by Alex Család
It’s a question I often ask myself: who would be drawn to my book? The answer is — more people than you might think.
It is not an easy book to classify. It is not a typical love story. It is not a typical migrant story. It is not a typical adventure. It is all of these — and much more.
At its heart, this is a true story of love that defied time and distance. It is also the story of a young man — me — who fled communist Yugoslavia with nothing in his pockets and no knowledge of the English language, chasing a dream that seemed impossible. I arrived in Australia with hope, determination, and the memory of a lost love I could never quite let go of.
Who might find this book speaks to them?
1. Emigrants and refugees
Those who fled communist regimes, or any oppressive system, will recognise the fear, the uncertainty, and the strange mix of hope and loss that filled our days in the refugee camps of Trieste, Padriciano, and Latina. You may even find familiar faces in these pages — people we met along the way, people whose names we never forgot.
2. Music lovers and 1960s dreamers
My journey is deeply tied to music. From the first chords of Apache by The Shadows to the concerts we gave in jail — yes, like Johnny Cash, I played for the inmates, though I was one of them! Music shaped my rebellion, my friendships, and the way I saw the world. If you love the spirit of the 1960s — the sounds, the struggles, and the freedom it promised — you’ll feel at home here.
3. Rebels and free spirits
I were a rebel without a clear cause — driven by passion, stubbornness, and a hunger for life. My Army days show this side well: disobeying orders, escaping the base just to swim in the sea, and learning hard lessons about freedom and responsibility. If you’ve ever fought against the rules, this part of my story will speak to you.
4. Honest seekers of life stories
I did not write this book to polish my image. It is honest — sometimes painfully so. I do not hide my mistakes, my selfish acts, my regrets. You will see me grow as a man, stumble, and rise again. Many readers have told me this is what makes the book feel so human, so real.
5. Those interested in business and life’s ups and downs
With only basic education, I climbed into the world of business, tasted success, and faced decline. Life taught me more than any classroom could. Readers who enjoy stories of perseverance and resilience (though I dislike that word — it is really about trying and trying again) will find something here.
6. Romantic souls and believers in destiny
Above all, this is a love story. A love that seemed impossible, that was interrupted by borders, wars, and decades — but somehow found its way back. If you believe that some loves never die, and that life can surprise you even when you think all is lost — this story was written for you.
In the end, this is a book for anyone who believes that life is an unpredictable journey — sometimes painful, sometimes joyful — and that love, hope, and the human spirit can endure across time and continents.
I hope you will find your own reflection somewhere in its pages.
👉 To learn more, visit: www.thediaryofparallelserendipity.com
