The outstanding debut novel from Téa Obreht is a true delight. Set in the post war Balkan territories and recounting stories of her grandfather, our protagonist Natalia guides us through a cascade of characters and memories that weave a fabric of modern mythology. It is these characters and in particular the exposure of their histories that truly elevate the emotional connection one has to the telling of the various tales and to the characters themselves. Brutality is foreshadowed by sensitivity, cruelty by tenderness. Poignant and melancholic The Tiger's Wife is a beautifully crafted fable told with warmth and imbued with a very distinctive spirit. Highly recommended!
- William