Времето на Аника

by Ivo Andrić, Иво Андрич, Хари Стоянов (Translator)

Among the stories published between the wars there are several characters who dominate the tales in which they appear and seem similarly to stand for a whole category of human experience. An example is the heroine of the of the story “Anika's Times“(1931). Anika is a woman who wreaks havoc in Višegrad through the unpredictable distribution of her favours. The impact she made is still spoken of when the story opens, several generations later. Anika is a self-willed creature whose defiance of convention – flouted initially out of pique with a particular young man – predictably brings her no happiness to the extent that she welcomes the prospect of the inevitable retribution her as a relief for herself and others: “It would be an act of charity of someone would kill me”, she repeats several times before her death. In this way Anika herself is not entirely in control of her destiny, but is the vehicle of an overwhelming power over men.
The story of Anika is given an additional dimension in the form of an explanatory introduction the exact meaning of which is perhaps not immediately clear, but emerges from the account of “Anika’s Times”. This introduction describes the growing schizophrenia of the parish priest of a village outside Višegrad and his obsessive, furtive watching of women. As long as the villagers speak of him they tend to be reminded also of Anika. There is only a tenuous connection between her and father Vujadin, so that the association of the two stories in the villagers’ minds seems to suggest a more profound link. Vujadin’s madness is not directly attributable to his experience of women; he has become cut off from his fellow-men by a variety of factors. But as he steadily loses touch with society, women seem to loom ever larger in his consciousness. In this aspect of his madness that seems to disturb the villagers and urge them to give it form in their recollection of the legend of Anika.
Within the framework of the story “Anika's Times“, this introduction appears as a kind of meditation on man's perennial need to control and account for his powerful response to woman, the need which led to the creation of the legend of Adam and Eve.

Genres: Classics, Short Stories, Fiction, School, Historical, Serbian Literature

69 pages, ebook

First published January 1, 1931

About the author

Ivo Andrić (Serbian Cyrillic: Иво Андрић; born Ivan Andrić) was a Yugoslav novelist, poet and short story writer who won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1961. His writings dealt mainly with life in his native Bosnia under Ottoman rule.
Born in Travnik in Austria-Hungary, modern-day Bosnia and Herzegovina, Andrić attended high school in Sarajevo, where he became an active member of several South Slav national youth organizations. Following the assassination of Archduke of Austria Franz Ferdinand in June 1914, Andrić was arrested and imprisoned by the Austro-Hungarian police, who suspected his involvement in the plot. As the authorities were unable to build a strong case against him, he spent much of the war under house arrest, only being released following a general amnesty for such cases in July 1917. After the war, he studied South Slavic history and literature at universities in Zagreb and Graz, eventually attaining his PhD. in Graz in 1924. He worked in the diplomatic service of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia from 1920 to 1923 and again from 1924 to 1941. In 1939, he became Yugoslavia's ambassador to Germany, but his tenure ended in April 1941 with the German-led invasion of his country. Shortly after the invasion, Andrić returned to German-occupied Belgrade. He lived quietly in a friend's apartment for the duration of World War II, in conditions likened by some biographers to house arrest, and wrote some of his most important works, including Na Drini ćuprija (The Bridge on the Drina).
Following the war, Andrić was named to a number of ceremonial posts in Yugoslavia, which had since come under communist rule. In 1961, the Nobel Committee awarded him the Nobel Prize in Literature, selecting him over writers such as J.R.R. Tolkien, Robert Frost, John Steinbeck and E.M. Forster. The Committee cited "the epic force with which he ... traced themes and depicted human destinies drawn from his country's history". Afterwards, Andrić's works found an international audience and were translated into a number of languages. In subsequent years, he received a number of awards in his native country. Andrić's health declined substantially in late 1974 and he died in Belgrade the following March.
In the years following Andrić's death, the Belgrade apartment where he spent much of World War II was converted into a museum and a nearby street corner was named in his honour. A number of other cities in the former Yugoslavia also have streets bearing his name. In 2012, filmmaker Emir Kusturica began construction of an ethno-town in eastern Bosnia that is named after Andrić. As Yugoslavia's only Nobel Prize-winning writer, Andrić was well known and respected in his native country during his lifetime. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, beginning in the 1950s and continuing past the breakup of Yugoslavia, his works have been disparaged by Bosniak literary critics for their supposed anti-Muslim bias. In Croatia, his works had occasionally been blacklisted following Yugoslavia's dissolution in the 1990s, but were rehabilitated by the literary community. He is highly regarded in Serbia for his contributions to Serbian literature.

