Slovenian Author Vinko Möderndorfer Captures Teen Angst in New Novel, “As in the Movie”
Latvian readers already no and appreciate the work of Slovenian author Vinko Möderndorfer, whose poignant story Heart in Palm resonated with young audiences and was selected for inclusion in the 2022 Juries of Children, Teenagers and Parents book collection. Now, Möderndorfer brings a new exploration of adolescent life and family dynamics to readers with his novel As in the Movie (Day has been published), a work that has earned him the prestigious Blue Bird Award in 2013 as the best slovenian novel for young people.
Möderndorfer, a prolific writer with over fifty published books spanning poetry, prose, plays, and directorial works, tackles the complexities of modern relationships in a rapidly changing digital landscape.As in the Movie delves into the life of Gasper, a student with a rich vocabulary who struggles with social acceptance, and his evolving understanding of his parents’ strained relationship.
The novel centers on Gasper, a somewhat overlooked student despite his linguistic abilities, and his friendships with Tina, who prefers connecting with him online, and Mark, who stands by him against school bullies.Gasper’s seemingly stable world begins to unravel as he observes unsettling changes in his parents’ behavior, a mystery he attempts to solve even with the aid of internet searches.
Möderndorfer sensitively portrays the universal challenges of interpersonal connection, highlighting that while technology evolves at a breakneck pace, the core issues of family and friendship remain constant for both young people and adults. The narrative builds to a point where Gasper’s reality begins to feel “like a movie,” hinting at a dramatic unfolding of events within his family.
