Krimskrams

The main characters are Pandža, Ž and Sale – three friends on the verge of forty whose lives are marked by failed relationships, marriage and frivolous decisions. Although their fathers originally from Drniš moved to Zagreb, what truly unites them is their infantilism, egocentrism and a tendency towards irresponsible behavior.

Throughout the story, which takes place from the end of winter to the summer of 2008, their midlife crisis escalates into a series of bizarre events – the murder of a politician’s mistress, intrigue, cocaine addiction, underage affairs and dual Serbian-Croatian citizenship, with the appearance of numerous characters: artists, performers, journalists, politicians and even the President of the United States.

Generational fatigue and Peter Pan syndrome force the characters to avoid responsibility and adulthood. The story explores the identity crisis of the urban Generation X, imbued with nostalgia, cocaine and an escape into the bizarre. Thematically, it carries the message that sometimes life becomes chaotic, and the boundaries between reality and illusion become blurred.

Krimskrams is an energetic, hilarious "prose rollercoaster" that takes the reader through dynamic and shocking plots, and through grotesque and black humor it questions what happens when three "immature" men suddenly lose control. Although some critics point out weaknesses in the character motivations and plot, the guiding thread remains a bold combination of urban comedy and reflection on one's own cultural background.