Reviews

[Patrizia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Una scrittura scorrevole densa di ironia e una notevole capacità descrittiva caratterizzano questo romanzo breve, che rievoca alcuni episodi della vita di un paese rimasti impressi nella memoria collettiva. Dalla follia di un pope, triste e taciturno, che finisce con l’odiare i suoi simili, si arriva a rievocare i tempi di Anika, giovane bella dal fascino misterioso, che semina gelosie e sventure intorno a sé. La circondano personaggi diversi, dal funzionario Hedo, lento e impreciso come la giustizia di questo mondo, al governatore turco. E ancora il giovane Mihailo, che custodisce un segreto che gli impedisce di vivere; il fratello Anika, Lale, giovane fornaio un po’ debole di mente. E una schiera di padri, mogli, madri che vedono in Anika l’incarnazione del male.

[Aleksandra S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Žena kao nosilac zla, demon u večitom sukobu sa duhovnim i svetovnim prostranstvima


Trideset godina pre dobijanja Nobelove nagrade za književnost, Ivo Andrić nam predstavlja Aniku i vreme koje je, po svemu sudeći, njoj najviše pripadalo. On pripoveda o nemirima koji opsedaju ljudska bića i tome kako se ona sa njima suočavaju, o ljubavi, lepoti, večitoj borbi između dobra i zla, života i smrti, o zločinu, o prolaznosti svega. Anika je ta koja stoji u centru zbivanja i vešto pušta niti priče da se razgranaju i privole nas da je upoznamo. Ona je ta čijim delovanjem vidimo i sam mentalitet malog mesta; ona je ta koja nam ukazuje u kojoj meri može biti osuđena žena a potom i predstavljena kao oličenje iskonskog zla, demona koji ruši sve već zacrtane norme jednog partijarhalnog društva. Jer, ona je strankinja, samim tim čudna i drugačija pa kako i ne bi bila ogrnuta demonskim obličjem?

Taj „ženski nered“ započinje ranije još sa Tijanom i njenom „uzbunom“ gde se jasno vidi da jedno fino, patrijarhalno obojeno društvo, svako malo remeti neko žensko zlo, koje uvek na kraju biva uklonjeno sa scene života. Oh, večito zlo, ime ti je - žena! I sudbina popa Vujadina nam govori o uticaju tih nadstvarnih sila, jer njegova samoća, seksualna apstinencija i neobični ispadi koje je imao, rezultat su njegove reakcije na prisustvo žena, koje će kasnije dovesti i do ludila. Mada su u priči o Aniki prisutni likovi predaka Vujadinovih (njegov deda, đakon Jakša i pradeda, prota Melentije) niko od njih iz porodice Porubovića nije centralna figura pripovedanja. Na scenu stupa Mihajlo i nakon kratkog uvoda u Anikinu prošlost sve do trenutka „objavljivanja“ upoznajemo se sa Mihajlovom prošlošću i na neki način, možemo da se saživimo sa njegovim likom, a kasnije i da razumemo njegove postupke. Sa Anikom to nije slučaj. Ona je predstavljena kao jedna jako egocentrična osoba, usmerena isključivo na sebe samu, što i jeste jedan od osnovnih karakteristika fatalne žene. Jer, kako bi se drugačije u patrijarhatu i mogao okarakterisati bilo kakav pokušaj ženske emancipacije, kontrole vlastitih želja, vlastitog tela do nedopustivog egocentrizma i sebičluka? Tako mi dođosmo do saznanja o ženi kobne lepote koja se, eto, jedne godine „pronevaljalila, izazvavši mušku pomamu i žensku mržnju prema sebi.“ Nju, pored te nestvarne lepote karakteriše i nagla promena njenog psihološkog portreta.

