Vera Mutafčieva. Poslednite Šišmanovci

World Literature Today (1981) Vol. 55, No. 1

Long before the “search for roots” became popular in the United States, the Bulgarians practiced it in their scholarship as well as in their art. A vehicle in the Bulgarian search for roots has been the historical novel, a very popular genre in contemporary Bulgarian literature. Vera Mutafchieva, the daughter of Petur Stoyanov Mutafchiev (1883-1943), a prominent Bulgarian historian, has greatly contributed to the popularization of this literary genre. Mutafchieva (b. 1929) demonstrated her interest in Bulgarian history at an early age. She studied history at thye University of Sofia, and her dissertation is on a subject in that field. In the period 1952-79 she published some fifty studies and monographs on historical topics. However, her fascination with Bulgarian literature was equally as strong as her interests in her nation’s history. Thus, figuratively speaking, she decided to serve two masters at the same time. In 1961 Mutafchieva published Geroichna letopis (The Heroic Chronicle)*, her first literary work on a historical subject. The success of this work encouraged her to continue writing literary works employing historical themes and motifs. In the period 1961-79 she has published several historical novels and collections of short stories, one of the most popular being the novel Poslednite Šišmanovci (The Last of the Shishmans), first published in 1969 and reissued in 1975. Mutafchieva’s historical novels usually have a central hero, but about the past glory and suffering of the Bulgarian nation. Characteristic of these novels is the interpolation of actual and/or fictional historical records written in the manner and a style of medieval chronicles. Stylistically, these interpolated texts are different from the narration presented by the third-person omniscient narrator. On the other hand, these “historical records’ are a significant factor in creating an illusion of reality. Telling rather than showing is characteristic of Mutafchieva’s narrative method in The Last of the Shishmans. Dialogues are scarce and brief. A multitude of characters figure in the novel, yet the principle narrator introduces them and tells about them, their own voice being barely audible. Personal and historical conflicts, individual and national tragedy, are all contained in this novel. Its setting is the historical period of the decline and fall of the Bulgarian Empire, 1373-96, fictionally extended to 1444. Mutafchieva’s ability to re-create the details, tone and atmosphere of this historical setting is admirable. Her professional interest in and her familiarity with the history of Bulgaria, along with her creative talent, are felicitous combination contributing to the high quality of her historical novels. One must admit that she is one of the few persons who has been able to serve two masters faithfully and simultaneously: history and literature. Mateja Matejič Ohio State University * The following historical essays are referred to: Early Uprisings Against the Turkish Rule. (1960) Bibliotheka Geroichna letopis, year I, No 7; The Great Struggle (1961) Ibid., year II, No 10 [about the fall of the Second Bulgarian kingdom]; The Time of the Kyrdzhalis. (1962) Ibid., year III, No 3; A Tale of Good and Evil. (1963) Ibid., year IV, No 3 [on Bogomilism]; To Be Known!... (1964) Ibid., year V, No 5. – Note of R.M.