Aleksandar Markovic

POETICS OF THE SCENT OF RAIN IN THE BALKANS BY GORDANA KUIĆ

Abstract

In the paper POETICS OF THE SCENT OF RAIN IN THE BALKANS BY GORDANA KUIC the analysis of poetic-narrative characteristics of the novel was conducted. Considering that there is not enough of critic literature of the literary works of Gordana Kuić and the novel The Scent of Rain in the Balkans, the analysis commences from general characteristics of the writer's creation, in order to establish general insight into topical and poetic preferences of her writings. The foundation of her work can be seen in the core elements of the novel: composition, plot development, characters, narration, language and style of writing. Inter-textual connections of the novel with works of world literary tradition are shown within the research text, such as the Bible and In Search of Lost Time by Marcel Proust. Through the explanation of symbolism within the title, the analysis of the core motifs of the book is established: the scent and the rain. The meaning of space in the Balkans is explored in the novel, as in the writings of Gordana Kuić altogether. TGhe connection of Jewish novels with literary tradition of Serbian literature is also highlighted in her works, especially in the writings of Danilo Kiš and David Albahari, as well as the influence of Andrić's creations on the poetics of Gordana Kuić. Since the Jewish and Sphardic traditions of cultural world are shown in the novel, that aspect is also present in her writing. It is revealed how the Sephardic identity changes at the beginning of the 20th century in the Balkans. The importance of the Holocaust and war in Jewish literary traditions are also pointed out in the novel of Gordana Kuić. The family is recognized as the center of romanesque plot, therefore our research is centered around the family. especially the figures of the mother and the father.

Keywords: Kuić, scent, rain, Balkans, Jews, ide ntity, family, mother, mud