Camera obscura (novel)
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| Author | Nejc Gazvoda |
|---|---|
| Language | Slovenian |
| Publisher | Založba Goga |
Publication date | 2006 |
| Publication place |  Slovenia |
| Pages | 217 |
| ISBN | 961-6421-40-9 |
Camera obscura is a novel by Slovenian author Nejc Gazvoda, first published in 2006 by Študentska založba in the Beletrina series.[1] Recognized as a significant work in contemporary Slovenian literature, it was nominated for the Kresnik Award in 2007. The novel is often described as a generational narrative, capturing the anxieties and disillusionment of youth in post-modern Slovenia.[2]
Plot
The novel follows a young narrator who has recently graduated and is navigating the transition into adulthood in a seemingly ordinary yet dysfunctional urban environment.[1] Set in a neighborhood marked by eccentric characters - a potential murderer, a manic spider enthusiast, and a provocative young woman - the story unfolds as a series of absurd and chaotic events that reflect the protagonist’s inner turmoil. The narrative builds toward a symbolic reckoning, where the protagonist confronts the flaws of the world around them, culminating in a call to redefine their generation’s path.[2]
Themes
Camera Obscura explores themes of generational disillusionment, societal dysfunction, and personal reinvention. The novel critiques the inadequacy of the existing social order, portraying a world that feels broken and in need of radical change. Through its darkly comedic tone and vivid character sketches, it examines the psychological and emotional struggles of youth, blending elements of pathology and trauma with a search for meaning. The narrative’s focus on a single character’s resolve to “speak and show the way” underscores themes of agency and resilience in the face of chaos.[2]
Reception
The novel received significant attention upon release, with critics noting its bold narrative style and its potential as a defining work for a new generation of Slovenian writers. It was nominated for the Kresnik Award in 2007, highlighting its impact within Slovenian literary circles. Literary commentator Zdravko Duša praised its unflinching exploration of trauma and its call for generational renewal, describing it as a work that seeks to “destroy the old world” to pave the way for new perspectives.[1]
See also
References
- ^ a b c "KIBLA: Nejc Gazvoda: V petek so sporočili, da bo v nedeljo konec sveta – book presentation". www.kibla.org. Retrieved 2025-07-22.
- ^ a b c "Camera Obscura from Nejc Gazvoda | | leslibraires.ca | Purchase print books and eBooks online". leslibraires.ca. Retrieved 2025-07-22.