Lahko bi umrl na tem kavču z mano
(You Could Die on This Couch with Me) Book not yet available in English
Summary:
In the novel we meet Tomaž, Lija and Liam, the heroes of Trio Golaznikus series (The Pesky Trio), who have grown into up-and-coming teenagers. We follow them at the time just before the end of 9th grade, when they are haunted by the feeling that nothing will ever be the same again and that they will never sit at the same desks again. They face various challenges growing up – both at home and at school. The author leads them safely through the cliffhangers of the turning points in time and, in doing so, he has created a sincere and witty book, full of empathy and humour, which will delight young readers with its lively and interesting language. (source: publisher)
Edited by: Mestna knjižnica Ljubljana
Comment:
A coming-of-age novel, the work captures a turbulent period in a world that adults today can only partly understand. Readers first met the main characters years ago in the The Pesky Trio series (Trio Golaznikus), but now they are nearing the end of elementary school. They are complex and fleshed out, and Skubic deftly captures the way contemporary teenagers speak. The novel explores several issues — from peer violence and coping with divorce or illness to the exploration of sexual identity. The author approaches all of these themes with genuine seriousness, yet manages to do so without ever sounding preachy or wagging a moral finger. The third-person narrator who guides us through the story conveys a gentle wisdom, with listening ears, a shoulder to lean on, and a piece of advice or two, yet above all a recognition that they do not have all the answers. Another key dimension of the novel is its humour, most visible in the memes and other social media inserts. Yet their role goes beyond mere entertainment: they are an integral part of the characters’ world, a means through which problems can surface, be explored, and even discussed. The work has won the following awards: the Blue Bird Award, the Večernica Award, the Desetnica Award, as well as the Golden Pear Quality Badge.