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Table of Contents
About the Book
National Bestseller * Dazed Best Book of the Year
Spanning twenty years and one life-altering summer in Croatia, Slanting Towards the Sea is at once an unforgettable love story and a powerful exploration of what it means to come of age in a country younger than oneself.
Ivona divorced the love of her life, Vlaho, a decade ago. They met as students at the turn of the millennium, when newly democratic Croatia was alive with hope and promise. But the challenges of living in a burgeoning country extinguished Ivona’s dreams one after another—and a devastating secret forced her to set him free.
Now Vlaho is remarried and a proud father of two, while Ivona’s life has taken a downward turn. In her thirties, she has returned to her childhood home to care for her ailing father. Bewildered by life’s disappointments, she finds solace in reconnecting with Vlaho and is welcomed into his family by his spirited wife, Marina. But when a new man enters Ivona’s life, the carefully cultivated dynamic between the three is disrupted, forcing a reckoning for all involved.
Set against the mesmerizing Croatian coastline, Slanting Towards the Sea is a cinematic, emotionally searing debut about the fragile nature of potential and the transcendence of love.
Spanning twenty years and one life-altering summer in Croatia, Slanting Towards the Sea is at once an unforgettable love story and a powerful exploration of what it means to come of age in a country younger than oneself.
Ivona divorced the love of her life, Vlaho, a decade ago. They met as students at the turn of the millennium, when newly democratic Croatia was alive with hope and promise. But the challenges of living in a burgeoning country extinguished Ivona’s dreams one after another—and a devastating secret forced her to set him free.
Now Vlaho is remarried and a proud father of two, while Ivona’s life has taken a downward turn. In her thirties, she has returned to her childhood home to care for her ailing father. Bewildered by life’s disappointments, she finds solace in reconnecting with Vlaho and is welcomed into his family by his spirited wife, Marina. But when a new man enters Ivona’s life, the carefully cultivated dynamic between the three is disrupted, forcing a reckoning for all involved.
Set against the mesmerizing Croatian coastline, Slanting Towards the Sea is a cinematic, emotionally searing debut about the fragile nature of potential and the transcendence of love.
Reading Group Guide
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Why is Ivona so fixated on Vlaho's life after their divorce? What does this reveal about her character and her regrets?
How does the novel explore the themes of Dalmatian identity, tradition, and the pull of "home"? Consider the significance of the sea, the olive groves, and the bura wind.
Analyze the complex relationships within Ivona's family, particularly her relationship with her father and brother. How do these relationships shape her choices and her sense of self?
Discuss the theme of unrealized potential in Ivona's life. What factors have contributed to her current situation, and how does she grapple with her past aspirations?
What role does Frana play in Ivona and Vlaho's relationship and eventual divorce? How does the secret they share impact their interactions?
How does Marina's character challenge or subvert typical portrayals of "the other woman"? What does Ivona's relationship with Marina reveal about her?
Explore the symbolism of olive oil and olive cultivation in the novel. How does it connect to themes of tradition, heritage, and Ivona's personal growth?
Discuss the theme of honesty, both with oneself and with others. How do Ivona's moments of honesty and deception shape her relationships and her understanding of herself?
What is your interpretation of the novel's ending? Does Ivona find a path towards a more fulfilling future?
Enhance Your Book Club
Nostalgia and Regret: The novel is imbued with a sense of nostalgia for the past and regret over missed opportunities. Discuss how these emotions drive Ivona's actions and her internal conflicts.
The Weight of the Past: The characters are constantly grappling with the weight of their past experiences, both personal and historical. How does the novel explore the impact of history on individual lives?
Female Identity and Societal Expectations: Ivona struggles with societal expectations for women in Croatia, particularly regarding career, marriage, and motherhood. Discuss how the novel challenges or reinforces these expectations.
Love and Loss: The novel explores different forms of love – romantic love, familial love, and love for one's homeland – and the pain of loss in its various manifestations.
Additional Resources
Ivan Meštrović: Research the life and work of this Croatian sculptor, whose quote opens the novel.
