This is the new book that there has been so much hype and buzz about in the literary world.  Not only is it because it is indeed a very well written, interesting and rich story, but the author is only 25.  The author was born in what was known then as Yugoslavia, but has lived in the US since the age of 12.  The setting of the book is in the war-torn Balkans. The narrator is Natalia, a young physician who is on a goodwill medical mission to an orphanage. While on the mission she finds out her beloved grandfather has died.  She was raised in the same home as her grandparents and has many wonderful memories of times shared with her grandfather.  After she learns of his death she turns to the memories of the stories and legends and age-old superstitions that he told her when she was young.  One in particular is about a tiger that escaped from the zoo when the German bombs fell in 1941. The tiger’s story is fascinating as he wanders into the village of her grandfather’s youth and befriends a deaf-mute woman.  The book weaves in and out of the present, past memories, myths, legends and history of the Balkans.  What a great introduction to readers from such a talented young author.  We can look forward ( I hope) to many more wonderful books from Tea Obreht.  ~Cindy