Written by: Milica Bokšan
There are numerous Serbian writers whose works are more than worth reading.
Here, we will mention just a few of them and recommend some Serbian books by each of the writers mentioned.
Be prepared for not-so-light books!
These Serbian books have many different meanings, so every time you return to them, you can be sure that you will find out, understand, or learn something completely new.
And that is a characteristic of most important writers, do you agree?
#1 Serbian Writers: Stevan Sremac (1855 – 1906)
Stevan Sremac was one of the most important Serbian writers. His work belongs to the literal direction called Realizam (= Realism).
He is most famous for his humour and representing people with all their vritues i flaws in a charming way.
Maybe you remember that we already mentioned Stevan Sremac and his work when discussing Serbian dialects.
What to read by Stevan Sremac?
- Pop Ćira i Pop Spira
- Zona Zamfirova
- Ivkova slava
Source: Klasik
Important: If your Serbian is not yet at a high level, leave reading books written in Serbian dialects (except šumadijsko-vojvođanski) until you have mastered Serbian completely! But, hurry up with learning because these books show Serbian people in a funny and interesting way.
#2 Serbian Writers: Radoje Domanović (1873 – 1908)
Radoje Domanović was one of the most important Serbian satiric writers.
He worked as a professor of the Serbian language and was persecuted and fired from his job because of his political beliefs.
Domanović is courageous in his writing, and the way he writes about various topics (such as power) is intelligent and provocative.
He was extremely talented, and he became the founder of srpska satirična pripovetka (= Serbian satiric short story).
What you should read by Radoje Domanović?
- Vođa (= The Leader)
- Danga
- Mrtvo more (= The Dead Sea)
- Stradija
#3 Serbian Writers: Isidora Sekulić (1877 – 1958)
Source: Wikipedia
Isidora Sekulić was the first woman admitted to SASA. Many men opposed this because they did not like the idea of a woman being a member of the Academy.
Still, Isidora was proposed as a member by Bogdan Popović, a famous literary critic whose opinion was not questioned.
Isidora was highly educated and spoke seven languages. In addition to being a writer and a professor, she was a huge protector of women’s rights and a member of many women’s organizations.
It is known that she gathered her friends, Belgrade thinkers and artists, for tea on Thursdays at five o’clock.
She lived modestly and didn’t want to be in the spotlight.
What to read by Isidora Sekulić?
- Pisma iz Norveške (= Letters from Norway)
- Saputnici (= Companions)
- Đakon Bogorodičine crkve (= The Deacon of the Notre Dame Church)
#4 Serbian Writers: Ivo Andrić (1892 – 1975)
Ivo Andrić is still the only Serbian Nobel laureate (although he received the award in 1961 during the Kingdom of Yugoslavia’s existence).
It’s important to mention that people often think he received the award for his book Na Drini Ćuprija (= The Bridge On the Drina), but the award was for his entire literary work.
Back in high school, Andrić was a member of the advanced revolutionary movement against Austro-Hungarian rule, ‘Mlada Bosna’ (= Young Bosnia), and a passionate fighter for the liberation of the South Slavic peoples from the Austro-Hungarian monarchy.
Source: Komuna
Later, he lived in numerous European cities and was a member of the ’Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts’, the highest institution of this type in Serbia.
What to read by Ivo Andrić?
- Na Drini ćuprija (= The Bridge on the Drina)
- Znakovi pored puta (= Signs by the Roadside)
- Prokleta avlija (= The Damned Yard)
- O priči i pričanju (= About the Story and The Storytelling)
#5 Serbian Writers: Miloš Crnjanski (1893 – 1977)
Miloš Crnjanski is counted among the 100 most famous Serbs.
He was a Serbian writer, literary critic, journalist and professor.
During the First World War, he was mobilized into the ranks of the Austro-Hungarian army. The war and its consequences left a great impression on him, also evident in his works.
In his novels, he deals with great human topics such as the meaning of life and other internal human struggles.
What to read by Miloš Crnjanski?
- Seobe (= Migrations)
- Dnevnik o Čarnojeviću (= A Diary of Čarnojević)
- Roman o Londonu (= A Novel of London)
#6 Serbian Writers: Danilo Kiš (1935 – 1989)
Kiš, like Andrić, was a member of SASA. He wrote numerous works, and received also numerous awards and recognitions.
Today, one of the literary awards is named after Danilo.
The ’Danilo Kiš’ prize is awarded at the Faculty of Philology in Belgrade, at the Department of General Literature and Literary Theory, for the best seminar and master’s thesis.
Source: Youth Vibes
What to read by Danilo Kiš?
- Rani jadi: Za decu i osetljive (= Early Sorrows: For Children and Sensitive Readers)
- Grobnica za Borisa Davidoviča (= A Tomb for Boris Davidovich)
- Peščanik (= Hourglass)
#7 Serbian Writers: Borislav Pekić (1930 – 1992)
Borislav Pekić is one of the most important Serbian writers of the 20th century. He was also a critic and film screenwriter.
He had a very turbulent life marked by political circumstances. At one point, he was even declared as persona non grata in Yugoslavia.
Nevertheless, his work is very important. Besides receiving numerous awards and being a member of the SASA, his novel Zlatno runo has been compared by critics to James Joyce’s ’Ulysses’ and Thomas Mann’s ’Buddenbrooks’.
What to read by Borislav Pekić?
- Vreme čuda (= Time of Miracles)
- Zlatno runo (= The Golden Fleece)
- Besnilo (= Rabies)
#8 Serbian Writers: Dobrica Ćosić (1921 – 2014)
Dobrica Ćosić was a Serbian writer, politician and the first president of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.
In addition to receiving numerous national awards for literature, he was also a three-time candidate for the Nobel Prize.
In his works, he dealt with war events and experiences, divisions among the people, the Serbian mentality, and other topics.
What to read by Dobrica Ćosić?
- Koreni (= Roots)
- Deobe (= Divisions)
- Vreme smrti (= A Time of Death)
- Vreme vlasti (= A Time of Authority)
Serbian Book Events
The most popular literary event in Serbia is the international book fair in Belgrade. Over 60 book fairs have been held in Serbia so far.
The Book Fair allows all book lovers to gather in one prominent place, meet their favorite contemporary authors, and find some great works.
Source: BN TV
In addition to the book fair, literary evenings, recital sections, and other similar events are organized in all cities and schools in Serbia.
More popular writers rent entire halls when it’s time to promote their books and are guests in cultural programs.
For a long time, people considered that there was not enough of this type of content on Serbian television, so now social networks are one of the main channels where contemporary writers communicate with their readers.
What Can You Learn From Serbian Writers?
Reading books of Serbian literature can help you learn a lot about Serbian history, culture, characteristics and mentality of Serbian people.
Not to mention that reading Serbian books in the original script also teaches you the Serbian language.
All of these writers, among many others, left more than significant marks in Serbian and world literature.
Considering this, it is not surprising that many of their works have been translated into numerous languages!
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