The Cellist of Sarajevo broke our hearts.  For some, it was just too much.  Characterisation was astute and beautifully crafted.  Did we feel sorry for Arrow, or admire her?  Did she have a choice if she wanted to remain true to herself?  What would the book have been if she had been male?  Ordinary people who find themselves besieged, brought together by exquisite music performed in the name of hope.  The previously routine act of using water becomes an all-encompassing survival skill.  Some people gather together, others cannot communicate any longer.  This story was, in part, based on truth and the fiction was so well created that, ultimately, it's a story about living.  Parallels with Europe today are all too obvious: "As long as there's war, life is a preventative measure."