U sebi, Anika nosi dozu orijentalnosti: koža joj je bela kao sneg, telo bujno, kosa duga, crna i gusta i Andrić nastoji da izvuče to njeno tuđinsko, strano.

„Pored ćutljive i nedruževne majke, rasla je mršava i visoka devojčica sa velikim očima, punim nepoverenja i prkosa, sa ustima koja su u sitnom licu izgledala suviše velika i uvek spremna na plač. Rasla je, ali samo uvis. Majka joj je povezivala glavu na neki naročit način, da joj se nimalo ne vidi kosa. Sva naježena i ćoškasta, mala je išla uvek pognuta kao da se stidi sama svoje visine, sa prkosno stegnutim usnama i oborenih očiju.“

Nekada ovakvo čeljade, a danas posve drugačija, Anika iz revolta ili osvete Mihajlu, otvara svoja vrata muškom svetu i time dovodi do otvorene mržnje žena prema tom njenom činu. Ali, sukob ne vlada samo kasabom, sukob je i u njoj samoj – borba duha i tela je sveprisutna – pa stoga ona kaže: „Osevapio bi se ko bi me ubio.“ I bi tako!

Bez ikakvog straha, svesna da je dva čoveka vole i zbog nje pate, želela je da osigura svoju smrt. Svesno je težila onome što će je uništiti, jer je vapila za nekim vidom oslobođenja mučnine i gađenja prema životu.

I nesta Anika, ženski demon, fatalna žena, rušiteljka svega onog ispravnog u patrijarhalnom društvu. Nesta, kao da je nikada nije ni bilo, a kasaba nastavi da živi, do neke nove Anike...

[Jaga · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now, that's a great misogynistic novel. A story of Anika, a beautiful Bosnian girl who, after being turned down by a boy she loves, becomes a 'courtesan'. The book is also a mise en abyme with stories piling up so before you condemn the boy for turning down a woman's love you get to know the tragic story behind his decision.

== SPOILER ALERT ==




Anika is killed by her brother as a disgrace to the family. There are some pretty disturbing statements in the book, e.g. that a woman is a devil's tool and the only way to tame woman/devil is to keep her busy with work and children. Obviously men who fall for her charms are innocent idiots who later come back to their families and everything goes happily back to 'normal'.

The book is wonderfully written and translated, a real joy for a reader.

[Anna · Rating 2 out of 5]

When one moves to a new place, there is a reasonable desire to learn more about this place, including the culture and literature. This is how I came to Ivo Andric who is probably the most prominent writer from the Balkans. And of course all the former Yugoslavian countries consider him their national treasure. He was born in Bosnia, studied in Croatia, lived in Serbia and owned a summer home in Montenegro. Truly a uniting force for the region.

The book I came across, however, does not feel deserving of someone of such a stature. Maybe it wasn't for me or maybe it's not his best work, I don't know. The fact is that I did not really find anything to like about this book. If it wasn't so short, I would have probably not finished it. So I guess it has this going for it.

The story is told in multiple flashbacks, or rather in flashbacks within flashbacks, which is confusing and doesn't seem to serve any purpose. The whole story also seems to lack any purpose apart from portraying women who do what they desire as the worst evil possible. The language is stilted even accounting for it being dated (although that might be partially due to the translation which I found very odd at times). There is literally nothing I can find in this little novella that would lead me to believe that it is a work of an extremely talented writer.

Well, I guess I will have to read something else and hope that this was just a one-off disappointment.

[Xenja · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lungo racconto di bellissima scrittura in cui si intrecciano i fatti di un villaggio bosniaco, sospeso nel tempo. Storie d’amore, di pazzia e di morte. Ci sono pagine piene di poesia e di mistero. Altre, un po’noiose.

