Whenever I think of books on the Balkans I think of Ivo Andric's Bridge on the River Drina, which is so amazing I need to go back and reread it (Balkan Chronicles did less for me). John Le Carre's Our Game is about the Caucasus, but it evokes many of the same moods and explore similar themes but with more of a sense of coming from the fringe or edge. (I am sure I am alone in considering it one of his very best novels.)
In any case, I was unfamiliar with Manning's books, but now I shall have to go look for them.
The Balkan and Levant trilogies are up there in my all time favourites list. Not much good to you in Ottomania but I do have the BBC version on video. I was re-watching it just three weeks ago. It's really rather fab, although Prince Yakimov is appallingly irritating on film.
Also if you liked this you might like To War With Whittaker: the Diaries of the Countess Ranfurly. It is similar in setting and content to the trilogies, but it's not fictionalized.
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In any case, I was unfamiliar with Manning's books, but now I shall have to go look for them.
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But speaking of the Caucasus, must go and pack for my Georgia trip...
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Not much good to you in Ottomania but I do have the BBC version on video. I was re-watching it just three weeks ago. It's really rather fab, although Prince Yakimov is appallingly irritating on film.
Also if you liked this you might like To War With Whittaker: the Diaries of the Countess Ranfurly. It is similar in setting and content to the trilogies, but it's not fictionalized.
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