A lively crowd of students, professors and friends filled the AAU Library on Thursday evening to celebrate the release of Professor Andrew Giarelli’s new book, The Lands Between, a story that blends news, history, and memoir of Central and Eastern Europe.
With nearly every chair occupied, the audience sipped wine and listened as Professor Seth Rogoff led the discussion, asking Giarelli questions about his writing style, travel experiences and personal life. Giarelli read several excerpts from the book, his language bringing the stories to life.
“It was so beautiful, because I felt like I was there,” said first-year student Josie Billings. “I felt that I was in the bar, in the train station. I felt like I was with him, experiencing all of these things.”
Giarelli spent over a decade writing The Lands Between which combines reportage and memoir to guide readers through his travels in Central and Eastern Europe, sharing his knowledge of the region’s history and culture.
From Prague to Trieste to Lviv, each chapter explores lesser-known histories and the unique people Giarelli met, often in hole-in-the-wall pubs while speaking in various Slavic languages.
“I would like the readers to get a sense of the region’s richness, in every way. Cultural and food, and also a kind of sad and horrifying richness. One of the things this region has had to learn is, we can forgive, but we can never forget,” said Giarelli.
Giarelli, a senior lecturer in journalism and literature, also reflected on how his reporting experience aided him in his travels, conversations and writing.
“I think I have the right way for a journalist to get people to open up. It’s kind of like a curiosity and an ability to not come on so strong or intimidating,” he said. “The other thing is, I have an obsessive interest in detail and getting things right. I am stubborn. I will keep on digging and digging until I feel like I understand.”
After an engaging Q&A session and a round of applause, the event ended, with the crowd lingering as the library closed, conversations still buzzing and the pitchers of wine empty.
The Lands Between can be purchased at Megabooks, Shakespeare and Synové, The Globe Bookstore and Knihupectví Spálená for 650 czk.
