Ćrtice
(Short Stories) Book not yet available in English
Summary:
In her debut novel, Tina Perić tackles a difficult topic, namely the Erased, and though every sentence packs an emotional punch, it’s not a bitter read. A bureaucratic stroke of the pen, referred to simply as “the paperwork issue” during the protagonist’s childhood, did not merely erase Mija’s father from the register of permanent residents, strip him of his right to work, and deprive him of all legal rights, but in a way, it almost erased him from her life as well. Luckily, not for good. (Dr. Milica Antić Gaber)
Edited by: Mestna knjižnica Ljubljana
Comment:
A novel about Mija and her family delves into the experience of having been erased. The issue, however, is never discussed – neither within the family nor in society at large. Mija’s story offers a glimpse into the often-overlooked side of Slovenian independence and the breakup of Yugoslavia, using humour to challenge preconceived notions of social reality. In a first for Slovenian literature, the book presents the story of the Erased and the formation of a new state from a child’s perspective — a girl who grows into adolescence and eventually a grown woman. At first, she doesn’t understand concepts like citizenship, borders, or why the number of tiny strokes on the last letter of her surname matters, but over time she comes to grasp the full weight of what they signify. (source: publisher)