Reading List for Croatian Book Day
On this day in 1501 Marko Marulić – Father of Croatian Literature – finished Judita, the first epic poem in Croatian language. In memory of that milestone in Croatian culture, here is a list of some great works written by Croatian authors which I wholeheartedly recommend. Whether you seek translations to delve into Croatian culture or wish to immerse yourself in the originals to help you learn the language, these picks are a great option.
August Šenoa, Zlatarovo zlato (The Goldsmith’s treasure)
Dive into the first Croatian historical novel, a tale set in 16th century Zagreb. This captivating narrative delves into the layers of Zagreb's society, centered around the forbidden love between a nobleman and the goldsmith's daughter, Dora. While the original language may be archaic, English translations allow readers to stroll the ancient streets of Zagreb alongside Dora and Pavao.
Whichever book you choose, remember to take notes, but only if it’s your book. 😊 This is my Judita and my notes, which helped me analyze the work. It's ok to write your thoughts and they will help you next time you open the same book.
Miro Gavran, Zaboravljeni sin (Forgotten Son)
Experience the emotional journey of a young man grappling with mental health challenges as he discovers love for the first time. With its heartfelt message and straightforward language, this poignant novella serves as an excellent tool for Croatian language learners, with English translations available for those just starting out.
Kristijan Novak, Črna Mati Zemla (Dark Mother Earth)
Explore the novel about growing up, fighting fears, building identity, and so much more. The story is set in a fictional village in the beautiful Međimurje region, in the north of Croatia. It brings to life many folk stories of this region and represents authentic dialect. The original is best suited for advanced learners interested in Croatian dialects. However, even beginners can gain insight into the culture through the translation, which remains intriguing.
Renato Baretić, Osmi povjerenik (The Eight Commissioner)
For all of those who love Croatian islands, the novel The Eight Commissioner offers a window into the intricacies of island life. Located in the fictional island it brings you to, on the outside, the very simple life of a Croatian island, but watched closely, it gives you an insight into the complexity of life in this community and its unique language. As with the Dark Mother Earth, I would recommend the original only to advanced students but don’t mind reading a translation and getting a great insight into another layer of Croatian culture even if you are just starting to learn.
Tin Ujević, Thirteen Poems
There are truly many Croatian poets, but if you are looking for a translation that could help you compare the original language with the translation, that’s a difficult task. Unfortunately, there are not many available, and at the same time well-established translations of Croatian poets. This translation by R. Berengarten and D. Marić of selected poems you can easily compare to originals and you can use it to build up your vocabulary.
Ivana Brlić-Mažuranić, Priče iz davnine (Tales of long ago)
Ivana Brlić-Mažuranić is called The Mother of Croatian Fairy-tales and Croatian Andersen or Croatian Tolkien. Her work written for children today represents a bit archaic language but it’s still a good option for learning Croatian, especially if you are reading her original works compared to translations. The great news is that the museum dedicated to her and to story-telling offers many of her works and translations of works for free: https://baza.ivaninakucabajke.hr/hr/. Remember to visit them the next time you are in Croatia, you will be amazed!
Enjoy and feel free to email me about your feedback!
