Dežulović Wins tportal Award for Best Croatian Novel

Boris Dežulović, a prominent Croatian journalist and writer, has been awarded the tportal prize for the best Croatian novel for his work 'Who Is That Man.' The jury lauded the novel as a layered and intriguing narrative set against the backdrop of Hitler's 1923 Munich putsch, noting its ability to engage readers long after finishing.

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The jury praised the novel for its layered narrative, speculative fiction, and philosophical depth, set during Hitler's 1923 Munich putsch.

The award, which comes with a 15,000 euro prize, a specially designed sculpture, and an audiobook, was decided by a five-person jury. They highlighted Dežulović's skillful blend of speculative fiction, philosophical reflection, and thriller elements, exploring the idea of alternative history and the consequences of love and intervention.

Jury members emphasized that the novel, published by Ex Libris, transcends typical genre expectations. It moves beyond the author's known columnistic wit, showcasing significant literary ambition and extensive research. The jury noted that Dežulović uses the historical theme to reflect on contemporary global and local issues, questioning the origins of dictatorships and crises, as well as the potential for individual action.

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By exploiting the visionary possibilities of speculative fiction about the possibility of intervention in the past, Dežulović enriches the trivial genre with serious questions and established connections between different, sometimes unexpected and distant, artistic, scientific, psychological, and political phenomena.

'Who Is That Man' emerged victorious from 57 submitted titles, with eleven selected in the first round and five finalists. Dežulović, a co-founder of Feral Tribune, has previously authored novels like 'Christkind' and 'Jebo sad hiljadu dinara,' poetry collections, and essay books, establishing himself as a highly influential columnist in Croatia and the region.

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In short – this is not the expected man. Dežulović has succeeded in writing a work that allows us to reflect on our present, global and local, through a historical theme, and to question not only the circumstances in which dictatorships, crises, and wars arise but also the possibilities for action of each individual.