“Време разделно” / “Time of violence”
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Autor:
Anton Donchev
Country:
Bulgaria (BG)
Book Theme:
Contemporary writers of your country
Publisher:
Zachary Stoyanov
Publishing Year:
1964
Anton Donchev studied law at the University of Sofia, but declined a position as a judge in a regional court and started writing. His world-famous novel “Time of Violence” said to be written in only 41 days and it is translated in 33 languages. A central place in Donchev’s work is occupied by historical novels, unfolding well-known plots and characters from the Bulgarian past. The writer uses historical realities. Author of science fiction stories dedicated to space flights and encounters with other civilizations. He writes the scripts of several feature films and television series, three of which are international. Author of children’s books, short stories, travelogues. He won numerous national prizes for literature and for his social, cultural activities.
National Award for Children’s and Young People’s
Abstract
The events described in the novel take place in the Rhodope Mountains,i n the spring of 1668, At the head of the three sides in the conflict are Karaibrahim, a child of Bulgarians from the valley and leader of the Janissaries who came to impose the new religion; Suleiman the Aga, the local chieftain and Manol, the most respected Bulgarian in Elindenya. The story is told in parallel by the Bulgarian priest Aligorko and the Venetian, a French knight who was captured by the Turks and converted to Islam. The Janissary Karaibrahim, together with a detachment of 120 horsemen, arrived in the Rhodope Valley of Elindenya to Islamize the local Orthodox Bulgarians. Three villages, are located along the river. The Turks stop at a cemetery, where they see Manol and Pope Aligorko. The two Bulgarians return and inform everyone that a detachment of Spahii has arrived. Karaibrahim and his men take up residence in Suleiman aga’s huge guest house in the village of Prosoyna.The villagers of Elindenya decided to hide the women and children. Karaibrahim ordered the gathering of the leaders of the village, ordering Suleiman Agha to assist him. The village of Chepino was burned. Its inhabitants seek salvation in the neighboring mountains. Manol seeks the help of Süleyman Aga to lead them against the Janissaries. But the aga cannot rise against the padishah. The first-timers gather in the inn. They declare to Karaibrahim that they will not give their faith and that the time has come. He gives them ten days to decide whether to accept the “true” faith voluntarily. Karaibrahim learns of Elica and Manol’s wedding and takes a group of Turks to go hunt them down.They capture the women and rape them while the men are locked up in the inn. Karaibrahim takes Elitsa for himself. At the end Karaibahim kills everyone, led by Manol,
there is no mention of the 3 villages that were in this vicinity. There is nothing left of Elindenya.
