Seven Terrors is a science fiction novel by Selvedin Avdić. Originally published in 2010 in Bosnian, it was translated into English by Coral Petkovich published in the UK by Istros Books in 2012.
 | |
| Author | Selvedin Avdić |
|---|---|
| Original title | Sedam Strahova |
| Translator | Coral Petkovich |
| Language | Bosnian |
| Genre | Science fiction |
| Publisher | Istros Books |
Publication date | 2010 (Bosnian) 2012 (English) |
| Awards | International Dublin Literary Award nominated, longlist, 2013 |
The book, which includes themes of violence, oppression and injustice, is set in post-war Bosnia. The unnamed protagonist, while dealing with depression, navigates an underground mystical world, in search of a lost friend.
The book won praise from literary correspondents Nicholas Lezard and Eileen Battersby. It was nominated for the International Dublin Literary Award and the Science Fiction & Fantasy Translation Award.
Publication edit
Seven Terrors is the debut novel of Bosnian writer Selvedin Avdić translated into English by Coral Petkovich[1] in 2012.[2] The English language publication is by Istros Books.[3]
The book's Bosnian title is Sedam Strahova.[2]
Synopsis edit
The book is set in post-war Bosnia.[4] It is narrated by an unnamed former radio journalist. The protagonist, who split with his wife 9 months prior, is struggling with depression and ethnic tensions.[1][4] The protagonist meets Aleksa, the daughter of an old and now missing friend and helps her navigate a mystical underground.[5]
Themes in the book include systemic violence, worker oppression, and injustice.[6]
Critical reception edit
Nicholas Lezard writing in The Guardian described the book as "remarkable" and states that "This is a story that starts off weird and gets weirder, but with the logic and clamminess of a bad dream. It's quite unlike anything I've read before, but it has all the consistency and force of something major and assured"[1] Ali Alizadeh, writing in the Sydney Review of Books calls the novel "gripping", "spinechilling," and "a terrifically compelling discourse on war, violence and humanity's dark heart".[6] The Irish Times' literary correspondent Eileen Battersby described the book as witty and surreal.[7]
The book was longlisted for the International Dublin Literary Award in 2013[8] and shortlisted for the Science Fiction & Fantasy Translation Awards 2013.[9] Literalab identified the book their number one on a list of 15 best books of 2012.[10]
References edit
- ^ a b c Lezard, Nicholas (2014-02-05). "Seven Terrors by Selvedin Avdić – review". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2023-03-16.
- ^ a b "Title: Sedam strahova". Internet Speculative Fiction Database. Retrieved 2023-03-16.
- ^ "Seven Terrors by Selvedin Avdić". Istros Books. Retrieved 2023-03-16.
- ^ a b Rachel Cordasco. “What to Read Now: Horror in Translation.” World Literature Today, vol. 93, no. 1, 2019, pp. 8–9. JSTOR, doi:10.7588/worllitetoda.93.1.0008. Accessed 17 Mar. 2023.
- ^ "Paperback reviews: The Sea Inside, Seven Terrors, Central Asia Through". The Independent. 2014-03-07. Retrieved 2023-03-16.
- ^ a b Alizadeh, Ali (11 March 2016). "R&R A Novel by Mark Dapin - Review by Ali Alizadeh". Sydney Review of Books. Retrieved 2023-03-16.
- ^ Battersby, Eileen (9 May 2015). "Girl at War by Sara Novic review: notes from a phony war-torn childhood". The Irish Times. Retrieved 2023-03-17.
- ^ Aw, Tash (2013-11-14). "Impac longlist goes further than other prizes". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2023-03-16.
- ^ "2013 Science Fiction & Fantasy Translation Awards". Internet Speculative Fiction Database. Retrieved 2023-03-16.
- ^ "Literalab's Best Books of 2012". literalab. 2012-12-24. Retrieved 2023-03-16.