[Chequers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Forse non ero dell'umore giusto, ma nonostante abbia apprezzato la fluidita' della narrazione, non sono riuscita a ritrovare le atmosfere magiche che ho incontrato ad esempio con Kadare'.
Tre stelline e mezzo.

[Vanja Kalinac · Rating 5 out of 5]

<3 Volim ovu. :)

[mačak · Rating 5 out of 5]

netačan i spor kao ljudski sud i zemaljska pravda

[Tamara M · Rating 3 out of 5]

Volim kako Andrić pripoveda priče u priči, i kako dobro poznaje i opisijue ljudsku prirodu sa svim svojim neobjašnjivim crtama. Tako i u Anikinim vremenima - upoznajemo se sa običnim, po malo komičnim ali na kraju tragičnim likovima čiji životi direktno i indirektno utiču na medjusobne odluke i sudbine.

[Lella52 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un racconto bellissimo, intenso e fluido. La scrittura è quasi priva di artifici letterari, ma ricca di poesia soprattutto nelle descrizioni, ed è questo aspetto che mi ha maggiormente colpito: riuscire a fare di un romanzo breve e semplice un piccolo gioiello.
Degna di menzione è anche la capacità che ha avuto Andrić di collegare le storie e i destini di personaggi che, apparentemente, non sono correlati tra loro.
Sono circa 130 pagine, poche, ma utili a conoscere un grande scrittore!

[Akistula BooKiss Pula · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fitues i çmimit Nobel. Stil shumë interesant, historia dhe mesazhet po ashtu. Mënyra e rrëfimit shumë e këndshme

[Natalia Stancheva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Чете се на един дъх. Човешки разказ за любовта. За трагичната любов. За потиснатите желания и тъмната страна на човека. За раните, които си нанасяме един на друг. За миналото, което всички имаме, което си носим, пък било то и покрито под попско расо. За грешките, които ни белязват до живот. Книга с изключително ярки образи, чиято главна героиня Аника ми напомни за Йовковата Албена... "става така, че случайността донася по някое дете, както вятърът семе, което да се дръпне, да застърчи над реда и да предизвика нещастия и заблуди..." Такава ни е представена Аника в началото на романа. Грехът й се изтъква страница подир страница. С уплътняването на останалите персонажи обаче разликата между праведен и грешен се размива. Блудницата отстъпва място на отхвърлената жена в поредица от забити ножове и нанесени рани. Става ясно, че злото влече след себе си нови злини. Че тази верига не може да се скъса по силата на забравата. "Да се разделяме, на всички ни се налага, но да се прощаваме, това не е за всекиго работа; за това трябва силно сърце."
И накрая понякога любовта е рана. Понякога любовта е блудна (защото е безсилна, защото е отчаяна). Понякога злото е просто забулена мъка. Отговорността за злините се размива в едно упражнение по морален релативизъм. Убийство или самоубийство от любов и кой всъщност е извършителят - този, който забива ножа, този, който е нанесъл раната години по-рано или мо��е би дори жертвата. А кой е жертвата? Някои хора биват убивани преди да умрат физически. Ще ми се да вярвам, че любовта побеждава - в изтегления от раната и укрит нож, в онова "да се прощаваме". Ще ми се. Заради Аника.

[Milica DIY · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read for school.

[Ivana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nenadmasivi Andric. Niko ne moze da spoji sudbinu vise likova, naizgled nepovezanu, na tako prirodan nacin. Ovog puta prica je o Aniki, posrnuloj zeni, Jaksi, coveku koji nije ostvario ljubav sa njom, Mihailu, izgubljenog u zlocinu, ali i o onome sto je najveca misterija sveta - zivotu.

