Red Water
by Jurica Pavičić
Why read it
Originally published as Crvena voda and translated into English by Matt Robinson, this acclaimed novel uses a missing-person investigation to trace the transformation of an entire society. When seventeen-year-old Silva disappears from a Dalmatian coastal village in September 1989, the search for her is eclipsed by the collapse of Yugoslavia and the ensuing war. Over nearly three decades, her family and community remain haunted by the mystery, creating a deeply human drama that merges a procedural puzzle with acute social history.
Where to get it
In the Netherlands, English and foreign-language editions can be ordered through independent booksellers such as Athenaeum Boekhandel, Donner, or Waterstones Amsterdam, as well as online via Bol.com and Amazon.nl. Digital versions are available on major ebook platforms including Kobo and Kindle, and library patrons can check availability or request international acquisitions through the Dutch public library network (de Bibliotheek).
What to expect
A slow-burning, melancholic mystery with a multi-perspective structure spanning decades. The novel balances intimate family tragedy with broad historical scope, maintaining a steady, reflective pace rather than frantic thrills. The reading difficulty is moderate, requiring attention to shifting points of view and time jumps. Content notes: references to the disappearance of a teenager, grief, drug use, wartime displacement, and corruption.
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