The Fall of the Stone City

In September 1943, German soldiers advance on the ancient gates of Gjirokaster, Albania. It isthe first step in a carefully planned invasion. But once at the mouth of the city, the troops aretaken aback by a surprising act of rebellion that leaves the citizens fearful of a bloodycounter-attack.
Soon rumours circulate, in cafes, houses and alleyways, that the Nazi Colonel in command of theGerman Army was once a school acquaintance of a local dignitary, Doctor Gurameto. In thetown square, Colonel von Schwabe greets his former classmate warmly; in return, DoctorGurameto invites him to dinner. The very next day, the Colonel and his army disappear from thecity.
The dinner at Gurameto's house changes the course of events in twentieth-century Europe. Butas the citizens celebrate their hero, a conspiracy surfaces which leads some to placeGurameto-and the stone city-at the heart of a plot to undermine Socialism.
Enigmatic and compelling, The Fall of the Stone City displays Ismail Kadare at the height of hisconsiderable powers.