The Birdcage Archives

Thursday, 7 June 2018

Daša Drndić, Dies Aged 71


Hello Gentle Reader

Daša Drndić was a critically acclaimed Croatian writer, whose works were just beginning to set root in other languages, specifically: English. Not surprising considering she was a doctorate and professor in English language/literature and creative writing, and English language and literature were her areas of study throughout most of her education—her bachelor’s degree focused on English language and literature philology; her master’s degree was in communications and theatre, while her doctorate degree returned to English language and literature—alongside being a professor and lecturer on English language/literature and creative writing, Daša Drndić was editor and translator; most importantly she was a writer. As a writer, Daša Drndić, literary perspectives were more homegrown, historical and tragic. Throughout her literary overview she tackled the themes and scenes of horrors from the twentieth century; including the Holocaust, Soviet Union, and the Balkans war. Yet unlike many writers who wrote long and dry academic passages and investigations, documenting the horrors through dates, stats, and facts; Daša Drndić imagined and reimagined these tragedies, and the personal stories lost in the horrors of the time. Her work was often called a sucker punch to the stomach, relentless in depicting and retelling the horrors that have taken place during the past century, yet despite the tragedy often researched, investigated and retold in her work, there are moments of grace, beauty and humanity. Beyond writing fiction and prose, she often wrote radio dramas performed in her native Croatia, as well as writing scripts for radio programs; as well as writing articles and opinion pieces for newspapers. Before her death, Daša Drndić, spoke forlornly and with unease about the rise of fascism and the terrors of the common age, which she has called an age of “aggressive revisionism,”—and offered a warning that there is no such idea of concept as moderate fascism or favorable Nazism; and worries the dark face of fascism is once again on the rise and steadily so.  Daša Drndić died on June 6th, after succumbing to a battle with cancer, which she has fought for the past two years. She was renowned for being a striking, frank, and humanely concerned writer, one who wrote about the darkest points of history, and gave voice and an identity to the victims; and brining the personal to the historical.

Rest in Peace, Daša Drndić

Thank-you For Reading Gentle Reader
Take Care
And As Always
Stay Well Read

M. Mary

No comments:

Post a Comment