[Nemanja · Rating 5 out of 5]

- Ja kažem "Anika sviće", a ti mi dlanom pokrivaš oči...
🌄

[agatka · Rating 3 out of 5]

po wypowiedzi pana z antykwariatu, który skrytykował mi Konwickiego, a ,,Anikę" nazwał "najlepszą" książką, liczyłam na coś szczególnego, w piórze czy przesłaniu. styl Andricia okazał się raczej prosty, chociaż zdarzyło się kilka fragmentów o szczególnej wrażliwości, cudownie zgłębiających uczucia na tyle drobiazgowe, że nigdy wcześniej nie zgłębiane. sama postać Aniki przywodzi mi na myśl skojarzenia z Naną (oczywiste z racji profesji, ale z własnego podwórka pomyślałam też o Jagnie, tak samo wysublimowanej i tak samo przez to znienawidzonej), schemat nie jest więc nowatorski - niezależna bohaterka podążająca własną drogą i wroga lub sceptyczna społeczność. tym, co wyróżnia pozycję pośród innych, jest natomiast uwaga skierowana na reakcje mężczyzn, jak fascynacja, potęgowana słabością wobec popędów, zamienia się w nienawiść. Anika stała się pionkiem, kozłem ofiarnym mężczyzn tracących kontrolę. przykry, ale powtarzalny jest ten morał, według którego życie to wybór między dopasowaniem a ostracyzmem. (w ,,Anice" dodatkowy element: głupi mężczyźni)

[mrt.marta · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75

“E benedice cento volte il pane e il sale che hanno mangiato insieme. In un angolo dell'occhio gli brilla una scintilla immobile. È una lacrima che non cade mai e che si illumina sempre allo stesso modo ogni volta che prendono a parlare di Mihajlo, come fosse sempre la stessa.”

Ivo Andrič Premio Nobel della letteratura nel 1961, scrittore tutto da scoprire. Mi ha convinto con la sua prosa pulita ma significativa e non scontata, il racconto è “molto serbo” e quindi distante dal nostro mondo, proprio per questo mi ha incuriosito e allo stesso tempo tenuto a una certa distanza. Sicuramente mi informerò su Andrič e recupererò altro.

[Marco Innamorati · Rating 3 out of 5]

Strano romanzo, che inizia raccontando di un personaggio che viene abbandonato subito per rievocare invece l’epoca in cui nella stessa area geografica era al centro dell’attenzione qualcun altro: Anika, appunto. Costei “guerreggiava” (così è scritto) con tutti: nel puro senso che utilizzava il suo potere seduttivo per soggiogare gli uomini del paese, dal governatore in giù.
Non indimenticabile.

[Martyna Nina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ivo weź daj spokój już. Anika diablica męczennica nie zrobiła wrażenia, a pomyślunek ze w kobiecie każdej jest diabeł i jak nie zechce dzieci rodzic albo do roboty się brać to trzeba ją zajebac naprawdę inspirujący. Autor chciał ale nie dowiózł

[KristofVdB]

Good story, not too great translation.

[Nazdi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nie wiem co myśleć o tej książce, ale nawet taka okej była. Będę musiała ja przeczytać kiedyś jeszcze raz żeby ogarnąć w niektórych momentach o co w niej chodzi.

[Wołowski Julian · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

[Ellifim · Rating 1 out of 5]

Misogynistic. Even if the book is titled after Anika, we know absolutely nothing about her inner world or motives. Almost the whole book is about Mihailo and his conscience struggles.

[Fabo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un racconto di amore, odio, invidia e tradizione che permette di respirare i paesaggi e le vicende dei protagonisti.
Andrić scrive bene anche quando racconta il panorama.

Fantastico

[Andrew De Sousa · Rating 4 out of 5]

8.5/10

[Lena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anika me povela na put kroz strast i tragičnu usamljenost, dok je Andrićeva vjernost jeziku i slojevitost likova ponovno dokazala njegov genij.

[Marco · Rating 2 out of 5]

2,5

"Così anche quella debole speranza di Mihajlo svaniva. Tutto si scostava da quella donna e lui restava solo davanti a lei; tutto lo spingeva chiaramente e irresistibilmente in un vicolo cieco e lui, impotente, non poteva far altro che osservare e misurare ogni tanto il tratto percorso sulla china da cui impercettibilmente scivolava."