PSHK #41: August Šenoa III – Zlatarovo zlato / Čuvaj se senjske ruke

The third volume of August Šenoa's works in the series Pet stoljeća hrvatske književnosti (Five Centuries of Croatian Literature) contains two major historical novels: Zlatarovo zlato (The Goldsmith's Gold) and Čuvaj se senjske ruke (Beware the Hand of Senj).

Zlatarovo zlato (1871), regarded as the first modern Croatian historical novel, is set in sixteenth-century Zagreb. Its central story follows Dora Krupićeva, the daughter of a goldsmith, and Pavao Gregorijanec, a young nobleman. Their love unfolds amid conflicts between the city's burghers and aristocracy, political intrigue, and struggles over civic rights.

Čuvaj se senjske ruke (1875) portrays the Uskoks of Senj during the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries. Through their confrontations with Venetian and Habsburg authorities, Šenoa explores freedom, loyalty, and resistance to political oppression.

Both novels combine historical events with personal destinies, dramatic storytelling, and vivid depictions of Croatian society.

Edited by Šime Vučetić, this edition also includes his critical commentary and bibliographical information about the author.