Description
On the Edge of Reason
Book Summary
A social dinner in 1920s Croatia becomes the setting for a definitive rupture. The protagonist, a lawyer and industrial secretary, decides to break the complicit silence and express his opinion on a tragic incident his host is boasting about. That act of sincerity will precipitate him into an open conflict with the entire community, which repudiates, judges, and imprisons him. On the Edge of Reason is an implacable dissection of bourgeois hypocrisy and a plea regarding the price of telling the truth in a corrupt society.
What is it about?
The novel follows the story of an anonymous lawyer who, during a social evening, confronts the powerful CEO Domacinski by questioning his version of a tragic event. By breaking the unwritten rules of social convenience, the protagonist triggers a chain reaction: rejection by his colleagues, incomprehension from his family, a rigged judicial process, and imprisonment. Through his downfall, Miroslav Krleza not only narrates a personal drama but also conducts a profound analysis of the provincial mentality, the corruption of the elites, and the fragility of individual conscience in the face of established power.
Main themes
- The hypocrisy and social conventions of the provincial bourgeoisie.
- The conflict between individual truth and collective lies.
- Abuse of power and corruption in institutions.
- The price of dissent and the loneliness of those who dare to think differently.
- Critique of class morality and the decadence of an era.
Who is it recommended for?
This work is aimed at readers interested in 20th-century Central European narrative, particularly those who appreciate the psychological and social portraits of authors like Thomas Mann or Joseph Roth. It is also recommended for those seeking a novel of ideas, with strong critical content and incisive prose, that reflects on ethics, justice, and individual conscience.
What this book offers
- An immersion in the work of one of the great Croatian writers, essential for understanding Balkan literature.
- A lucid and timeless analysis of social pressure and moral cowardice.
- A tense, psychological narrative that maintains interest from the first page.
- A reflection on the value of integrity in a hostile environment.
Technical specifications
- Author: Krleza, Miroslav
- Publisher: Xordica
- Language: Spanish
- Subject: MODERN AND CONTEMPORARY FICTION
- Collection: ENVISTAS
- Publication date: September 2020
- Number of pages: 312
- Weight: 596 g
Editorial review
On the Edge of Reason is a novel of surgical precision. Miroslav Krleza constructs a story in which the tension grows as the protagonist faces the consequences of his honesty. His critical gaze on the hypocrisy of the ruling class and the fragility of the individual against the system makes it a work of great relevance. It is an essential read for those seeking a dense, intelligent narrative committed to the truth.