The Cellist of Sarajevo

All of the characters in the novel, in some way, show how war has an effect on the human heart and psyche. Dragan and Kenan constantly question their own lack of courage. Their fear for their own lives, exacerbated by their fear for their family members, has turned them both into trembling, fearful men who have lost their joy in, and hope for, a better life. This fear and depression eats away at the psyche in a way that few that have not experienced war can ever imagine. 

What is even harder for Kenan is witnessing his wife and children go without good food, water, and electricity. One of the most heartbreaking moments in this novel comes when Kenan wants to wake his wife and children to enjoy the electricity that has momentarily returns. He pictures his children’s laughter and smiles as they watch their favorite TV shows, however, before he can wake them, the lightbulb goes off, telling him the electricity is, once again, dead.

But if any character shows how much war affects the human heart and psyche it is Arrow. Arrows metamorphosis from a gentle, studious, college student into a crack sniper is Galloway’s chief statement about the corrupting nature of war.