Con brio (novel)
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| Author | Brina Švigelj-Mérat (Brina Svit) |
|---|---|
| Language | Slovenian |
| Genre | Love novel, satirical elements |
| Publisher | Tiskovna zadruga (1997, serialized); Nova revija (1998, book) |
Publication date | 1998 |
| Publication place |  Slovenia |
| Media type | Print (paperback), serialized in Literatura |
| Pages | 172 |
| ISBN | 9616017624 |
Con brio is a novel by Slovenian author Brina Švigelj-Mérat (writing as Brina Svit). It was first published in 1998.[1][2][3]
Plot
The novel follows Tibor, a Hungarian writer living in Paris and a divorcee who believes he understands women, until he meets Grušenjka, a Slovenian woman he renames Katarina (Kati). Despite knowing nothing about her, he impulsively proposes, and the young beauty agrees to marry the much older man, who has already concluded he is unfit for marriage. She imposes one condition: no questions. Tibor strives to control his passions, but Kati manipulates him, showing indifference. The story is narrated retrospectively by Tibor, blending memory with imagined chapters, as he grapples with unfulfilled desires. Kati, much younger, seeks her own freedom, leading to the collapse of Tibor’s hopes for a traditional marital bond.[4][3] The novel has received mixed but thoughtful reviews. Robert Wechsler praised its beautiful writing and translation, highlighting the lead character’s humiliation. Juliet noted the exceptional prose but found the one-sided perspective challenging. Urh likened it to a fable of a fox and a dog, while Anand Charles enjoyed its relatable events. Vilis appreciated the lush descriptions but felt the larger narrative lacked cohesion.[5]
Themes and Style
Con Brio explores themes of longing, love, and the failure of emotional connection, with a satirical undertone. The narrative reflects Tibor’s humiliating experience through a matter-of-fact voice, noted for its lush prose and innovative style. The language captures Kati’s resistance and Tibor’s unfulfilled expectations, with some chapters acknowledged as fictional by the narrator.[5]
See also
References
- ^ Švigelj Mérat, Brina. (1998). Con Brio. Zbirka Samorog. Ljubljana: Nova revija. ISBN 978-961-6017-62-6.
- ^ Parker, Adele; Young, Stephenie, eds. (2013). Transnationalism and Resistance: Experience and Experiment in Women’s Writing. Rodopi. p. 198. ISBN 978-94-012-0890-1.
- ^ a b "Con Brio". Goodreads. Retrieved 2025-07-25.
- ^ "dLib.si - Con brio". www.dlib.si. Retrieved 2025-07-25.
- ^ a b "Con brio - Dobre knjige" (in Slovenian). Retrieved 2025-07-25.