Baba_Yaga_laid_an_egg_Ugresic
2011 Nominated

Baba Yaga Laid an Egg

artwork-image

ABOUT
THE BOOK

Baba Yaga is an old hag who lives in a house built on chicken legs and kidnaps small children. She is one of the most pervasive and powerful creatures in all mythology. She appears in many forms: as Pupa, a tricky, cantankerous old woman who keeps her legs tucked into a huge furry boot; as a trio of mischievous elderly women who embark on the trip of a lifetime to a hotel spa; and as a villainous flock of ravens, black hens and magpies infected with the H5N1 virus. But what story does Baba Yaga have to tell us today?

ABOUT
THE AUTHOR Dubravka
Ugrešić

Dubravka Ugrešić is the winner of several major literary prizes including the Austrian State Prize for European Literature 1998 and Neustadt International Prize for Literature 2016 and finalist of Man Booker International Prize 2009. Ugresic lives in Amsterdam.

Dubravka Ugrešić is the winner of several major literary prizes including the Austrian State Prize for European Literature 1998 and Neustadt International Prize for Literature 2016 and finalist of Man Booker International Prize 2009. Ugresic lives in Amsterdam.

ABOUT
THE TRANSLATOR Celia
Hawkesworth

ABOUT
THE TRANSLATOR Mark
Thompson

ABOUT
THE TRANSLATOR Ellen
Elias-Bursac

ELLEN ELIAS-BURSAĆ translates fiction and nonfiction from Bosnian, Croatian, and Serbian. She has taught in the Harvard University Slavic Department and is a contributing editor to Asymptote. She has translated all of Ivana Bodrožić’s books for Seven Stories along with Robert Perisic’s novel No-Signal Area. She lives in Boston.

ELLEN ELIAS-BURSAĆ translates fiction and nonfiction from Bosnian, Croatian, and Serbian. She has taught in the Harvard University Slavic Department and is a contributing editor to Asymptote. She has translated all of Ivana Bodrožić’s books for Seven Stories along with Robert Perisic’s novel No-Signal Area. She lives in Boston.

NOMINATING LIBRARY COMMENTS

The author tells an insightful, intelligent and sometimes humorous story that brings alive the ancient myth of female emancipation- authentic Slavic tradition but universally applicable.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Country
Croatia
Original Language
Croatian
Publisher
Canongate US
Translator
Ellen Elias-Bursac, Celia Hawkesworth, Mark Thompson

RELATED FEATURES

Video April 7 2026

The 2026 Shortlist

Discover this year's Dublin Literary Award Shortlist
News April 7 2026

2026 Dublin Literary Award Shortlist is Announced

Delve into the 6 novels shortlisted this year.
News April 2 2026

Past Winner Spotlight: Michael Crummey

Reflecting on his 2025 Dublin Literary Award win with his novel 'The Adversary', libraries, literature and more.
News March 11 2026

Translator Spotlight: Jo Heinrich

Reflecting on translating the 2023 winning novel 'Marzahn, Mon Amour' and life as a literary translator.

STAY CONNECTED

Stay in touch and sign up to our newsletter to receive all the latest news and updates on the Dublin Literary Award.