Croatian translation of "Mexican Railways" hailed as imaginative literary achievement

Gian Marco Griffi's novel "Mexican Railways" is making waves following its Croatian translation, with critics hailing it as one of the most imaginative works of contemporary literature. The book, originally published in Italy in 2022, has garnered significant attention for its unique narrative structure and ambitious scope.

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Meksičke željeznice” razgranata su pripovjedna mreža u kojoj se isprepliću brojne sudbine, vremenske razine i pripovjedni glasovi. Autor spaja elemente povijesnog romana, znanstvenog teksta i magijskog realizma, neprestano prelazeći granicu između komičnog i tragičnog, stvarnog i apsurdnog

The novel weaves together historical fiction, scientific elements, and magical realism, creating a tapestry of intertwined destinies, temporal shifts, and diverse narrative voices. Griffi masterfully navigates the boundaries between the comical and the tragic, the real and the absurd, all while maintaining a surprising narrative lightness despite the story's complexity.

Set in February 1944 in Asti, northern Italy, the story centers on Cesco Magetti, a soldier in the railway guard of the Italian Social Republic. He receives a seemingly nonsensical order from Nazi officials: to create a detailed map of Mexico's railway network. Plagued by a toothache and with no knowledge of Mexico, his quest transforms into a surreal adventure of life and death.

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jednog od najmaštovitijih djela suvremene književnosti

Critics have noted Griffi's homage to literary giants like Jorge Luis Borges, Roberto Bolaña, and Juan Rulfo, while simultaneously forging a distinct literary world. "Mexican Railways" is celebrated for its grand, opulent storytelling, memorable characters, and linguistic virtuosity, marking Griffi as a significant new voice in Italian and European literature.

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u vremenu dominacije autofikcije i minimalističkih obiteljskih priča, vraća velikom, raskošnom pripovijedanju ispunjenom nezaboravnim likovima i jezičnom virtuoznošću.