Moć življenja

The novel Moć življenja (originally titled Moč življenja) by the Čakovec-based writer Petrana Sabolek—published in 2024 by the Čakovec branch of Matica hrvatska—marks her first novel written in the Kajkavian dialect of the Međimurje region. Told from the perspective of a six-year-old girl who moves from the big city to the village of Donji Kraljevec, the novel offers a unique insight into the daily rural life, customs, and mindset of Međimurje in the last century. Through the lens of childhood curiosity and sincerity, the author captures memories of her childhood, traditions, and the forgotten stories of her native region. The work’s central theme is the tireless and awe-inspiring vitality of ordinary village folk who, through ceaseless labor and sacrifice, contended with life's many hardships. Written in an authentic and rich local dialect, the book blends nostalgia, warmth, and ethnographic significance, serving as a precious tribute to the language and culture of Međimurje. Through vivid descriptions of family dynamics and the village community, Moć življenja celebrates the resilience, the joy of creation, and the unyielding spirit of the people of Međimurje, making it a deeply moving and valuable contribution to local literature.