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Death and the Dervish (Writings From An Unbound Europe) Paperback – August 14, 1996

by Mesa Selimovic (Author), Bogdan Rakic (Translator), Stephen M. Dickey (Translator)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 79 ratings
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Death and the Dervish is an acclaimed novel by Bosnian writer Mesa Selimovic. It recounts the story of Sheikh Nuruddin, a dervish residing in an Islamic monastery in Sarajevo in the eighteenth century during the Ottoman Turk hegemony over the Balkans. When his brother is arrested, he must descend into the Kafkaesque world of the Ottoman authorities in his search to discover what happened to him. He narrates his story in the form of an elaborate suicide note, regularly misquoting the Koran. In time, he begins to question his relations with society as a whole and, eventually, his life choices in general.

Hugely successful when published in the 1960s, Death and the Dervish is an enduring classic made into a feature length film in 1974.
Previous page
  1. Print length
    473 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Northwestern University Press
  4. Publication date
    August 14, 1996
  5. Dimensions
    4.75 x 1 x 8 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0810112973
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0810112971
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Lauded by the publisher for its contribution to understanding "the current crisis" in the former Yugoslavia, this tale of moral failure takes place at some undefined point during the Ottoman occupation of Muslim Bosnia. It was a bestseller when published in Yugoslavia in 1966, but it seems probable that its popularity lay more in its portrayal of a Yugoslavia oppressed than in any intrinsic artistry. Ahmed, the dervish of the title, has lived in religious seclusion for most of his life; his searching, self-centered and at times deranged internal dialogue constitutes most of this lengthy narrative. Selimovic (The Island; The Fortress) portrays a man hopelessly out of touch with himself and others, viciously in need of being right, secretly coveting power for himself. Groveling before authority, he knowingly betrays innocent people, yet rationalizes everything with perverted interpretations of the Koran. His brother's death, towards the beginning of the novel, and the near-destruction of the community's purest and most generous soul, by the end, enclose a tortuous psychological exposition of the perils of delusion and the ease with which fear destroys the most unyielding moral good. It is a probing portrait containing some valuable insights, yet with a character as insipid as Ahmed, it is hard to really care.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"A famous novel...that generates enormous power—worthy of comparison with Selimovic's great countryman and forerunner Ivo Andric." —Kirkus
 
"Selimovic portrays a man hopelessly out of touch with himself and others, viciously in need of being right, secretly coveting power for himself. Groveling before authority, he knowingly betrays innocent people, yet rationalizes everything with perverted interpretations of the Koran. His brother's death, towards the beginning of the novel, and the near-destruction of the community's purest and most generous soul, by the end, enclose a tortuous psychological exposition of the perils of delusion and the ease with which fear destroys the most unyielding moral good." —Publishers Weekly

"If there is any alternative to the bleak despair that permeates Death and the Dervish, it could be found in the solidarity and love between members of a family and friends. This simple message is timely, and badly needed in Bosnia today." —World Literature Today

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Northwestern University Press; Translated edition (August 14, 1996)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 473 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0810112973
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0810112971
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 15.9 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 4.75 x 1 x 8 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 79 ratings

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Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
79 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Castus
5.0 out of 5 stars The best novel you've never read
Reviewed in the United States on July 22, 2020
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Death and the Dervish by Meša Selimović is arguably the largest hidden gem of world literature. Originally published in 1966, it took three decades for it to be finally translated into English, and while it’s a very well-known and acclaimed novel among the peoples of the former Yugoslavia it is virtually unrecognizable outside of that region. This is a shame because the fascinating tale of Ahmed Nurrudin, the novel’s central character, and the shadowy world of Ottoman occupied Bosnia he lives in is something that can easily stand among the other classics of literature.

It is true that Death and the Dervish may not be an easy read for everyone. Its pacing is slow in some parts; Selimović is keen to spend many words analyzing minute details which not many novelists care about, like the very facial expressions certain characters have in the middle of a dialogue. Death and the Dervish is not a contemporary paperback bestseller however, and in part it’s precisely because these painstaking poetic elements of Selimović’s prose exist that makes it a masterpiece. At its core it is a philosophical novel that explores themes like free will and authoritarianism, but the way it blends these problems in a complicated and shadowy world makes it hard for us to easily render moral verdicts for or against someone.

