Sons, daughters
ABOUT
THE BOOK
In the vein of majestic works such as Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides, the power of Ivana Bodrožić’s new novel is the ability to convey the experience of being locked in: socially, domestically, and intimately, told through three different perspectives. This is a story of hidden gay and trans relationships, the effects of a near-fatal accident, and an oppressed childhood, in which Ivana Bodrožić tackles the issues addressed in her previous works—issues of otherness, identity and gender, pain and guilt, injustice and violence.
The original Croatian edition of Sons, Daughters (Sinovi, kćeri) by Ivana Bodrožić was published by Hermes Publishing (Naklada Ljevak or Hermes) in 2020
ABOUT
THE TRANSLATOR Ellen
Elias-Bursac
Ellen Elias-Bursać has been translating novels and nonfiction by Bosnian, Croatian, and Serbian writers since the 1980s, including Daša Drndic, Dubravka Ugrešic, Ivana Bodrožic, and Robert Perišić. Her translation of David Albahari’s novel Götz and Meyer won the National Translation Award, given by the American Literary Translators Association, in 2006. A past president of the American Literary Translators Association, she has taught at the Harvard Slavic Department and Tufts University, and spent over six years at the ex-Yugoslav War Crimes Tribunal in The Hague as a translator.
Ellen Elias-Bursać has been translating novels and nonfiction by Bosnian, Croatian, and Serbian writers since the 1980s, including Daša Drndic, Dubravka Ugrešic, Ivana Bodrožic, and Robert Perišić. Her translation of David Albahari’s novel Götz and Meyer won the National Translation Award, given by the American Literary Translators Association, in 2006. A past president of the American Literary Translators Association, she has taught at the Harvard Slavic Department and Tufts University, and spent over six years at the ex-Yugoslav War Crimes Tribunal in The Hague as a translator.
NOMINATING LIBRARY COMMENTS
Ivana Bodrožić’s novel is a compelling exploration of the human condition. The narrative deftly interweaves the stories of three protagonists—a paralyzed daughter, a transgender son, and a mother oppressed by societal norms—each confronting the burdens of patriarchy and identity. Bodrožić’s poignant storytelling and keen insight into themes of otherness, gender, and resilience create a profound and unforgettable reading experience. This novel stands out for its emotional depth, narrative complexity, and powerful social commentary.