This thesis focuses on Josip Jurčič’s novel Sosedov sin (The Neighbor’s Son), tracing its trajectory from its creation in 1868 through its reception in literary scholarship to present-day interpretations. We begin by examining one of the possible motives for the novel’s genesis (while recognizing that any work ultimately stems from the author’s creative impulse), namely Fran Levstik’s review of Jurčič’s The Tenth Brother – the first Slovenian novel – and its “influence” on the writer from Muljava. We provide a detailed analysis of Levstik’s widely known letter and compare it with the views of several literary historians who have engaged with this issue in depth: Ivan Prijatelj, Jože Pogačnik, Matjaž Kmecl and Urška Perenič. The latter two also authored influential monographs on Jurčič (Zgodnji Jurčič kot zapisovalec in večerničar [The Early Jurčič as Recorder and Evening-Story Writer] and Pripovednik svojega in našega časa [A Storyteller of His and Our Time]).
The following section discusses Jurčič’s role in the almanac Mladika and considers the author’s difficult living conditions. Particular attention is given to Levstik’s critical writings, while among more recent scholarly perspectives we highlight the contributions of Ivan Grafenauer, Gregor Kocijan and Miran Hladnik.
The second part of the thesis is dedicated to the reception of Sosedov sin, which we divide into contemporary responses and later reception, the latter encompassing especially its treatment in literary studies. We devote particular attention to the nationwide celebrations of Jurčič’s jubilee year, as well as to reprints, scholarly articles, and academic monographs. In documenting the reception of the novel, we also draw on the archives of Radiotelevision Slovenia (RTV 356), with special focus on radio broadcasts, television features, and podcasts devoted to the topic. Furthermore, we examine the websites of Slovenian cultural institutions (Cankarjev dom, SNG Nova Gorica, SNG Ljubljana and SNG Maribor, among others), explore audiobook platforms such as Audibook and Audible, and consult relevant sources in the Digital Library of Slovenia and the COBISS catalogue.
The thesis concludes with a graphical timeline of »references« (in the broadest sense of the term) to Sosedov sin, demonstrating both the continued presence of the work and the enduring relevance of its author, born in Muljava. This ongoing recognition was reinforced in particular by the proclamation of 2021 as the nationwide »Year of Josip Jurčič«.
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