Girl at War
Croatia

Girl at War

by Sara Novic

War & Conflict Historical Fiction Fiction 2015

Summary

Girl at War follows Ana Jurić, a ten-year-old girl growing up in Zagreb when the Yugoslav Wars erupt in the early 1990s. As violence spreads across Croatia, Ana’s childhood is shattered, and she experiences the devastating consequences of war, including the loss of loved ones and the destruction of her sense of security. After a traumatic journey, she eventually finds refuge in the United States, where she struggles to rebuild her life while carrying memories she cannot fully confront. Years later, Ana returns to Croatia, hoping to reconnect with her past and understand the experiences that shaped her identity. Moving between childhood and adulthood, Sara Nović explores trauma, displacement, survivor’s guilt, and the lasting psychological effects of conflict. The novel is a poignant examination of how war transforms individuals and communities, and how difficult it can be to reconcile the person one becomes with the person one once was.

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Country
Croatia
Europe
About the author
Sara Novic
Sara Novic

Sara Nović is an American novelist and writer known for exploring war, displacement, identity, disability, and the lasting effects of political conflict. Born in the United States to a family of Croatian heritage, she draws on her interest in Balkan history and Deaf culture to examine how individuals navigate trauma, language, and belonging. Her debut novel, Girl at War (2015), follows a young Croatian girl whose childhood is shattered by the Yugoslav Wars, exploring the long-term consequences of violence and displacement. Her second novel, True Biz (2022), is set in a school for Deaf students and examines Deaf identity, sign language, and the complexities of communication and community. Nović is also a teacher of Deaf studies and creative writing, bringing personal and cultural perspectives to her fiction. Her work highlights the resilience of individuals and communities confronting historical upheaval and social exclusion.

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Details
Published
2015
Author
Sara Novic