Bibliograph

Free, a child and a country at the end of history, Lea Ypi

Type

Label

Free, a child and a country at the end of history, Lea Ypi

Language

eng

resource.biographical

autobiography

Index

no index present

Literary Form

non fiction

Main title

Free

Oclc number

1291213043

Responsibility statement

Lea Ypi

Sub title

a child and a country at the end of history

Summary

"A reflection on "freedom" in a dramatic, beautifully written memoir of the end of Communism in the Balkans. Lea Ypi grew up in the last Stalinist country in Europe: Albania, a place of queuing and scarcity, of political executions and secret police. While family members disappeared to what she was told were "universities" from which few "graduated", she swore loyalty to the Party. In her eyes, people were equal, neighbors helped each other, and children were expected to build a better world. Then the statues of Stalin and Hoxha were toppled. Almost overnight, people could vote and worship freely and invest in hopes of striking it rich. But factories shut, jobs disappeared and thousands fled to Italy, only to be sent back. Pyramid schemes bankrupted the country, leading to violence. One generation's dreams became another's disillusionment. As her own family's secrets were revealed, Lea found herself questioning what "freedom" really means. With acute insight and wit, Lea Ypi traces the perils of ideology, and what people need to flourish"--, Provided by publisher

Table Of Contents

Stalin -- The other Ypi -- 471: a brief biography -- Uncle Enver is dead -- Coca-Cola cans -- Comrade Mamuazel -- They smell of sun cream -- Brigatista -- Ahmet got his degree -- The end of history -- Grey socks -- A letter from Athens -- Everyone wants to leave -- Competitive games -- I always carried a knife -- It's all part of civil society -- The crocodile -- Structural reforms -- Don't cry -- Like the rest of Europe -- 1997 -- Philosophers have only interpreted the world; the point is to change it

Classification