Abstract
This paper explains that Slavenka Drakulic, in "How We Survived Communism and Even Laughed", tells of her experiences and her friends' everyday lives and political experiences living in communist Yugoslavia from a woman's perspective. The author points out that the reason for the collapse of communism, according to Drakulic's book, is the failure of communism to provide the basic necessities for the female half of the Yugoslavian population. The paper concludes that Drakulic believes that communism is more than an ideology or a method of government but rather a state of mind and habit, which has yet to be erased from the collective consciousness of those who have lived under it.

From the Paper
"Communism failed to provide freedom of expression and speech. Journalists who go astray and write negatively about the system are often given "tender persuasion" by the government. These persuasions cause journalists to self-censor themselves and cause paranoia and distrust for other journalists.
"The book also mentions on how Drakulic was in amazed bewilderment regarding the homeless people in New York and how she sees the injustices because of the "communist eye" that sticks to people who lived under communist systems."

Tags:feminist shortages, double standards, censorship, collective consciousness

Abstract
This paper uses some of Drakulic's examples of cleavages between Eastern and Western Europe to define the obstacles that stand before a united Europe. It points out that language barriers, currency, nationalism, and distrust are but a few of the aspects that keep Eastern and Western Europe divided, yet many political scientists see a future for Europe in which these cleavages dissolve.

From the Paper
"Through encounters with border police, stories of traveling, hygiene, and personal accounts across Europe, Slavenka Draculic, author of Cafe Europa captures many aspects of the strong social and economic cleavages that continue to divide Eastern and Western Europe. The question provoked by the book, that is, the future for Eastern Europe and its acceptance by the West, is a complex one."

Tags:communism, croatia, drakulic, europe

Abstract
This paper discusses the book "Cafe Europa," by the Yugoslav author Slavenka Drakulic. The writer explains that the book provides an insightful look into the lives and politics of the residents of several countries in East Central Europe, and shows what the psychological impact of the Soviet Bloc has been on them and their struggle to become part of the west. The writer describes their values, their attitudes towards money and uniforms, and their yearning for being part of Europe that is symbolized by a Cafe Europa, or two or three, in every city. The writer concludes that this book shows what Europe is like, both East and West, and how they view each other, and that it will take a while before Eastern Europe becomes a part of the rest of the continent.

From the Paper
"In this part of the world, the uniform has always equaled power. The uniform reflects some relation to the all-powerful state, even though it's not all-powerful anymore. Arkan, the notorious war criminal threw a large wedding in Belgrade. What did he wear? A uniform of course! Why? He wasn't an officer in the Serbian military, or any other military for that matter. He was a simple guerilla commander. He chose a Yugoslav royal army officer's uniform. He is searching for legitimacy. He wants to look heroic. "Without his uniform, his soldiers and arms, Arkan would be a nobody". The uniform is the ultimate power symbol in the Balkans and is used to justify many brutal acts all in the name of "nationalism". Drakulic tells us it is here for a long time to come. The effects of this can be felt everywhere, even Istria."

Tags:Zagreb, Balkan, hole-in-the-wall, communist, Russia, nationality, Croatia, Slovakia

Abstract
This paper will review the Dracula by Bran Stoker, and seek to understand the way the book relates to national unity of multiculturalism in the Serbs and the Croatians are seen in the book "A Novel about the Balkans" by Slavenka Drakulic. By observing the nationalistic observations of this more modern book, we can see how this relates to the themes of multiculturalism in the present region where it Stoker presented his tale. By understanding this complex country, and its many peoples, we can see why the book can be compared in the review of the culture that is present within Dracula.