Carolyn,

I ordered this book last week through Amazon.com.uk. I got an email that the author would be shipping me the book on Sept. 22.
I'm surprised the book was such a downer since the title suggests that Bulgaria might be different (in a positive way) than the rest of the Balkans (ie Bosnia, Serbia, Kosovo) since this region usually gets a bad rap as being a crazy, primeval place.
That being said, I think I can identify with Helen's (above poster) comment as Bulgaria (especially Sofia) has changed a lot in the past few years. But a lot hasn't changed in the countryside. Although I loved my town (Zavet) and the people, it's not a happy place at all. Pessimism permeated everything there. That's why even though Bulgaria is in the EU, aid organizations such as Peace Corps are still very busy throughout the country.