Balerina, balerina
 | |
| Author | Marko Sosič |
|---|---|
| Language | Slovenian |
| Subject | Slovenian novel, 20th century, |
| Genre | novel |
| Publisher | Mladika publishing house |
Publication date | 1997 |
| Publication place |  Slovenia |
| Pages | 119 |
Balerina, balerina is a novel by Slovenian author Marko Sosič. first published in 1997.
The novel, set in the 1960s, follows a 15-year-old girl with intellectual differences, exploring her unique perspective on family, nature, and life in a Slovenian village. Recognized as a classic of contemporary Slovenian literature, it has been translated into multiple languages and selected for the 100 Slavic Novels project.[1]
Plot
Set in a Slovenian village during the 1960s, Ballerina, Ballerina centers on a 15-year-old girl nicknamed Ballerina for standing on tiptoes when distressed. Living with her family, she finds joy in observing nature, singing, and visits from her friend Ivan, despite her intellectual differences, which set her apart from peers. The novel contrasts her personal world, focused on family bonds, the seasons, and dreams, with global events like the moon landing and the Vietnam War, highlighting her unique perspective on what truly matters.[1]
Background and Reception
Written by Marko Sosič, a Trieste-born novelist and director, Ballerina, Ballerina draws on expressionistic techniques, often compared to William Faulkner, to depict the protagonist's inner world. Published by Beletrina in 1997, the 132-page novel has been translated into nine languages, including English, French, and Spanish, with rights sold to publishers in Argentina, Croatia, and the USA, among others. It was selected as one of the ten best Slovenian novels post-1989 and included in the 100 Slavic Novels project. The novel won the Vstajenje Award (1998) and Italian awards (Premio di Poesia e Narrativa Città di Salò and Premio Umberto Saba, 2005), and was shortlisted for the Kresnik Award (1998) and Premio Strega Europeo (2007).[1]
See also
References
- ^ a b c Beletrina, Založba (2017-01-01). "Marko Sosič: Balerina, Balerina". beletrina.com. Retrieved 2025-07-22.