Dalmatian History and Culture: Explore the history and culture of the Dalmatia region of Croatia to gain a deeper understanding of the novel's setting and themes.
Homeland War: Research the Homeland War (Croatian War of Independence) and its impact on Croatian society.
How does the novel explore the themes of Dalmatian identity, tradition, and the pull of "home"? Consider the significance of the sea, the olive groves, and the bura wind.
Analyze the complex relationships within Ivona's family, particularly her relationship with her father and brother. How do these relationships shape her choices and her sense of self?
Discuss the theme of unrealized potential in Ivona's life. What factors have contributed to her current situation, and how does she grapple with her past aspirations?
What role does Frana play in Ivona and Vlaho's relationship and eventual divorce? How does the secret they share impact their interactions?
How does Marina's character challenge or subvert typical portrayals of "the other woman"? What does Ivona's relationship with Marina reveal about her?
Explore the symbolism of olive oil and olive cultivation in the novel. How does it connect to themes of tradition, heritage, and Ivona's personal growth?
Discuss the theme of honesty, both with oneself and with others. How do Ivona's moments of honesty and deception shape her relationships and her understanding of herself?
What is your interpretation of the novel's ending? Does Ivona find a path towards a more fulfilling future?
Enhance Your Book Club
Nostalgia and Regret: The novel is imbued with a sense of nostalgia for the past and regret over missed opportunities. Discuss how these emotions drive Ivona's actions and her internal conflicts.
The Weight of the Past: The characters are constantly grappling with the weight of their past experiences, both personal and historical. How does the novel explore the impact of history on individual lives?
Female Identity and Societal Expectations: Ivona struggles with societal expectations for women in Croatia, particularly regarding career, marriage, and motherhood. Discuss how the novel challenges or reinforces these expectations.
Love and Loss: The novel explores different forms of love – romantic love, familial love, and love for one's homeland – and the pain of loss in its various manifestations.
Additional Resources
Ivan Meštrović: Research the life and work of this Croatian sculptor, whose quote opens the novel.
Dalmatian History and Culture: Explore the history and culture of the Dalmatia region of Croatia to gain a deeper understanding of the novel's setting and themes.
Homeland War: Research the Homeland War (Croatian War of Independence) and its impact on Croatian society.
About the Author
Photograph © Suzy New Life Photography
Lidija Hilje is a Croatian novelist and certified book coach. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times and other outlets. After ten years of trying cases before Croatian courts, she obtained a book coaching certification and has been working professionally with writers ever since. She lives in Zadar, Croatia, with her husband and two daughters. Slanting Towards the Sea is her first novel.
Product Details
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster (July 8, 2025)
- Length: 336 pages
- ISBN13: 9781668078693
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Raves and Reviews
"Oh, what a beautiful book this is—deeply felt, humane, gorgeously written. Hilje’s prose is positively hypnotic— I sunk in and didn’t want to come up for air.” — Claire Lombardo, New York Times bestselling author of The Most Fun We Ever Had
"A novel of extraordinary heart. One of the most moving and evocative debuts I have had the pleasure of reading." — Madelaine Lucas, author of Thirst for Salt
“Readable enough for the beach, but compelling and knotty enough to keep you hooked for hours – this might just be your favourite book of the year.” — Service95
“Artful, intensely moving, and unforgettable in every way.” —Thao Thai, author of Banyan Moon
"Thoughtful, compelling, and refreshing in its clear-eyed, assured style." — Kimberly King Parsons, author of We Were the Universe
"Illuminating prose and gripping storytelling. A love letter to Croatia and to anyone who dares to dream." — Nguy?n Phan Qu? Mai, internationally bestselling author of The Mountains Sing and Dust Child
"This thoughtful debut considers how we make a life from what we are given, even when it is not what we asked for." — Amy Lin, author of Here After
“With nuanced characters, Slanting Towards the Sea is a novel of family and the love that shapes us.” — Booklist
"The author beautifully portrays Ivona’s grief, heartache, and determination to reinvent her life. Fans of Rachel Cusk will love this." — Publishers Weekly
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