Lunapark

by Tomislav Zajec

175 pages, Hardcover

About the author

Tomislav Zajec was born in 1972 in Zagreb where he received his B.A. at the Academy of Dramatic Arts. He has published two novels and three collections of poems to date; he is also the author of six plays, four of which have been produced in theatres in Croatia and abroad. He is the winner of four poetry awards and three awards for dramatic literature. Plays produced in professional theatres: John Smith, Princess of Wales (Zagreb Youth Theatre, 1998; Academy of Dramatic Arts & Chamber Theatre, Sarajevo; The Arches Theatre, Glasgow; Theatre in the Mill, Bradford and Teatrul de Comedie, Bucharest) Assassins (ITD Theatre, Zagreb, 2000) Pigs (Jozo Ivakić’s City Theatre, Vinkovci, 2002) Jonathan Livingston Seagull (based on Richard Bach’s novel – Theatre Merlin, Zagreb, 2003) New Nosferatu (ITD Theatre, Zagreb, 2003)

Reviews

[Tihana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this for a class in college and it has left such an impression on me that I still think of it to this day, and it still gives me chills. A wonderfully written, but deeply unsettling and sad story. I cried quite a few times during the reading process. I think it's important for people to know some trigger warnings if they plan on reading this, though, since it deals with very, very heavy and serious subjects - it involves prostitution of minors and disabled children, hate crimes, very detailed and harsh violence, exploitation of minors by adults, (attempted) murder and death. If any of these things make you feel uncomfortable, I'd recommend either seriously preparing yourself for this book or not reading it at all. While I think it is very important to read about and listen to stories such as the one of this character, there's some things that happen in this book that genuinely made me feel sick to my stomach. Otherwise, this is a thought-provoking tale about the deeply rooted corruption and exploitation of helpless individuals occurring in Croatia and the tragic role a teenage orphan has in it. Truly a devastating story.