Doruntine (novel)
| Company type | Novel |
|---|---|
| Industry | Literature |
| Founder | Ismail Kadare |
| Products | Fiction |
Doruntine or Who brought Dorontine (originally ) is a work of fiction by the Albanian author Ismail Kadare, inspired by the traditional Albanian tale of Constantin and Doruntine.
Plot
Doruntine, a member of the distinguished Vranach family, weds into a remote clan. Her brother Constantine had pledged their mother to bring her back if she ever needed help. After no communication for three years, Constantine suddenly reappears, awakening Doruntine and escorting her home on horseback. He departs to attend church, but when their mother opens the door, both women are stunned to discover that Constantine has been deceased for three years. Shortly afterward, both mother and daughter pass away, leading the local police chief Stres to launch an inquiry.
Reception
The novel earned widespread international praise for Kadare’s narrative skill and literary style.
The Chicago Tribune described Kadare as "a master storyteller" capable of evoking enduring moods. Alain Bosquet lauded Doruntine as a brilliant work that fuses romantic elements with modern sensibilities, emphasizing its suspenseful nature, cultural authenticity, and successful adaptation of an ancient legend into an engaging fable.