Introducing VRIJEME OTKRIVANJA!

Counting down to Croatian Publication day in June ’22. The Znanje team have produced a beautiful cover for the translated edition of The Telling Time which translates to: “When it’s time to tell or reveal”.

The decision to feature the ubiquitous Bougainvillea in full bloom is an inspired one too. I love how this plant with its bright, colourful ‘paper flowers’ has its very own secret at heart . . .  and it’s one that’s perfect for a novel that transports readers from one side of the world and back again.

Apparently, the first European to describe the plants was Philibert Commerçon, a botanist accompanying the French admiral and explorer Louis Antoine de Bougainville during his voyage to circumnavigate the globe in the mid-1700’s.

But the first European to observe this plant was actually a woman, Jeanne Baré, Commerçon’s assistant and lover. She too was an expert in botany but being of the fairer sex wasn’t allowed on the ship. Not to be deterred she disguised herself as a man in order to accompany Commerçon — this means she also became the first woman to circumnavigate the globe.

Korčula’s terracotta roof tiles also feature. Luisa described these as “strutting down to meet the harbour” and Gabrijela would be delighted that her beloved clear blue sea and New Zealand’s native palms also feature. 

I’m delighted too. I can’t wait to join in all the excitement and meet the Znanje team when I visit Zagreb in early June.