Title: Baba Yaga Laid an Egg
Author: Dubravka Ugrešić
First published January 1, 2007
327 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9781847670663 (ISBN10: 1847670660)
Rating: 3.66
Overview
Baba Yaga, the infamous old hag who lives in a house built on chicken legs and is known for kidnapping small children, has captured the imagination of generations. But what happens when three women decide to spend a week together at a hotel spa, and a writer embarks on a journey to Bulgaria on behalf of her mother?
Dubravka Ugresic’s novel weaves together their stories, full of spellbinding magic and unexpected twists. From a gambling triumph to sudden death on the golf course, a long-lost grandchild to an invasion of starlings, and wartime flight, the consequences of which are revealed decades later, Baba Yaga Laid an Egg is a captivating exploration of the power of myth and the unexpected connections between seemingly disparate lives.
About the Author
Dubravka Ugrešić, a writer from Yugoslavia, Croatia, and the Netherlands, passed away at the age of 73 in Amsterdam on March 17th, 2023. Ugrešić earned her degrees in Comparative Literature, and Russian Language and Literature at the University of Zagreb.
She worked as a literary scholar for twenty years at the Institute for Theory of Literature at Zagreb University, while also pursuing a parallel career as a writer. Ugrešić wrote screenplays for children’s television programs as an undergraduate, and published her first book for children, Mali plamen, in 1971.
She won a prestigious Croatian literary prize for children’s literature for this book. Ugrešić was best known in the former Yugoslavia for her fiction, including novels and short stories.
Her novel Forsiranje romana reke won the coveted NIN-award for the best novel of the year, making Ugrešić the first woman to receive this honor. Ugrešić also worked as a literary scholar, focusing on Russian avant-garde culture, and rediscovered forgotten Russian writers such as Konstantin Vaginov and Leonid Dobychin.
She took a firm anti-nationalistic and anti-war stand when the war broke out in the former Yugoslavia in 1991. She began writing critically about nationalism and the criminality of war, which led to her being ostracized and harassed by the media, officials, politicians, fellow writers, and anonymous citizens.
Ugrešić left Croatia in 1993 and continued writing novels and essays after moving abroad. Her books have been translated into over twenty languages, and she has received several major European literary awards, including the Neustadt International Prize for Literature in 2016.
Editoral Review
Dubravka Ugrešić’s Baba Yaga Laid an Egg is a unique and engrossing novel that intertwines folklore, feminism, and existential ponderings. Ugrešić, a Croatian writer, first published the book in 2007, and it quickly garnered critical acclaim.
Exploring the life of an aging writer and the myth of Baba Yaga, the novel is both experimental and relatable, intriguing and thought-provoking. The book is a hybrid of various genres – part fairy tale, part memoir, part social critique.
In Baba Yaga Laid an Egg, Ugrešić examines the role of women in society, the desire for youth, and the search for love. The author approaches these themes through the lens of Baba Yaga, a mythical figure in Slavic folklore who is often depicted as a witch.
Ugrešić dismantles the stereotypes surrounding Baba Yaga, creating a nuanced portrayal of the character while also reflecting on her own life experiences. The novel is divided into three parts, with each section delving deeper into Baba Yaga’s stories and the writer’s life.
In the first section, the writer and her friend discuss Baba Yaga and her various interpretations throughout history. The second section is set in Croatia, where the writer and her elderly mother travel to a spa resort.
Here, the writer befriends two older women who share their memories and secrets with her. Lastly, the third section explores the writer’s relationship with her mother, as well as her own creative struggles.
Throughout the novel, Baba Yaga serves as a symbol for aging and the fear of death. The writer reflects on her own life and the choices she has made, while also questioning the role of women in society.
The prose is beautiful, with Ugrešić’s lyrical and poetic language capturing the essence of Baba Yaga and the writer’s journey. One of the novel’s strengths is its ability to blend genres seamlessly.
Ugrešić has created a captivating story that is both whimsical and realistic. She uses the Baba Yaga myth to create a subtle commentary on feminism, society, and aging.
The characters are complex and flawed, driving the plot forward with their unique personalities and experiences. However, the novel’s experimental nature may not be for everyone.
The use of multiple narrators, including the writer’s mother, adds richness to the story but may be confusing at times. Additionally, the non-linear structure may require readers to pay close attention to detail.
Overall, Baba Yaga Laid an Egg is a beautifully crafted novel that explores themes of feminism, aging, and the search for identity. Ugrešić has created a unique and memorable story that will linger with readers long after they finish the book.
It will appeal to fans of experimental literature, feminist theory, and magical realism. The book deserves a score of 4 out of 5.
