just a little while longer. I have the tears that have seeped from my soul and spilling into my heart, welling in my eyes. What an amazing and brilliantly talented Author and Writer Branka Cubrilo. I will, after I have recovered, in the future, read her novel again. What a lovely and precious diamond of a novel.

Actually, I would not analyze this book too much and reveal to the reader the plot and the qualities of the main characters. All I want to say is that this is one of those stories that engraves in your heart and memory and you take it with you forever grateful that you found it. Branka is a great storyteller, a refined writer, her sentences are intelligent, wise, and full of rhythm; her story is full of soul. Read it, you’ll love it.

I just finished Perfect Strangers and I’ve been on and off sobbing for at least the last third of the book. I got to the epilogue and felt such relief and was finally drying the tears, but the last paragraph set me off again. Why does all of her books insist on making me cry until my eyes are empty. A 5⭐️read, I would recommend to anyone and everyone.

Actually, I would not analyze this book too much and reveal to the reader the plot and the qualities of the main characters. All I want to say is that this is one of those stories that engraves in your heart and memory and you take it with you forever grateful that you found it. Branka is a great storyteller, a refined writer, her sentences are intelligent, wise, and full of rhythm; her story is full of soul. Read it, you’ll love it.

I read Requiem for Barbara in one go, couldn’t put it down. It’s a great story told beautifully. Cubrilo is always in command of her language, her sentences sing and linger for a long time. Highly recommended.

Requiem for Barbara is beautifully written book about a young woman trying to find and establish her place in the world of literature. She is a single mother, with many obstacles on her path to her dream. Is this novel, there are several very strong, unique characters, wise and with much depth. The reader, through the characters reflects upon their own life and mistakes. Loved the book and wholeheartedly recommend it.