"Who Cursed Us...?!": Translated from the Albanian version, "Kush na mallkoi...?!"

Who Cursed Us?! is a stirring historical novel by Age Gjokaj Ivezaj that delves into the emotional legacy of Albanian families torn between tradition, survival, and the uncertain promise of a better life abroad. Set in the town of Hoti, Montenegro during the mass Albanian emigration of the late 20th century, this novel follows Leka, a conflicted man who must choose between remaining with his beloved wife, daughter, and mother-or risking everything on a journey to Italy and America. Deeply rooted in the customs of the Code of Leke Dukagjini, the story captures the harsh realities of exile, gender roles, generational sacrifice, and the enduring pain of separation.Through vivid characters, poetic language, and authentic Albanian cultural detail, Ivezaj explores the universal human struggle for dignity, belonging, and hope. This novel is more than fiction-it is a tribute to the forgotten stories of a people whose tears are etched into every stone of their homeland.A literary and cultural testament to resilience, love, and the bitter price of emigration.