"From Barbie to Vibrator"
In her debut novel, Ana introduces us to a glittering world of ambitious, self-confident and fun-loving young women. Her short, partially fictive, partially autobiographical episodes talk about friendships, career, sex and parties. Yet more importantly, they talk about the metamorphosis that takes place as we see Ana turning away from the posh life of a Barbie doll and move towards a conscious orientation on the self – even without a “Mr. Right” in background. Ana is portraying and questioning a generation that got lost in their freedoms and possibilities while hastily chasing mainstream priorities. This highly entertaining collection of short stories analyses one whole generation, a system and, most importantly, the self.
Czernin Verlag, Vienna (2009) and Profil, Zagreb (2008)
Praise for "From Barbie to Vibrator"
"I love the title. Feminism is the subject of her first novel. [Ana writes] about how complicated it is to be a (thinking) girl in the XXIst century. I agree: it must be difficult and painful. Maybe that’s why her book is so funny. She had no choice but to laugh about herself."
—Frédéric Beigbeder
"Good rhythm, good points… The right to communicate your opinion, the right to contraception and abortion, the right to a good education, to earn good money and have opportunities in life, to wear good shoes, and have sex with handsome men – this is applied feminism!"
— Playboy
"In her stories, Ana navigates her characters through coming-of-age with confidence and without censorship."
— In Style
"Titoland: A More Equal Childhood"
In “Titoland”, Ana portrays Yugoslavia in the ‘70s and ‘80s. Driven by Tito’scharisma and political skills, the country managed the impossible: a balance between East and West, Communism and Capitalism. What appear to be loosely connected childhood memories of Summers on the seaside, travels to “the outside,” or the happiness of wearing a self-made (and therefore unique) dress, create a rich literary tableau before the backdrop of the gradual collapse of Tito’s Empire. Ana’s childhood does not end abruptly, but breaks up painfully, piece-by-piece, like the country in which she lives. What follows is a leap into the unknown.
Czernin Verlag, Vienna ( 2012) and V.B.Z, Zagreb (2013)
Praise for "Titoland"
"One devours this thin book...this is just how such stories should be told: not by feigning profundity, but...by appearing lighter than they are. This is how they turn into poetry. Ana Tajder commands her voice brilliantly. A beautiful book."
— Robert Misik, TAZ
"A thoughtful childhood memory, which resurrects a now seemingly unreal time of optimism about the future."
— Falter
“Ana describes her socialist childhood with great energy and depth, but also with unbelievable economy, without verbosity. The most impressive pages in this little book are the ones where Ana masterfully describes her hospital traumas. This is a real handbook on patience and suffering, truly moving to the core.”