In Adriana Dobrovic’s” Partners”, the writer draws attention to several different aspects of nationality, ethnicity and relationships that deal directly with one another. Dobrevic is herself a Bosnian woman, but the book is also aimed at discussing issues regarding nationality and gender for the benefit of those who are not Bosnian or Croatian. Although there is mention of various countries in this book, the focus is primarily on the matter of nationality when it comes to matters of age. Age is such a relevant issue because it allows the young and the old to be seen as whole, integrated entities. We often fail to see the many shades of identity that exist in combination with age. The focus of this book is on how these identity issues play out and on the different ways that people see themselves and their relation to the rest of the world.
Age and nationality do not necessarily go together, though some ways of looking at things do. At times, it can seem like nationality is being used to define certain boundaries where age simply ends and the new one begins. In this sense, the focus on older couples and their union being seen as a potential factor in the break down of a partnership should be examined more closely. The idea that two older men are failing to fulfill their duties to their partners, especially due to age, may serve as a catalyst for further insights into the idea of failing to fulfill obligations and a potential cause for a breakdown in a partnership.
There are other interesting aspects of this book as well. It explores the way that Bosnians and Croats see their historic pasts through the lens of contemporary art. This book shows that while Bosnians generally have positive views of their pasts, Croats tend to be more negative. While Dobrevic does not specifically address the effects of Croatian and Bosnian national pride on the relationship between their partners, this careful look into the differing opinions between both groups may shed light on why Bosnians and Croats are sometimes less accepting of each other than others.