Sometimes it seems as if it doesn't matter whether the storyteller writes about the present, skillfully describes the past, or boldly leaps into the future; what matters is that the story comes from the soul and serves as a lesson for new generations...
The writer points this out in an interview with "Vijesti". Edita Dautović whose collection of short stories was recently published, published by Ratković's Poetry Evenings and with the financial support of the Secretariat for Culture of the Capital City of Podgorica. Entitled "Dreams", the book brings together the spoken word, the present, the past, the future, boldness, the soul, lessons...
"Dreams is a book of different stories, events, a whole range of colors. All of them will arouse a different emotion, show life in action and, through love, illness, personal growth and development, happiness, empathy or some pain that is experienced, the time and custom that is described. When it comes to a book like this, that is partly good, because here the stories do not have to have any connection. And yet, some of them complement each other somewhere. Maybe they have similar outlines," says Dautović.
She adds that as an author, she nevertheless remains interested and delighted by her manuscript, and reveals what particularly attracts her.
"Just when I think about what particularly excites me while reading this book, I think that it is also important to keep my attention, a certain mysticism, and yet effectiveness. Words that somehow break away from the author herself and become like ours. Since a lot is written, and yet, not much of it remains memorable, with this book it will obviously not be like that... Not to say that it will be exactly virtuosic. Of course, there are thoughts that almost knock me off my feet. Some sentences that delight me and leave me completely breathless. And those are independent quotes that stand out as something special and independent of the book," says Dautovic.
In review Radomir Perišić, entitled "From History to the Subtlety of the Soul", emphasizes that Dautović, through his stories and prose, bears witness to and draws attention to the importance of goodness and friendship, the importance of goodness in man.
"It simply, yet profoundly true, states that good has neither religion nor nation. It is only in man and is often attacked by evil, malice, envy, but again according to the folk saying - throw good into the water, it will float up. It is significant to note that the author does not moralize, the characters of her prose speak with their works: quietly, unobtrusively - with a silence that can be heard. In this prose you will find many things, and most of all yourself. I am convinced that this is exactly what defines good prose. This is when the reader becomes one with the text and, united, dissolves pain and increases joy. It is enough for the reader to devote time and attention to Edita's 'Dreams'", says Perišić.
Successful entrepreneur and confirmed poet Edita Dautović, he adds, is now presenting herself to the reading public with a collection of short stories "Dreams", "in the manner of excellent prose writers".
"The author delves into the human soul, tells us stories from life, draws on the experience of a long-lived grandmother." Zlate - she is born with the storytelling gift of the Lim region, inheriting the richness of the language and the warmth of family tradition. She remembers and passes on to future generations the evil times when the lives of many Muslims were in a harsh windstorm, when the human spirit was put to the test. She talks about evil without evil, she does not call for revenge. She only wants to be remembered as a lesson so that evil will not happen again. A person needs faith so that he can hope, and hope so that he can live," Perišić noted.
The reviewer recognized that the lines about family celebrations are particularly inspiring, where the central place belongs to the Eid festivities that abound in gift-giving.
"These are the days when joy comes to the homes of the poor, even for a short time. The joy of sharing fills people's souls. A visit to the cemetery, the memory of those who once shared the joy and hardship of this worldly life. She also remembers Eid al-Adha... Everyone rejoices in the sacrificial meat when it is brought to their door. She remembers the faces of her neighbors and numerous relatives while, as a child, she shared sacrificial animals with her neighbors, without making any distinction in religion. The author reflects in a specific way on how a person often, in order not to stop and give up, deceives himself: he fills up unfinished tasks with new ones, which he will also not complete, and in new endeavors and efforts he seeks new strength and more courage. Thus he consumes himself and over time becomes more and more indebted to himself and everyone around him," Perišić states and concludes that her prose can be called a metaphor for the soul and friendship, a faithful image of family tradition that, for the most part, lives in memory, in stories.
"To readers, regardless of age, it sounds familiar, as if it had flown from their pen. It can be concluded that the author is also a poet of friendship, kindness and humanity in her prose. Although everyone tells their story according to their inner need, according to their inherited or acquired inclinations, according to the strength of their sensibility, only those who write from the soul are imprinted in eternity. This is precisely what is characteristic of this author, whose stories carry a lesson and a message, a lesson and motivation. Because what is a storyteller if his work does not serve man and his humanity, if he does not teach us and bear witness in the right way," says Perišić.
Edita I. Dautović was born in 1978 in Prijepolje. She has published a collection of poetry “Čula” (2002), poems “Ofelijine suze” (2010) and “Saga o Pavi i Ahmetu” (2019), and a collection of poems “Našli smo jedno drugo” (2023). She has won numerous awards for her literary work. She is represented in Montenegrin anthologies and anthologies of contemporary literature. Her works have also been published on various online platforms and magazines, she is engaged in scientific and research work, and she is the author and editor of several anthologies. The poem “Ofelijine suze” has been translated into several foreign languages. The poem “Pjesnikinja” has been included in the textbook for the XNUMXth grade of elementary school, for teaching in Bosnian, which was approved by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology of Kosovo. An edition of the poem “Saga o Pavi i Ahmetu” in Albanian and English is also in preparation, with the support of the Western Balkan Youth Cultura Fund. He lives, works and creates in Podgorica.
"Dreams" is a book of different stories, events, a whole range of colors. All of them will arouse a different emotion, show life in action and, through love, illness, personal growth and development, happiness, emotion or some pain that is experienced, the time and custom that is described. When it comes to a book like this, that is partly good, because here the stories do not have to have any connection. And yet, some of them complement each other somewhere. Maybe they have similar outlines," says Dautovic
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