Globe Corner Blogs

I have a confession: I have never completely read Rebecca West’s magnum opus Black Lamb and Grey Falcon. I am sure that this is not a big deal to most people, but I am a self-proclaimed Balkan junkie. If you have ever been in the store looking at the Croatia section, you have probably been subjected to hearing about my love of Dubrovnik, my favorite restaurants, the pros and cons of each guide book to the area, and the results of my extensive research on where to get the best and cheapest ice cream. I have read practically everything that I can get my hands on, except for what is considered to be the defining travelogue of the area.

My history with the book is long. I have lugged it across the Atlantic six times. I have started it about five times. It has a pretty cover, or did: during its sixth trip to Croatia it served as my night stand. I have read a few chapters here and there. I have met other travellers at cafes who were staring at the tome while sipping on turkish coffee and started friendships over the fact that the Treasury in the Dubrovnik Cathedral is just like she described it. (I have actually read the Dubrovnik chapter.) I have used it for self-defense against an over-agressive Balkan lothario.  It is quoted in every travelogue that I have ever read about the area. It is considered a classic and has had accolade after accolade bestowed upon it. I should have devoured it long ago, yet I have never been able to actually read the whole thing. Maybe because it weighs two and a half pounds. But this year I will read every page in the book…except maybe for the footnotes.

Read more: Balkans, Book Reviews, Croatia, Dubrovnik, Eastern Europe, Rebecca West, Travel Writing


Lisa can usually be found staring longingly at the Eastern European shelf at the Globe Corner Bookstore. However, she really wants to go to Colombia.

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