My Family and Other Enemies: Life and Travels in Croatia's Hinterland

My Family and Other Enemies is a travelogue, memoir, and exploration of the hinterland of Croatia, focusing on the region of Lika, where Mary Novakovich's parents were born. The book delves into the region's history of conflict, including its role as a buffer zone between the Habsburg and Ottoman empires. It also explores the resilience and laughter of the people who live there, featuring eccentric and entertaining characters and showcasing sardonic Balkan humor. The book provides context for Croatian history and tells the stories of people whose experiences were not widely reported during the Bosnian conflict.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 280 pages
Publication date: 18 August 2022
Publisher: Bradt Travel Guides

Winner - Travel Narrative Book of the Year 2023 (British Guild of Travel Writers)




My Family and Other Enemies is a captivating blend of travelogue and memoir that delves into the heart of Croatia. Author Mary Novakovich takes readers on a journey through her ongoing connection with the picturesque region of Lika in central Croatia, where her parents were born.


Lika, although lesser-known to most travelers, holds a rich history and a unique charm. Apart from the renowned Plitvice Lakes National Park and the birthplace of Nikola Tesla, Novakovich reveals that it is a region of unparalleled natural beauty that has weathered centuries of conflict. For centuries, Lika served as a buffer zone between the Habsburg and Ottoman empires, resulting in a land of war and warriors.


When Yugoslavia began to unravel in 1991, Lika witnessed some of the earliest clashes. As a child, Novakovich was sent to Lika to stay with relatives she barely knew, during what was supposedly the golden era of Tito's rule. Since then, she has been returning to Croatia, diligently researching the story of her family's often harrowing life. In 1941, her aunt emerged as the sole survivor among the Serbs massacred by Croatian fascists. Meanwhile, her mother bravely rescued her grandmother from being buried alive when it was believed that she had succumbed to typhus.


Amidst the challenges, Novakovich finds resilience and laughter, offering a well-balanced perspective. The book is filled with eccentric and entertaining characters who exhibit the characteristic sardonic Balkan humor. Furthermore, food plays a central role in daily life, showcasing the region's culinary traditions. Throughout the narrative, Novakovich seamlessly weaves aspects of Croatian history that connect with Lika, providing valuable context to the story. By sharing the untold stories of individuals whose experiences were not widely reported during that time, Novakovich opens up a world that remains relatively unknown outside the Balkans. Her memoir offers a poignant and personal glimpse into the lives of those who lived through tumultuous times, shedding light on a period that has largely been overlooked in mainstream narratives.

Weight: 354g
Dimension: 131 x 197 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781784779405