The story of a young Albanian and a primitive Albania awakening into the modern world.

‘Where are we going, where are they taking us?’

The Second World War is about to start, but life for a young boy in a small town in Albania is still a game. Yet, as the country falls to the Italians, then the Greeks, then eventually to the Nazis, and is mercilessly bombed by the British, the boy grows up.

In a seamless mosaic of dreams and games, Kadare’s young narrator both reflects and distorts events as his ancient, magical home town-and his own innocence and sense of wonder-are lost forever in the madness and brutality of the Second World War. A disturbing mix of tragedy, comedy, politics and sexuality, Chronicle in Stone is a fascinating early masterpiece from the winner of the inaugural Man Booker International Prize.