Ahmed is also a highly complex and three-dimensional character, and the author’s use of the first person point of view in the novel is very robust and comprehensive. Ahmed frequently engages in philosophical rumination, but this rumination is very grounded to the events that occur in his life which can make us quite impressed with his intellect. However, his pusillanimity, or malodušnost as Selimović would say, in the face of a very powerful and oppressive authority complicates the way we see him. This complication only adds to the appraisal value of the novel for having a multifaceted and believable protagonist.

In closing, do yourself a favor and read this book ASAP.
6 people found this helpful
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Spencer A. -SE Idaho
4.0 out of 5 stars This Book is by no means an easy book to read for an American
Reviewed in the United States on December 1, 2015
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This Book is by no means an easy book to read for an American. I took an Eastern European culture course and this book was a required reading. I found the writing style just hard to read, and comprehend.
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Susan C. Bentler
5.0 out of 5 stars Wan Keeper of a Pale Flame
Reviewed in the United States on May 24, 2004
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Imagine that all things remotely resembling justice flees your homeland. Imagine fair play becomes a faint dream of lost centuries; a spiritual aspiration carried aloft as low flame into the ever-present darkness. What if tending the flame became your inescapable duty? What if you alone held the last bit of light amidst bottomless evil?

And what of your loved ones? What if they were carried off into hopeless incarceration for the merest whiff of fortuitous knowledge obtained by proximity, not involvement? If you lived in a place wholly unacquainted with anything resembling justice, if all was pervasively corrupt, diffident autocracy, could you, would you be . . .Courageous? Ethical?

Forgiving? Would you carry The Flame?

What if tables turned and you suddenly, inexplicably were granted powers you assumed would always you? How would you use them?
"Death and the Dervish" takes place in 17th century Bosnia amidst the cruel, clumsy colonialism of an Ottoman "kasaba," a provincial outpost of enervated empire. The story's events occur in the ethical vacuum invariably created by over-extended empires.

Not enough has been said about the beauty of Sheikh Ahmed, light of this sensitive novel and the wan keeper of a pale flame. His character is articulated beautifully, full of the sincereity (and sorrow) born of a Muslim education, Sufi training, and worldly experience. The Sheikh endures the greatest of human tests; unanticipated access to power after horrendous humiliation. The price exacted this power is ultimate, but his inner contest is affirmingly universal.

The Sheikh is finest when facing the neglected avenue of public expression, a thing unknown to his lethargic townfolk. The moment at the mosque after the Sheikh's brother is known to be murdered is a stunning, close examination of human conscience and its furious power. Sheikh Ahmed's struggle is a persistent dialogue with his higher self, as he conducts internal arguments thtat will aloow expression of the deep outrage he shares with those around him. Unlike the others, the Sheikh neither deflects nor suborns when facing the exertions of tyranny.

Should you wish to find an exquisitely written (and translated) book, a moving story that portrays Muslim belief as humane and enlightening, this book is a excellent portrayal of a man's struggle for justice; the struggle for the Lit Flame. "Death and the Dervish" broadens our understanding of what is actually not foreign. . . because the book's Muslim characters are European and are as such, are keenly aware of the Christian West and its ways.

