Kletva 4

The Curse 4 is the fourth and final volume of August Šenoa's great historical novel, one of the most ambitious works of Croatian literature. The plot takes place in the turbulent 14th century and brings the culmination of the conflict between the Zagreb Kaptol and the burgher Grič, the rebellion of Croatian nobles (Horvati, Ivan of Paližna, etc.) against King Sigismund, and the tragic consequences of the curse that Bishop Pavao cast on the citizens.

In this part of the story, the drama increases: political intrigue, personal revenge, love affairs, and major historical changes intertwine in a tense, dynamic plot. Šenoa (and later the sequel Josip Eugen Tomić) masterfully paints a broad fresco of medieval life – noble conspiracies, church struggles, city unrest, and the fate of individuals trapped in the maelstrom of history. The novel exudes national enthusiasm, rich historical details, and a vivid depiction of Zagreb and Croatia at that time.

This edition is part of the popular and extremely attractive edition of the Collected Works of August Šenoa, published by the Preporod Publishing House in Zagreb in 1942–1943. The fourth volume of The Curse, like the others, is equipped with strong and expressive drawings by Andrija Maurović. His illustrations on the cover and within the text perfectly evoke the dramatic atmosphere of the Middle Ages, battles, tension and everyday life of that turbulent period, making the book a real visual and collector's delight.

The Curse is among Šenoa's most important works due to its epic breadth and depth of themes of power, betrayal, justice and the fight for freedom. The fourth part brings an emotionally powerful conclusion to this great fresco of Croatian past. The book will especially delight lovers of historical novels, Šenoa's work and antiquarian editions with artistic value – a powerful, instructive and exciting read that is read in one breath and remains in the memory.