Miran Lipovaca

Miran Lipovaca is an acclaimed Yugoslav-born novelist and essayist best known for his novels Lecturing Birds on Flying, Rebar, and So Much as If It Were True. A prolific and celebrated author, Lipovaca has penned works that have garnered numerous awards and accolades. His works have been translated into dozens of languages, and his writing has been recognized and celebrated in both Europe and America.

Born in Croatia in 1958, Lipovaca grew up amidst the growing tensions that plagued the Balkan region. Since then, he has described his work as a form of personal therapy, stating that his novels and stories provide him with an opportunity to express his emotions, as well as to explore issues and topics of concern to him. His writing style combines both the intimate and the political, presenting his protagonists as they struggle with their inner struggles, as well as with the external forces that threaten them.

Lipovaca’s first novel, Lecturing Birds on Flying, is the story of two young men who, after being arrested for their involvement in a political protest, are sent to prison. The novel deals with the difficulties of their incarceration and how it affects their lives, their relationships and the community at large. Rebar, his second novel, is the story of two generations of Bosnian-Croatian immigrants and their struggles to build a new life in a new land. It follows their journey as they try to make a better life for themselves and their children.

So Much as If It Were True is the third novel in Lipovaca’s series and is set during the Roma nomads struggle against the oppressive communist regime in former Yugoslavia. It follows a young Roma couple’s journey as they try to find a way to survive while also following their dreams. The novel deals with the themes of resilience and the power of hope in the face of monstrous oppression.

In addition to his novels, Lipovaca has written a number of short stories and essays. His 2004 collection, At the End of the Lost Century, contains stories set in Croatia and Bosnia, as well as essays that explore his childhood and his experiences as a refugee. His 2010 collection, Coping with the Wounded Heart, is a collection of essays exploring his views on politics, war, and love. Another collection titled Pages of the Unseen was released in 2017, and is a collection of essays reflecting on memory, history, and identity.

Lipovaca’s works have been universally praised for their insight and portrayal of marginalized voices, and his works have earned him a dedicated fan base. He has won numerous awards, including the International PEN Assessment Award, the Croatian State Award for Literature, and the Dr. Damir Marinic Literature Prize. He is also a member of the Academy of Western Slavonic Literature.

For readers interested in exploring the themes and topics presented in Miran Lipovaca's works, his novels and essays provide a unique opportunity to gain insight into the region's history and culture, as well as the development of today’s Balkan countries. Lipovaca's works are an engaging and interesting read, and are sure to leave an imprint on its readers.