Strauss’s Soliloquy is a mesmerizing collection of surreal, philosophical tales where history and fiction intertwine, inviting readers into a dreamlike exploration of iconic figures and unsettling what-ifs. What inspired you to reimagine these well-known personalities in such unconventional scenarios?

I have always been interested in the biographies of great writers, statesmen, historical figures, and in general – biographies of famous people in the world. And I always imagined – what would it have been like if many events from their lives had happened differently? In my stories, I tried to have fun and turn their lives upside down, completely differently – the way I like it.

Each story carries a dreamlike and philosophical tone. How did these existential themes evolve in your work, and are there specific literary influences that shaped your style?

While I was reading my great role models – Borges, Kafka, Camus and others, I wanted to write about their lives as they wrote in their works about their literary heroes – Joseph K. from “The Trial”, Mersault from “The Stranger”, etc.

While I was reading my great role models – Borges, Kafka, Camus and others, I wanted to write about their lives as they wrote in their works about their literary heroes – Joseph K. from “The Trial”, Mersault from “The Stranger”, etc.

In translating your stories from Serbian to English, were there particular ideas or nuances you worried might be lost, or do you feel the translation added a new layer to the original text?

No translation is the same as the original text. But each translation gives the literary work a new dimension and form of reading.

When and where will your book be available?

My book is currently available in Europe, in the Balkans. Mostly in bookstores in Serbia and Montenegro, but I expect it to appear soon on Amazon.

Author Links: Aleksa Đukanović – Štrausov solilokvij | Presing | ŠTRAUSOV SOLILOKVIJ: 12 PRIČA – Aleksa Đukanović | Knjižare Vulkan (knjizare-vulkan.rs) | Aleksa Đukanović – Wikipedia | Aleksa Đukanović – Wikipedija (wikipedia.org) | ŠTRAUSOV SOLILOKVIJ: 12 PRIČA – Aleksa Đukanović | MAMUT