Rating: 
Summary: Bazhe is a modern day hero.
Review: Growing up in Midwest America, my childhood heros were the stars of Hollywood. From Superman to Madonna, celebrities shaped my young notions of what was cool, sexy, brave, noble, and romantic. As an adult, I've come to realize that these idols are merely fabrications produced and sold to a public that craves glamour and adventure. And though I still enjoy the movies and music of pop culture, my fear is that the lights and glitz of Hollywood blind us from seeing the real-life heros. Bazhe is a real life hero. His story wasn't made on a soundstage... It's based on truth. Bazhe was born and raised in Macadonia, an anachronistic society lead by tyranny and full of strife. But despite the political climate, the war waged in this book is fought by one man, who fights for freedom against all odds. Being gay made him a social underdog, being a beauty made him a victim, and being a rebel made him dangerous. What gets Bazhe through his struggle is his admirable pride and bravery. Despite the leers, attacks, and ultimate ostracism he faces for being gay, Bahze never compromises, he only grows stronger. The recollection of his life, as presented in "Damages," is so intense, so thoughful, that readers feel as if his plight is their own. Though his book is being ignored now, I have a feeling that someday it will be considered A WORK OF GREAT IMPORTANCE. I would recommend it to anyone.
Rating:
Summary: Discovered at Book Expo America 2003
Review: I am a NYC librarian and I discovered this book at Book Expo America 2003 in Los Angeles. There are enough memoirs out there to satisfy any self-help reader, but Bazhe gives us something fresh, inventive and literate. Bazhe has a way of putting words together, and I love his simple and direct sentences. He is a born storyteller. He considers not only how we relate to others, but also how we relate to his story. He poses questions that all of us have to face at one time or another: how can I live a life full of pain and grief without a crutch to hold me up? More importantly, how do I get rid of the crutch after I've grown to depend on it for every step? Anyone able to face and beat hardship deserves strong praise. But someone that can beat it, and write such an honest book deserves a medal. If you want a heartbreaking and entertaining story, then I will highly recommend this book.
Rating:
Summary: Damages is a Beautiful Book.
Review: I had to tell, to all of you, how much I enjoyed reading Damages. To take a glimpse of the each character's life in this book is like learning consecutive valuable lessons that we can use any moment of our lives. This story is very unique, the author's voice is intriguing and original, but it brings back a lot of situations that we all have experienced. This book made me analyze and understand my family and my relationships with people better than any book before. I am dying to find out what happened next. I am hoping that the author will write the sequel to Damages soon. I thank Bazhe for reminding me of from where I came. This book is a must read for anyone. I recommend the new 2004 version ISBN 0595297145.
Rating:
Summary: An Important and Powerful Story
Review: I read lots of books that are true stories, but Damages really hits home with a unique perspective on todays world events from Bazhe's experiences that are, in your face, honest.
Beleive me, I haven't read anything like this since "Before Night Falls" by Arenas.
Bazhe's story is a movie director's dream.
Bazhe's writing is very picturesque (and he is not born in America) that while reading Damages I felt like I am watching a movie. I hope Bazhe will get into writing movie scripts.
Do yourself a favor and pick up this book.
Rating:
Summary: Damages - A novel of a human
Review: I seldom read autobiographies since most of these ghost-written homilies airbrush the warts and pimples from the "author" while making it seem that they had saved Western civilization along the way. But Bazhe was a very interesting person to talk to, and he'd convinced me that his book was even more so. I was not many pages into "Damages" before I realized that the Bazhe I met at his book signing was not the Bazhe that is. Anyone we know, even our spouse or our closest friend, presents an edifice to the world, a structure that is the sum of their life experiences and their genes. What they are is normally what you see, but what you see is the finished product, or at least a work in progress. Others on Amazon have discussed the events in Bazhe's "Damages," so a recap here isn't necessary. What I would like to concentrate on is the autobiography itself. Not the events in his life, but what they reveal about the author and, implicitly, about us all. "Damages" is not a typical autobiography. The open, honest, unflinching nature reminds me of some of the better works of Burroughs, Rechy, and Ginsburg. It is raw. It is difficult at times. It is a reflection of humanity at its best, and humanity at its worst. Bazhe hides nothing. His words describe his life but also define the man as few other autobiographies have. And by defining the man, they also define the culture in which he was born and raised. Much of Bazhe's life may seem alien to readers, but they will also grasp the essential truths that underlie his life story. This is not a life glossed over to make it seem better or more noble. This was a life the author lived. Much was admirable, some was not. But all rings true. "Damages" is the essence of one man. "Damages" is one of the few books I would give a "5" to. It's not for those who see the world through rose-colored glasses. It's not for those who can't tolerate the reality that comes into human lives. But is it for everyone that wants to learn more about the human condition, one person at a time. I have great admiration for Bazhe. He lived through conditions that might have had most of us running for the exit. He had the courage to investigate his origins. He accepted life as it was, surviving, while embracing his familial obligations. He learned, grew, and formed himself into an integrated, functioning person. How many of us could have done that? I recommend Damages. Enjoy Bazhe's life as it unfolds. Learn more about humanity. And wonder what you would have done if you were in his place. I know I thought about the book and the author long after I finished it. And I honestly don't know what I would have done were I in his position. But do any of us? We weren't there. We can only observe and marvel at Bazhe's trek through life. And wonder, What would I have done?
