Petrica Kerempuh
The first in a series of children's stories by Hrvoje Hitrec about Petrica Kerempuh. An entertaining reinterpretation of a folk character: humorous, dynamic, with a moral message, but without Krleža's pessimism – Hitrec's Petrica is optimistic, cheerful a
The entire series includes five main titles: Petrica Kerempuh (1980), Petrica Kerempuh and the Brave Innkeeper (1985), Petrica Kerempuh and the Foolish Men (1986), Petrica Kerempuh and the Magic Balls (1989) and sometimes Petrica Kerempuh and the Smart Donkey (in some editions and adaptations).
Hitrec takes the folk character of Petrica Kerempuh – a cunning, mischievous peasant-prankster from Croatian folk tradition (popularized by Krleža's Ballads of Petrica Kerempuh) – and transforms him into the hero of entertaining, humorous, adventure stories for children and young people. Petrica is here a likable rebel, resourceful, always ready to deceive the rich and powerful (nobles, thieves, stupid landowners), defend the weaker and get out of trouble with a dose of humor and folk wisdom.
The stories are set in medieval or early modern Croatia (villages, towns, forests, taverns), and are full of sharp humor, deception, chases, magical elements, and social satire – Petrica ridicules greed, stupidity, and injustice. The language is lively, Kajkavian-tinged, full of jokes, proverbs, and dialogues that make reading easier for children.
One copy is available
- Slight damage to the cover
