Rudian, who becomes an object of desire for the two young women, is selfish, bad-tempered, occasionally violent, but gifted. The diktats of social realism do not allow for the supernatural on stage. Sign Up You agree to receive occasional updates and special offers for The New York Times's products and services. Western readers may find the allusions frustratingly indirect, but Kadare has accustomed himself to telling his tales slantwise, even in a post-totalitarian era where anything goes. By the end of this story Kadare allows his characters to violate nature and death, echoing the footsteps of Orpheus.

Source: New York Times February 23, 2018 09:56 UTC