- EU Council bibliography
- 15 de julio de 2021
Readers of Europe 2021 - Croatian recommendation
Readers of Europe - recommendation by the Permanent Representation of Croatia to the EU
Book selected: No-Signal Area by Robert Perišić
No-Signal Area, town N. is a post-transitional space in which economic and financial hopelessness has grown into true human hopelessness. A void of nowhere-ness adrift in a post-war vacuum.
In such a space two fraudsters do not have to be particularly skilled in order to inspire hope in the local population. Enter Oleg and Nikola, two cousins with the idea of bringing back to life a defunct turbine factory and reinvigorating a depressed town with the mantra of ‘self organisation’. The real motive of their endeavour, however, is to sell the turbines to an infamous North African dictator known as the Colonel. As you can imagine, trouble awaits.
The novel ‘No-Signal Area’ by Robert Perišić speaks in an ironic and intelligent way about contemporary Croatian society. Connecting globally and locally, conveying characters who are on the one hand universal, but on the other have their own peculiarities. Some have a tendency for petty fraud, others a propensity to evade the law, while yet others have an overarching need for hope that often turns into gullibility.
From workers to the financial elite, from waitresses to managers, from ‘ours’ to Americans - the protagonists of the novel from seemingly distant worlds enter into relationships that change them and drive them into the unknown, fighting for survival and love, doing a lot of things that are not planned. Many readers will recognise themselves in the vitality of relationships that slide between what is said and what is hidden.
Connecting the present and the past and events in an unusually wide canvass, from Siberia to the Maghreb, from the Dinarides to London, this story engages both intellectually and emotionally - with constant anticipation: what will happen next?
As much as this novel seems like fiction, its characters and spaces, situations and relationships feel current and real - at the same time sweet and bitter and funny and sad.
A poignant expansive novel that will captivate you for hours over the summer.
For those looking to unearth Croatian literary gems, discover more via Eureka, the online catalogue of the Council libraries.
And did you know that 2021 is officially the "Year of Reading" in Croatia? Discover what literary activities they have in store
About the Readers of Europe campaign - Travel across Europe through literature
Through the long months of winter, in the darkest depths of the pandemic, the thought of travelling again was a guiding light for many sailing towards uncertain shores.
Although people were confined to their homes, many made epic voyages in uncharted lands with the aid of an old friend - books. For many, books were used as an invaluable coping measure to help deal with the psychosocial strain of being confined to their homes. Reading has helped people in Europe and around the world to cope with isolation during enduring lockdowns, and to deal with the uncertainty about the future.
Summer 2021 has a more hopeful feel than last year. Rising vaccination rates and the EU Digital COVID Certificate will hopefully facilitate the safe, free movement of citizens in the EU.
But situations can change quickly during pandemics. Some people may prefer to have staycations in their country of residence. But whether you are travelling at home or overseas, the Council Library has found a ‘budget’ way to enable everyone to visit other European countries.
This summer the Council Library will whisk you away across the continent, moving not only across the Member States, but in and out of time as well.
We have once again invited colleagues from the Permanent Representations to the EU to make recommendations for books to read over the summer, with the second edition of our ‘Readers of Europe’ campaign. The theme for this years campaign is ‘Travel across Europe through literature’.
The literary pit stops on this tour will shine a light on some of Europe’s hidden charms, visiting places that are both eerily familiar and profoundly new. The works selected cover a broad range of genres, from contemporary to classic. Stories that penetrate deeply and consume entirely. Stories with strange beauty, nostalgia, mystery and love. Stories that showcase the vast wealth of European literature.
The itinerary is set. No passport is needed to go on this trip. The only carry-ons permitted are books and bookmarks (and maybe a cup of tea).
Join us as we travel across Europe through literature, as we once again encounter the ‘Readers of Europe’.
For more information about the EU Digital COVID Certificate, please see
This post does not necessarily represent the positions, policies, or opinions of the Council of the European Union or the European Council.
The Council Library reading room is currently closed. The Info Desk remains open online and will reply to queries by email from Monday to Friday, 10.00 to 16.00.