Publisher's Synopsis
In response to obstacles that the 20th century throws before him, Alfred always finds enduring strength to radiate an unwavering charisma, to be an enterprising, discerning and very successful, steadfastly honest and ultimately - happy man.The Happy Man describes the life of a Macedonian Jew, Alfred, since birth in Bitola in the early 20th century, until his death in Vienna nine decades later. The story of his dynamic and fortunate life also describes dramatic circumstances in the Balkans through which it passed: misery and joy of growing up in the Jewish settlement Chiftlick in Bitola in the south of Macedonia; studies, employment and activism in pre-war Belgrade; captivity by the Nazis and four years in officers' prison camps; the ethical and political conflicts after liberation; maltreatment by both Yugoslavia and Israel; pride and disappointment in his wife and sons; financial downs and successes; fading passion and a late love bloom; echoes of the breakup of Yugoslavia - all of this contributes to a rich and complex reading. Fascinating events unfold within picturesque surroundings, following a steady rhythm narrative that captures readers' attention and pulls them through the book. Cities in which Alfred lived are presented by vivid pictures of historical and individual proceedings leaving the impression that the cities themselves - Bitola, Belgrade, Vienna, Haifa and others - have a personality of their own. A variety of real-life insights, authentic characters and countless unfamiliar but interesting historical facts make this story engaging and informative. The relationships of an individual with the State in which they are not the ethnic majority are cross-cutting themes here.The novel is based on the author's experiences, real events and real-life figures, but some events are fictional. Ristic summerizes: "The protagonist of this story was my father's best friend. In the 1950's and 1960's, for us in Yugoslavia, he was like a rich relative from abroad. Whenever he came to Belgrade, our apartment would fill with warm laughter, jokes and anecdotes. Our visitor used to bring me the most wonderful toys that always added to my fame among the neighborhood kids."Through comprehensive research the author collected a treasury of information about life and political circumstances of the epoch and with that, greatly enriched the novel. The numerous real public figures as well as popular fictional characters are attractively intertwined and described, together with their contributions to history and to the main character. Alfred is often in the focus of events. Sometimes akin to Forrest Gump, he is a player in comic, tragic, unexpected anecdotes from pre- and post-war Yugoslavia, Austria and Israel during the 20th century. The story glides back and forth through time and the reader gradually forms a mental picture of Alfred, easily identifying with the problems that he meets and how he resolves them. At the same time, the novel offers a wealth of topics for introspection and questioning one's own relationship to contemporary realities and challenges.
