Summary of Newcomers
“Newcomers” tells the story of Lojze Kovačič’s childhood experiences when his family was forced to emigrate to Slovenia. The novel begins with the expulsion of the author’s family from Switzerland in 1938 – the Alpine republic was not keen on residents without a Swiss passport – and recounts their struggles to adapt to life in Slovenia (then Yugoslavia).
Reasons to read Newcomers
“Newcomers” captures the memories of a child who grapples with the challenges of adapting to a new environment in an unknown country. Some of the memories are tender and sweet, while others are filled with conflict and despair. It is a moving novel about immigration and adaptation, told in a direct writing style. Lojze Kovačič won the Prešeren Award in 1973 and the Kresnik Award for best novel in 1991 and 2004. His novel “Newcomers” is considered one of the most important Slovenian novels of the 20th century.
Setting: Cegelnica & Ljubljana (Slovenia)
Original title: Prišleki
Year of publication: 1984
Nr of pages: 250
250 pages for book one; book two counts 384 pages; the third volume is not yet translated in English)
