books in english
There is no greater joy than to share what you love with those who appreciate it
Cruel Summer
A novel published in English by Bernard Jan, Zagreb, 2021. Kindle Edition, February 28, 2021, ASIN: B08X6JZKRM, ISBN: 978-953-59581-6-1. Paperback, March 8, 2021, ISBN: 978-953-59581-7-8.
Originally published in Croatian as Okrutno ljeto by Dvostruka duga, Čakovec, 2014, ISBN 978-953-287-154-8. Unpublished in English.
All he wants to do is skate. But they have other plans for him.
Michael Daniels is seventeen and dreams to enter professional skateboarding contests. But beneath New Manhattan, a city under the oppressive shadow of climate change, exists another world altogether—secret laboratories which threaten society as he knows it.
Those with power will get what they want. No price is too high, even if it means making someone special or robbing them of their dignity, freedom . . . or life.
The price is too high for Michael, though. He has endured his stepfather’s abuse and mind games for almost as long as he remembers. Until one day he takes matters into his own hands, ruining the lives of those he loves most. And his skateboarding friends, Alien and Victor, are his only hope for freedom.
When there is no hope left, friendship is what remains.
If you like emotional stories, authoritarian dystopias, and fearless friendships, you’ll love Bernard Jan’s gripping young adult drama.
Buy Cruel Summer to enter this chilling world now.
A World Without Color
A novella published in English by Bernard Jan, Zagreb, 2017. Kindle Edition, July 1, 2017, ASIN: B071FTK9HV, ISBN: 978-953-59581-0-9. Paperback, September 13, 2017, ISBN: 978-953-59581-1-6.
Originally published in Croatian as Svijet bez boja by Epifanija, Zagreb, 2008, ISBN 978-953-7077-08-2.
Marcel was not only Bernard’s cat; he was his everything. His brother, his friend, his whole world. And then he was gone.
One story. Two endings. Genuine and fictional. Which ending is yours?
What do you say to someone who is dying? And what do you say when that someone can't understand a word you are saying? How do you comfort each other throughout . . . and beyond?
My love, if you go away in a few days, the world will lose its colors and darken like the land of Mordor. If you go away and leave me to wander aimlessly, alone . . . I'm afraid I won't survive.
With nothing else left except for heartbreak and the world of darkness, how do you survive when suicide seems to be the only way out after losing your beloved pet?
If you like powerful stories, heart-rending emotions, and honest characters, you’ll love Bernard Jan’s compelling memoir.
Buy your copy of A World Without Color written in the form of a heartfelt and moving novella.
Look for Me Under the Rainbow
A novella published in English by Bernard Jan, Zagreb, 2018. Kindle Edition, April 15, 2018, ASIN: B07C7JGMNG, ISBN: 978-953-59581-2-3. Paperback, May 9, 2018, ISBN: 978-953-59581-3-0. First published by Minerva Press, London, 1998, ISBN 1-86106-831-X.
Originally published in Croatian as Potraži me ispod duge by Naklada Slon, Zagreb, 1993, ISBN 953-6203-01-4; Genesis, Zagreb, 2004, ISBN 953-6785-23-4 ; Katarina Zrinski, Varaždin, 2008, ISBN 978-953-236-160-5 and Katarina Zrinski, Varaždin, 2015, ISBN 978-953-236-241-1.
Sometimes all you need is a big heart and burning desire.
Danny, a curious harp seal pup, has soft white fur and black innocent eyes. Helen is an environmentalist and member of a young activist crew of the Rainbow Warriors. Their mission is to save animals.
As winter turns into spring, a new generation of seal pups comes to life. A few weeks later, the killing begins. Against a spectacular backdrop of ice and snow, Helen prepares to look horrific human cruelty in the face.
I do not doubt I have a big heart and burning desire, but is that enough for a person to become a Rainbow Warrior, or is there something better? Something only some of us manage to turn into what we have long missed—humanity.
In the race against time and clubs, will Helen save Danny before the hunt begins?
Though written for younger readers, Look for Me Under the Rainbow will appeal to anyone who cherishes our beautiful planet and wishes to protect its treasures.
Buy this book and experience a pure emotional journey.
For years Look for Me Under the Rainbow has been listed in a program for elementary schools in Croatia as a reading of choice for seventh graders.
January River
A novel published in English by Bernard Jan, Zagreb, 2020. Kindle Edition, April 3, 2020, ASIN: B086LJJC8V, ISBN: 978-953-59581-4-7. Paperback, April 20, 2020, ISBN: 978-953-59581-5-4.
Originally published in Croatian as January River by Epifanija, Zagreb, 2007, ISBN 978-953-7077-07-5 .
Five friends. One dog. One river carrying a secret that will upheave their world.
When one of Ethan’s friends goes missing, everything comes crashing down for his group of childhood friends in the small town of Greenfield. Ethan takes it hard. Only his brother and his beloved dog can comfort him. Until another tragedy shakes his world and leaves it in a heap of ruins.
Desperate for a fresh start and a new lease on life, Ethan follows his brother to The Big Apple. But even when he meets the woman of his dreams and his career takes off, he is plagued by the dread of another looming loss that could take it all away. Will his reconciliation with the past come at too great a price?
All rivers carry their secrets, but not every river keeps its secret forever.
January River is a moving coming-of-age story spanning the lifetime of one man haunted by dark secrets and hidden memories. With a faithful dog as his guiding star, join his journey in the pursuit of healing and forgiveness.
Buy January River to dive into the mystery of this sweeping story of friendship, guilt, and the power of love!
Postcards From Beyond Reality: The Selected Poems of Michael Daniels
A poetry book published in English by Bernard Jan, Zagreb, 2022. Kindle Edition, March 20, 2022, ASIN: B09TYXSPS3. Paperback, March 17, 2022, ISBN: 978-953-59581-8-5.
Originally published in Croatian as Razglednice s one strane stvarnosti - Odabrane pjesme Michaela Danielsa by Hrvatska akademija znanosti i umjetnosti, Forum, mjesečnik razreda za književnost Hrvatske akademije znanosti i umjetnosti, Year XXXXII. Book LXXIV. No. 1-3. Zagreb, Spring 2003, ISSN 0015-8445.
His life has been a cocktail of melancholy, sorrow, and desire. When a skateboarder dips his pen into poetry, what will his passion create?
After a lifetime of abuse and the tragic loss of his mother, NYC teen Michael Daniels needed an outlet. Despite his cheerful nature, his inner mind was teeming with the stark contrast of darkness and light. So, in this volume full of imagery and symbolism, his underground rhymes reflect days full of extreme sports, failed relationships, and nostalgic memories.
Written by Bernard Jan in character as the hero from his novel Cruel Summer, this channeled view of the world is an extravaganza of extremes. And in its groundbreaking perspectives, you’ll discover the cries of a heart longing to be understood.
Buy this book of poetry and feel Michael’s passion through these unusual literary postcards.
