There are a lot of Serbian modern writers who have followed in the footsteps of their famous predecessors.
It’s challenging to decide which book you should take first, since there are a lot of different topics, points of view and styles. Grabbing a book that has been popular for centuries or decades is a lot easier. On one hand, you already know what you can expect!
But, when it comes to modern writers, you must choose based on personal recommendations or go to the bookstore and start reading short summaries.
If you’re reading Serbian modern writers for the first time, the following list shows you the most popular Serbian authors currently.
Let’s start!
#1 Serbian Modern Writers: David Albahari (1948–2023)
Albahari is a major figure in Serbian modern literature. He mainly wrote short stories and novels, which have been translated into numerous languages. He also worked as a translator and was a member of SANU (Serbian Academy of Arts and Sciences).
His novel Mamac (The Bait) won the NIN Award* and the National Library of Serbia Award for bestseller. It is about a mother faced with tragic losses due to the impact of historical events. Even though they could destroy her, she could still live with open eyes, welcoming what life brought her.
His other novel, Gec i Majer (Götz and Meyer), discusses two real people and the Holocaust in Serbia. Albahari here relies on his imagination and a few scarce pieces of information about their activities and habits to describe the daily lives of two mass murderers. The novel’s central question is how long it takes for a man to lose all humanity due to loyalty to his job and nation.
Besides these novels, Albahari wrote more than twenty books, including short stories and essay collections.
* The official name is the Critics’ Award for Novel of the Year. It has been a tradition for 70 years and is awarded for the best novel published in the previous year.
#2 Serbian Modern Writers: Svetislav Basara (b. 1953)
Svetislav Basara is a Serbian writer who has written more than 40 literary works so far. His books are also well-known pieces that have won numerous awards.
Source: Laguna
His novel Fama o biciklistima (‘The Cyclist Conspiracy’) became a cult book. Many think that this is Basara’s best work. It blends conspiracy theories, historical figures, and dark humour.
#3 Serbian Modern Writers: Dragan Velikić (b. 1953)
This is another Serbian novelist and short story writer.
His most popular books, Ruski prozor (‘The Russian Window’) and Islednik (‘The Investigator’), were awarded the NIN prize.
‘The Russian Window’ consists of three parts and tells the story of Rudi Stupar and his destiny, who thinks about the present and recalls the past. The novel raises important human questions that will make the reader wonder along with the characters in the novel.
The central character of ‘The Investigator’ is the mother. This extremely emotional novel is considered by many to be the author’s best work.
#4 Serbian Modern Writers: Mirjana Bobić Mojsilović (b. 1959)
Mirjana Bobić Mojsilović’s novels focus on love, modern relationships, societal hypocrisy, and the dilemmas of middle-class women.
Her best-known novel, Dnevnik srpske domaćice (‘The Serbian Housewife’s Diary’), talks about the domestic life of women and social expectations. This novel has more than 50 issues so far and has been translated into many languages.
#5 Serbian Modern Writers: Jelena Lengold (b. 1959)
Jelena Lengold is a poet, journalist, and writer. As a journalist, she worked on a popular Serbian radio station, Radio Beograd, for a decade.
Her story collection Vašarski mađioničar (‘Fairground Magician’) won the EU Prize for Literature. It explores themes of love, passion, and psychology.
Lengold’s writing is usually intimate, focusing on women’s emotional experiences, relationships, and personal growth.
#6 Serbian Modern Writers: Vladimir Pištalo (b. 1960)
Vladimir is a Serbian author and American University professor. Currently, he is the director of the Serbian National Library.
His most awarded works are Tesla, portret među maskama (‘Tesla: A Portrait Among Masks’) and Venecija (‘Venezia’).
The novel about Tesla combines reality and imagination. This is a kind of biography of the greatest Serbian scientist, describing his ups and downs.
Venecija is considered the most personal author’s book, written in a particular manner.
#7 Serbian Modern Writers: Dejan Tiago Stanković (b. 1965)
Dejan Tiago Stanković lives in Lisbon and writes in both Serbian and Portuguese. His work stands out for its cross-cultural insight, wit, and human warmth.
In Estoril, his most popular novel, Stanković tells the story of a hotel in neutral Portugal during World War II, where spies and royalty intersect. The novel combines facts and fiction.
Stanković’s dual perspective, as an insider and outsider, allows him to explore themes of identity, migration, and the meaning of home.
#8 Serbian Modern Writers: Miodrag Majić (b. 1971)
Miodrag Majić recently became very popular because of his unique presence in Serbian literature. He is not only a novelist but also a respected judge.
His novels Ostrvo pelikana (‘Pelican Island’) and Deca zla (‘Children of Evil’) include different elements of legal thriller, philosophy, and psychological drama.
Majić’s works are intelligent and well-structured with protagonists caught in ethical dilemmas within a corrupt system. These novels also raise some timeless questions about conscience and responsibility.
His books are especially interesting to readers because of his insider’s view of the judiciary.
The Significance of Serbian Modern Writers
Serbian writers are increasingly gaining international recognition. Every author on this list has books translated into more than ten languages.
The good news is that every author has many more great literary works you can read and enjoy!
You can even choose a book in Serbian, find it translated into English, and read it simultaneously. But if this is too time-consuming for you, you can learn Serbian by choosing Serbian online lessons.
Once you master the Serbian language, don’t hesitate to grab some of these books and read them in their original publication!
