Greta Jani
University “Aleksander Moisiu” Durres, Albania
In contemporary Albanian literature, prose remains the most developed genre. Every year, new prose titles and author names contribute considerably to the enrichment of our literature. Such is the name of Tom Kukes who, in recent years, has substantially enhanced his prose and introduced a lot of memorable characters.
Drawing upon a subjective literary inclination, observing the swift enrichment of Tom Kukës’ repertoire with new publications, and with a discernible aim towards linguistic scholarship, we have chosen to embark on an examination of the language employed within the novel “Flames.” This endeavour seeks to elucidate certain linguistic characteristics inherent in the author’s oeuvre. Tom Kukës has amassed a corpus of four novels within a five-year span, all of which are catalogued in the national library, with “Flames” emerging as one of the most widely read and esteemed narratives among Albanian readers. The author’s identity remains veiled in a shroud of mystery, a deliberate choice on his part, as he articulates a desire for readers to engage with his work purely on its literary merits, divorced from any preconceptions influenced by extraneous associations with media, politics, business, or other realms. Shakespeare’s intentional anonymity mirrors historical precedents, where speculation and varying conjectures cloaked his persona, yet his enduring legacy remained unaltered. Ultimately, it is the works themselves, rather than the biographical details of the author, that endure in literary memory. The novel “Flames” unfolds as a chronicle of the 1930s Albanian capital, weaving a tapestry of inexplicable and enigmatic occurrences that beset the city. Early Tirana serves as the backdrop for the narrative of sin and tragedy depicted by Tom Kukës in “Flames,” a narrative that delves into the depths of human frailty. Crafted during a period of quarantine, the novel juxtaposes contemporary circumstances with events of a bygone era, illuminating a time when collective memory was tenuous, with the burden of remembrance shouldered primarily by women. The narrative introduces a cast of original characters, often evoking archetypal heroes from folklore and fairy tales, whose names resonate with a peculiar yet evocative charm, redolent of a forgotten Tirana.
Volume 9, No.2 (2024): April
ISSN 2661-2666 (Online) International Scientific Journal Monte (ISJM)
ISSN 2661-264X (Print)
DOI : 10.33807/monte.20243143
DOI URL: 10.33807/monte.20243143
Full Text: PDF
This is an open-access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)