Vuci

Volume 5–6 of Milutin Nehajev's Works presents one of the most significant works of Croatian literature of the 20th century – the historical novel Vuci published in two volumes as part of the collected works by the Croatian Publishing and Bibliographic Institute.

The novel was originally published in 1928 on the occasion of the 400th anniversary of the death of Krsto Frankopan, the prince of Krk, Senj and Modruš. Nehajev wrote it after an extensive historical study of the Frankopani, and the work is considered a turning point in the development of the Croatian historical novel. It dissolves the classical Šenoinian structure and hints at a more modern, neo-historical approach.

The plot follows the last third of Krsto Frankopan's life – from his captivity near Venice in 1514, through his long imprisonment in Torresella and Milan, his escape, his return to his homeland, political struggles, and until his tragic death near Varaždin in 1527. Through the fate of this powerful nobleman and military leader, the author presents a broader picture of Croatian history during the period of conflict between the great powers: Venice, the Habsburgs, Hungary, Croatia and the Turkish threat.

Nehajev does not offer a classic heroic fresco, but a deep psychological portrait of a complex personality – a strong, ambitious, but also vulnerable man, faced with betrayals, love losses (his wife Apollonia), political disappointments and the impossibility of complete sovereignty. The novel explores themes of national consciousness, the struggle for Croatian statehood, the conflict between ideals and reality and the historical repeatability of the suffering of a small people.

The style is mature, analytical and subtle – characteristic of Nehajev's modern prose. The author masterfully combines documentary precision (historical events are faithfully depicted) with literary freedom, inner monologue and psychological depths of the characters. The language is rich, picturesque and rhythmic, with a pronounced atmosphere of the 16th century.

In Croatian literary history, Vuci stands out as a transitional work between the traditional historical novel and the more modern approaches of the 20th century. For lovers of Croatian heritage, the history of the Frankopan dynasty, and quality historical prose, this is a must-read.

The 1944 edition, especially in its original cover, is a rarity today and represents a valuable part of the complete works of Milutin Nehajev (1880–1931), one of the most versatile and educated authors of Croatian modernism.