June 24, 2024
A middle-aged immigrant sorts through his memories of the Bosnian War and his present-day romantic woes in this clever and moving work of autofiction from Prcic (Shards). Izzy Prcic lives out of his car in Salem, Ore., where he drinks heavily and writes confessional and often self-deprecating fan emails to comedian Bill Burr. Interspersed with the letters are short stories written by Izzy and narrated by characters who, as Izzy explains in his letters to Burr, represent different versions of himself (“every chunk a snapshot of a particular brokenness”). In “Slouching Toward Pichka Materina,” the narrator recalls how he escaped the war’s privation by huffing paint with the other punk rock kids. The 17-year-old narrator of “Bosnian Dream” struggles to assimilate to life in the U.S., where his uncle advises him to cold-call DreamWorks for a job rather than go to college. In “Teletovič
Grills Lamb, Defensively,” set in the present, the narrator tries to connect with his American-born son through playing a violent video game. Prcic adeptly portrays his characters’ shaky lives and painful pasts, and the blend of autobiography and metafiction evokes Izzy’s disorientation. Prcic’s impressive talents are on full display. Agent: PJ Mark, Janklow & Nesbit Assoc.
December 6, 2024
This deeply poignant and complex novel melds existential despair with dark humor, reflecting the turbulent journey of its protagonist, Izzy. The narrative traverses the emotional and psychological wreckage of exile, portraying the struggle of a refugee whose past in war-torn Bosnia clashes with his fractured present in the United States. Prcic (Shards) combines a fragmented storytelling approach with sharp, sardonic wit, capturing both the brutal realities and the tender moments of Izzy's life. The prose paints a vivid portrait of a man battling inner demons while navigating the complexities of a new life. Prcic also narrates this raw and honest exploration of identity, trauma, and addiction and exhibits vulnerability in voicing the parts of the novel that seem to reflect on his own childhood in Bosnia, which was marked by the devastation of bombings, and his struggle with alcohol addiction. Prcic's storytelling is a brilliant and emotional cry from the heart, with a mix of humor and sorrow that resonates deeply. VERDICT A powerful, darkly funny, and emotionally rich narrative about the indomitable human spirit and the quest for self-recovery. An insightful, poetic, and moving original.--Susan McClellan
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