Plot Summary

Black Lamb and Grey Falcon

Rebecca West
Guide cover placeholder

Black Lamb and Grey Falcon

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1941

Book Brief

Rebecca West

Black Lamb and Grey Falcon

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1941
Book Details
Pages

1181

Format

Book • Nonfiction

Setting

Balkans • 1930s

Publication Year

1941

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

Black Lamb and Grey Falcon by Rebecca West is a 1941 travel memoir recounting six weeks spent in the former Yugoslavia in 1937, blending travel narrative with history and ethnography to illustrate the interconnectedness of lives and events. West, accompanied by her husband, explores Croatia, Dalmatia, Herzegovina, Bosnia, Serbia, Macedonia, and Montenegro, examining their histories, cultures, and contemporary socio-political landscapes. The book discusses war, political conflict, oppressive regimes, male supremacy, and animal sacrifices.

Informative

Mysterious

Contemplative

Emotional

Nostalgic

Reviews & Readership

4.3

2,945 ratings

81%

Loved it

13%

Mixed feelings

7%

Not a fan

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

Rebecca West's Black Lamb and Grey Falcon is widely praised for its rich, immersive narrative and insightful socio-political commentary on the Balkans. Critics laud its masterful prose and depth of historical knowledge. However, some find it overly dense and meandering at times. Notably, it remains a seminal work in travel literature and an enduring reflection on Eastern Europe.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Black Lamb and Grey Falcon?

Readers who enjoy immersive travelogues, histories, and cultural analyses will find Black Lamb and Grey Falcon compelling. Fans of nuanced exploration found in The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova or the historical depth of The Balkan Trilogy by Olivia Manning will appreciate Rebecca West's intricate narrative and vivid depiction of the Balkans.

4.3

2,945 ratings

81%

Loved it

13%

Mixed feelings

7%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

1181

Format

Book • Nonfiction

Setting

Balkans • 1930s

Publication Year

1941

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Buy This Book

We’re just getting started

Add this title to our list of requested Study Guides!