The Experience of a Frontier Man Who Weaves into His Historical Literary Production

Abstract

This paper examines the parallels between two books: Il male viene dal Nord and Quando Dio uscì di chiesa by Fulvio Tomizza. Although the books appear quite distinct at first glance, one being a historical novel and the other prompting discussions among researchers regarding its literary genre, both share a common theme—the experiences of frontier individuals. These works portray Istrian Lutherans from the 16th century and are linked through the character of Koper’s bishop Vergerio. Vergeri’s life mirrors the plight of twentiethcentury Istrians who faced exile. The persecution, imprisonment, and forced exodus endured by Istrian Lutherans echo the trials faced by individuals like the narrator’s father in the 20th century, following the Second World War. Set in the Istrian peninsula, a place marked by conflicts between Latins, Slavs, and Germans according to Živko Nižić, the story captures the struggles of these groups. Tomizza, through his micro-history approach, pays homage to minority populations residing in border regions, illustrating the violence they endured across history. As a frontier man himself, Tomizza profoundly comprehends their suffering, skillfully weaving this experience into a tapestry of high-quality literature that has earned international acclaim.