CRO/ENG
Interesantna pripovijetka koja se može promatrati sa nekoliko aspekata. Povijesno, opisuje ukratko uspješnu obranu Sinjana od Osmanlija, zbog čega je alka i osnovana. Kulturološki, prikazuje njegovanje tradicionalnih običaja, a interesi za praćenje su ravni sportskom događaju (danas je to i turistička atrakcija). Osim toga, po narodnom vjerovanju, za Sinjane pobjeda u alki znači i uspjeh u ljubavi, što je i primarna tema u ovom djelu. Naravno, i ljubav se drugačije iskazuje, ovisno o kome se radi. Iako ton u ''Alkaru'' nastoji biti veseo, Rašica i Salko su, zapravo, tragični likovi zbog nedostatka ljubavi, bilo da vole ili žele biti voljeni. Imaju bogatstvo, ljepotu, snagu i prati ih dobar glas, ali su jako zatvoreni, osim prema užem krugu ljudi, a ni međusobni odnos oca i sina nije ništa bolji. Posebno mi je žao Salka kada se uspoređuje sa psom kojega ljudi tjeraju sa natjecateljske staze jer im smeta. Ako postoji mogućnost biranja strana na kraju radnje, bilo bi teško jer su i ženski likovi interesantni i jaki u svojem uvjerenju, ali i empatični prema drugima, pa imam razumijevanja za njihove stavove i odluke. Tim više što su te odluke osnova jedine rasprave u cijeloj knjizi, dok je ostalo naša interpretacija, temeljena na onome što čine. Po meni, jedna od najboljih hrvatskih novela ikada napisanih.
An interesting story which can be viewed from a few aspects. Historically, it describes in short a successful defense of the people of Sinj against the Ottomans, which is the reason why alka is organised. Culturally, it shows keeping of the old traditions, and the interests are equal to those at the sport events (today it's a famous tourist attraction). Besides that, by national belief, for the people of Sinj victory in alka also means a success in love, what is a primary theme in this work. Of course, love can be expressed differently, depending of whom we are talking about. Although a tone in ''Alkar'' tries to be joyful, Rasica and Salko are, actually, a tragic characters because of lack of love, either by desire to love or be loved. They have wealth, beauty, strength and reputation, but are very closed, besides towards the inner circle of people, and the mutual relationship between a father and a son is no better. I especially feel sorry for Salko when he compares himself with a dog whom people force from a competition track because he's in their way. If there's a possibility of choosing sides at the end of the plot, it's rather difficult because even the female characters are interesting and strong in their beliefs, but also empathetic towards the others, so I have an understanding for their stands and choices. Especially when these choices are the main focus of the only discussion in the entire book, while all the rest is left to us for our own interpretation, based on what they do. By me, one of the best Croatian novella's ever written.