As if I'm not there(I am)

«As If I Am Not There(I am)» is a powerful and emotional novel written by Croatian author Slavenka Drakulić. It tells the story of S., a young Bosnian woman whose life is brutally changed during the Bosnian War.

In May 1992, S.'s life — a 29-year-old educated and beautiful teacher - is turned upside down. Her home in a small town is destroyed, and she becomes a victim of sexual violence by Serbian soldiers. She loses everything: her home, her job, her dignity, and her sense of security. Eventually, S. manages to escape to Sweden, where she gives birth to a child conceived as a result of rape. Her daughter has no name, country, language, or father. Her only "parentage" is the faceless mass of soldiers who raped S.
The novel explores the horrific consequences of war for women, focusing on the issue of sexual violence. It depicts not only the physical pain but also the psychological trauma that victims face.

«As If I Am Not There(I am)» is not just fiction. It is based on the real testimonies of women who experienced sexual violence during the Bosnian War. Drakulić masterfully weaves their stories together with S.'s story, creating a powerful and moving novel.