2025 - (Mar/Apr) Croatia - On the Edge of Reason

[Orgeluse, Contemporary reads]

Hi all!

You can use this thread to comment on and exchange your views on our classic literature pick On the Edge of Reason by Miroslav Krleža.

[Armin]

Hi.
I have this book a long time on my TBR list, so I guess this is a good motivation to start reading it :)

[Orgeluse, Contemporary reads]

Armin wrote: "Hi.
I have this book a long time on my TBR list, so I guess this is a good motivation to start reading it :)"

Motivation to read is the key purpose of this group :-)

[Erin]

What do you think so far? The edition I got through interlibrary loan is printed on nice thick quality paper that hasn’t yellowed in the nearly fifty years since its printing — oh how I wish I could buy all my favorite classics in such quality!

As to the story itself, moving slowly through chapter 1 yet as it’s kind of dull, which seems to be the point, yet I can’t help but compare it to Notes From Underground, also about a middle-aged man who considers himself to have accomplished nothing, but much more interesting in his rants…

[Erin]

In chapter 2, but struggling with this… It might be the translation — several reviewers on Amazon have derided the English translation, one with illustrative examples, but there is only the one option (by Zora Depolo). I suspect there are also references that I am not getting, which would make this humorous instead of tedious…

I am sorry to be negative, and I hope that others have a better reading experience!

[Jen]

Oh man, that's unfortunate, Erin. The synopsis sounded so interesting to me! But I appreciate the honest review. It's upsetting we don't have another option in English. It would be great to hear some perspectives from others, especially if anyone is reading it in another language.
I guess if I find time, I'll lean toward the other group read, Hair Everywhere which also sounded interesting...

[Orgeluse, Contemporary reads]

Erin wrote: "In chapter 2, but struggling with this… It might be the translation — several reviewers on Amazon have derided the English translation, one with illustrative examples, but there is only the one opt..."

Thanks, Erin, for the honest opinion of this title, it is much appreciated! I have the feeling the smaller the countries on our list, the more tricky it will become to find (good) translations into English. We will see how this develops...

[Orgeluse, Contemporary reads]

Jen wrote: "Oh man, that's unfortunate, Erin. The synopsis sounded so interesting to me! But I appreciate the honest review. It's upsetting we don't have another option in English. It would be great to hear so..."

From my experience, Istros has good translations.