Rating:
Summary: What a big surprise!
Review: I've just finished reading Bazhe's document, Damages. I'm calling this autobiography a "document," because it not only documents the author's early life, but it also documents a behind-the-scenes view of the dissolution of Yugoslavia, and the "underground" nature of the GLBT community there, while artfully comparing American society to society in eastern Europe, most notably former Yugoslavia. The caveat at the beginning of the book states that this is a true story, but some of the names and circumstances have been modified to protect the identities of some of the characters. I'm glad they didn't say that it was to protect the "innocent." No one seems to be "innocent" in this book. The story begins with the death of Bazhe's cruel father, a retired communist official, and Bazhe returns to the Macedonian province in Yugoslavia to visit his mother. During his visit, he discovers that his beloved adoptive mother is not well. Eventually, she consents to seeing a doctor. Bazhe nurses her in her home, while finally locating his biological mother. During their first meeting, a secretive week, Bazhe reveals to his birth mother, and his readers, his painful, abusive, and lonely childhood, with a significant window of real happiness. I identified with Bazhe in many ways, while in the end I didn't know whether to envy or pity him. Finally, I found myself counting my own blessings. While losing his own innocence at a tender age, he is forced to create his own world. His striking good looks are both a blessing and a curse. Bazhe brilliantly tells stories of his growing up in a world that he knows will damn him. The stories interweave to develop in him the strength that he will need to survive. There is great maturity here. There is incredible happiness as well as heartbreaking sadness in this man's life, and he comes out of it as a survivor. A survivor of the damages that make him what he is. The real danger of baring your soul as Bazhe has done, is that readers can end up feeling that they know the author, well. In this case, I feel that Bazhe has kept some of his most private thoughts to himself, while sharing a great deal of both joy and sorrow. While the book could use a better job of editing, I cannot fault the author, especially since English (the American version) is his sixth language. This book is beautifully written and reads smoothly. He does an excellent job of moving the story along, and holding the reader's attention, even though this is a fairly long book. In spite of its length, the romantic in me would like to have read more of the author's relationship with his partner, Fred. He states that Fred loves him, and I'm sure he loves Fred, but there must be a solid relationship there for them to endure the lengthy separations that occur. This must be one area that Bazhe decided to keep something to himself. Who could blame him? If you're ready for a real-life story of a very difficult time in world history, as well as looking into some very happy and very sad windows into a rebels life, by all means, this is an excellent book for you. You'll find it a tremendous surprise. A tremendously good surprise.
Rating: 
Summary: Yuck! Puke! Barf!
Review: If I could give this book a minus ten stars, I would. This is the most discusting book I have ever read. It is awful ... outrageous ... overdrawn ... regurgitating ... diarhea driven ... You get the picture? Don't waste your hard earn funds on this one! Instead, read "ON THE DOWN LOW."
Rating:
Summary: "Damages" is a beautiful eulogy
Review: It is rare for me to read a book cover to cover, but "Damages" had me reading it passionately to its conclusion. I am young, yet to experience the pains and pleasures of this world. Reading "Damages" has affirmed my belief that life is an adventure, full of possibilities. I can only hope to experience a tenth of what this brave and intelligent man lived. I highly recommend this book to anybody.
Rating:
Summary: Worth Reading
Review: The adventures and coming-of-age story of a young gay man have by now become a well- (even over-) explored genre. But this particular story presents a unique point of view and setting. Tell the truth: How many Macedonians do YOU know? Bazhe's upbringing and coming-out, set in the socially and morally repressive waning years of Balkan communism, present unique challenges and dangers (and opportunities) that the author vividly describes. He possesses a keen eye and ear for character, and the family, friends, lovers and enemies that populate this book ring true-to-life. His highly "accented" and melodramatic use of American English serves a unique purpose: Reminding the American reader that he or she is a foreign visitor to this book, privy to extremely personal feelings and events that might not always reflect an American mindset, but which are nonetheless real and compelling. Bazhe is by his own account no saint, and presents his life and deeds un-flinchingly - the good and the bad alike. Definitely "worth a read."
Rating:
Summary: MORE REVIEWS for DAMAGES by BAZHE
Review: THE INDEPENDENT, FL
"...is a powerful read and certainly not one that one will forget in a hurry." DH, QUATREFOLIO LIBRARY, MN
"Bazhe has led fascinating life. The disintegration of Yugoslavia, with the rise of racial and religious strife, creates a fascinating backdrop for Bazhes's chronicle." NOTES FROM HOLLYWOOD, CA
"Damages was a very difficult book...I have to challenge my denials and truths as accurately as possible." VP, NZ WRITERS, New Zealand
"Bazhe has a way of communicating with the reader, that makes you feel like you are there talking face to face with him. It's a compelling read, and would make an excellent movie." CHICAGO PRIDE, IL
"Damages is an important book...My hope is that it can work a similar magic on you." KN, RLD BOOKS, NM
"If you're ready for a real-life story of a very difficult time in world history, as well as looking into some very happy and very sad windows into a rebel's life, by all means, this is an excellent book for you. You'll find it a tremendous surprise-A tremendously good surprise."
|
