Zemlja zalazećeg Sunca

"Land of the Setting Sun" (published in 2019) is an exceptionally striking and multi-layered collection of poetry by contemporary Croatian writer, literary critic and scholar Franjo Nagulov. In this poetic work, the author continues to develop his recognizable, merciless and linguistically erased poetic expression, aimed at critically examining contemporary society, political reality and the position of the individual in a world that is losing its own supports. The title of the collection "Land of the Setting Sun" carries a strong allegorical and dark symbolism — it refers not only to the metaphysical or civilizational twilight, but also to specific local and global spaces affected by apathy, decay, poverty and ideological dead ends. Nagulov writes in dense, hermetic and often intellectualized language, but behind this complex stylistic structure lies deep emotionality, anger and revolt against conformism, injustice and spiritual desolation. The verses are permeated with motifs of alienation, historical misconceptions, difficult everyday life and feelings of hopelessness that weigh on modern man. The collection "Land of the Setting Sun" represents a mature, uncompromising and engaged poetic work that demands complete dedication from the reader, leaving a strong impression and placing Nagulov at the very top of contemporary Croatian poetry.