Literature of Croatia: October 2022
Dobrodošli readers,
This is our monthly discussion of the literature of the world! Every Wednesday, we'll post a new country or culture for you to recommend literature from, with the caveat that it must have been written by someone from that there (i.e. Shogun by James Clavell is a great book but wouldn't be included in Japanese literature).
October is Independence Day in Croatian and, to celebrate, we're discussing Croatian literature! Please use this thread to discuss your favorite Croatian literature and authors.
If you'd like to read our previous discussions of the literature of the world please visit the literature of the world section of our wiki.
Hvala vam and enjoy!
Most folks would say to start here:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Return_of_Philip_Latinowicz
By far my favorite is this one:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6597855-kiklop
But unfortunately, I don't think an English translation is available.
I'm so happy to find this post and the link to the other sub.
My reading goal for next year is to start my journey to reading both fiction and nonfiction books from 195 countries. With nearly 400 books, I expect this to take me several years, and I know some countries will be more of a challenge than others.
I have read some Croatian works. Let me see. On the Edge of Reason by Miroslav Krleža. That was a funny, dark read about shadowy politics, reminded me of Kafka. Very ironic. I really enjoyed it.
One author I have not read yet, but who is on my reading list, is Daša Drndić. I was recommended her because I like W.G. Sebald. I have a couple of her novels, just haven't read yet.
Oh, and I read Ivo Andrić, "The Bridge on the Drina," but does that count? He was born in Bosnia to Croat parents I think.
Mother of Learning is a fantasy series written by Domagoj Kurmaić.
Essentially it's high fantasy mixed with Groundhog Day (Or month rather), and while that might sound repetitive it really isn't. You come to look forward to when the scene will repeat because it reveals so much about the characters involved.
Motivations that lead to the actions seem obvious in retrospect, but since we see the world through the main characters eye the hints are glossed over as he focuses on other things due to his biases. The fact that one character is extremely self conscious about their lack of progress in life is right there in the text in the very first meeting, and is hinted at pretty much every meeting afterwards, but it takes until the third book before the main character (and most readers on their first read) to realize.
Anyway, point is, the books are great if you care about character growth. The action is nice as well, but that's not why I read.
For anyone interested in topics like feminism, communism or post-communism (or how communism and post-communism made impact on croatian society) I would recommend to check Slavenka Drakulić:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slavenka_Drakuli%C4%87
She has books that are translated to English, fiction and non-fiction.
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