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Pirey
By Petre M. Andreevski
Translated By Will Firth and Mirjana Simjanovska
Pirey, by Macedonian poet, novelist and playwright
Petre M. Andreevski, is one of the most celebrated novels
of modern Macedonian literature. Set during the Balkan
Wars, the First World War and the years soon after,
the story follows the major political shifts in the
Balkans at the end of the Ottoman Empire and their catastrophic
impact on a Macedonian village and a married couple,
Ion and Velika.

The book is famous for its depiction of life around
the time of the division of Macedonia, its characterizations,
and its use of language and historical setting.
While Ion is in the army, Velika struggles as she watches
her children and her village ravaged by war. In one
famous scene, Ion, conscripted into the Serbian army,
and his brother, coerced into the Bulgarian army, come
face-to-face one night on the battlefield.
The author, Petre M. Andreevski, was a Macedonian poet,
novelist and playwright who won numerous awards for
his works, many of which have been translated into other
languages. Pirey is his most famous novel and was a
best seller in Macedonia.
This is the first translation of Pirey into English.
The translators, Will Firth and Mirjana Simjanovska,
are both Australian professional translators. Mr Firth
has over 20 books to his credit, and Ms Simjanovska
is a teacher and academic.
Pirey is the 11th Macedonian book published by Pollitecon.
It is available in Australia for $20 plus $5 postage.
Overseas airmail is A$35, and seamail A$28.
Pirey, Paperback, 288 pages, A5 size, Four-colour celloglazed
cover, ISBN 978-0-9804763-2-3.
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