Robert Madrygin’s debut novel, The  Solace of Trees (New Europe Books), narrates the story of a Bosnian War orphan of Muslim descent who escapes the horrors of his war-torn country to the U.S., only to soon find himself, in time, plunged into more trauma here.

“In Madrygin’s gripping debut, the horrors of war give way to the challenges of carving out a life in a hostile country. . . Madrygin’s stark third-person narration allows focus on the difficulties faced by immigrants and refugees, particularly children who are struggling with trauma.” — Publishers Weekly.

“Using firm, quiet language to agonizing and ultimately infuriating effect, debut novelist Madrygin tells an important story, revisiting the raw and ugly violence that descended on the Balkans with the splintering of Yugoslavia while also capturing the refugee’s experience in America, trying to recover from horror…. Powerful, eye-opening reading for everyone.”  —Barbara Hoffert,  Library Journal.