I remain deeply attached to Sheikh Ahmed, missing the weight of his inner beauty. Author Mesa Selimovic successfully reached into the stream of human consciousness to find a good man caught in horrific circumstances. As the Sheik moves forward to face the temptation of power and the seduction of revenge, we are treated to a subtle portrayal of an artfully-drawn psyche and its lonely power.There but for grace . . .
17 people found this helpful
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Billy Blues
5.0 out of 5 stars A rare example of a true Masterpiece.
Reviewed in the United States on October 17, 2007
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The word masterpiece is too often used for all kinds of material that barely rises above the level of mediocrity. Selimovich is a master of the craft, and this is his great work. As simple as that. It should be apparent to those with a sense of literary merit from the first pages that this is an exceptional piece of writing. If however you don't like challenges I'd recommend lighter fare. Selimovich is intense to a point almost unbearable at times. The book is as internal as they come, but the narrative does move, and the characters that intrude on the tortured protagonist's awareness are well drawn. Which is an understatement. The penetration we get into diverse mentalities and the rendering of their physicality, awe the reader. If you are a writer this is an essential book. This is true for anyone who believes in the art of the novel. This will serve as an example of the highest order.
5 people found this helpful
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William T. Hopkins
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful
Reviewed in the United States on January 29, 2013
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I'm not sure what to say about this book here because I feel like trying to give a comprehensive review will simply be glaringly inadequate. All I can really say is that this book is beautiful. It is tragic without ever being cliche. The text is almost poetic. It has a compelling plot but retains philosophical profundity. It is dense. There is no denying that. But is is well worth it.
3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Krule
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
Reviewed in Germany on January 24, 2020
Verified Purchase
As expected. Delivery was slow but it arrived within expected time-frame. Book was used (as expected) but in a good condition. The book content, fantastic.
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Burak Tarcan
5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome book - must read
Reviewed in France on January 27, 2018
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Awesome book with a philosophical touch. Set in the 18th century ottoman Bosnia, it is a passionate story. Good to get a feeling of Sufi orders as well.
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my_happiedesk
5.0 out of 5 stars hard read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 14, 2013
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was very difficult to get into but once you did it was a very rewarding read - deffinately worth the effort
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Mandrake
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 18, 2017
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What an amazing book.
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H. Tee
4.0 out of 5 stars Neutron star density narrative - dense but an enjoyable challenge
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 14, 2014
Verified Purchase
This is the most famous Bosnia novel by Author Selimovic written in 1966. It is the first person narrative based around 1700s Sarajevo Islamic tekke (monastery).

The basic story is the narrator Sheikh Nuruddin, an ex-soldier of about 40 years old, is a leading member of a religious order (a Dervish) on the outskirts of the town (kasba). He lives along side Mustafa, deaf and married with kids; Mullah Yusaf, a 25 year old ill pale individual; and finally Hufiz-Mohammed, a knowledgeable youth and initial friend of Hassan. We learn that the local kadi (town leader) has had Nuruddin’s brother (a simple clerk, 15 years his junior) arrested. He’s invited to Hassan’s father’s house where the sister tries to persuade him to get Hassan to deny his inheritance (for dishonouring behaviour Constantinople). Nuruddin sees the potential to gain influence and get his brother released. Hassan grows to be Nuruddin’s close friend whilst horse trading and womanising (possibly Catholics).

Nuruddin is an existential, over thinker. He plans, schemes and visits important people to effect his goals which start with freeing his brother but about half way turn to revenge on the town’s people and leaders. We certainly get in side his head; and for all his religion, his God plays surprising little on his mind – he still seems very much wedded to this earth in his views, personal and selfish behaviour. Nuruddin is ultimately a complex and unforgiving character and we have 450 pages of detailed, hard going, narrative based in a multicultural historic setting. Ultimately, I think, the tale is about betrayal on many levels social, religious, family and friends.

Some quotes:

“I look at these long rows of words, the tombstones of my thoughts, and I do not know whether I have killed them, or given them life”

“What was I risking? I did not know, and therefore I say: everything.”

“Failure doesn’t upset you, since you can always rely on eternity; you find justifications in reasons beyond yourself. Personal loss is less important. And pain. And men. And the present day. Everything continues into eternity, faceless and vast, sleepily torpid and solemnly indifferent. Like the sea: it cannot lament the innumerable deaths that continually occur in it”

“Hope is the pimp of death, a murderer more dangerous than hatred. It’s deceptive; it knows how to win you over, to calm you and lull you to sleep, whispering whatever you want to hear, leading you to the blade”

“It became clear to me how men die. I saw that it is not so hard. Or easy. It is nothing. One just starts living less and less, being less and less, thinking, feeling and knowing less and less. The rich flow of life dries up, and only a thin thread of uncertain consciousness remains, more and more meagre, more and more insignificant. And then nothing happens, there is not anything, there is nothing. And nothing matters – it is all the same.”

“The only thing I don’t know is how long guilt lasts. Does it continue into the next world?”

This is quite a bleak, dark and challengingly dense book. It’s not the easiest of reads and the story, though a constant tread to its ultimate finale, his secondary to the depth of social, political and personal intrigues and motives. It’s an east-European condensed soup mix of Sartre, Pessoa and Andric. 4 stars.
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