Slavonska šuma / Proletarci

This book, comprising two exceptional short stories by Josip Kozarac—"Slavonska šuma" (The Slavonian Forest) and "Proletarci" (The Proletarians)—represents a key work of Croatian realism, blending a fascination with nature and sharp social criticism. Kozarac, a forestry engineer by profession, crafts a kind of hymn—a lyrical, meditative prose piece—dedicated to his native land in "Slavonska šuma." Through the changing seasons, rich descriptions of flora and fauna, and the experience of a mysterious peace beneath the oak trees, the author portrays the forest as a living organism while also highlighting the importance of its preservation and responsible management. Conversely, the story "Proletarci" delves into profound social and economic issues affecting the Slavonian countryside in the late 19th century. Kozarac realistically and unflinchingly depicts the lives of impoverished peasants and laborers who lose their land and fall into debt bondage under the pressures of capitalism and the collapse of agricultural cooperatives. By combining a pantheistic love for the native landscape with empathy for the downtrodden, Kozarac conveys a powerful message in these works about the inextricable bond between humanity, the land, and honest labor.