Editors’ Pick
Designed to Feel by Peter Burchardt
Designed to Feelby Peter Burchardt — on emotions, evolution & the science of feeling
View on Amazon →
The Big Water
Literary Fiction· North Macedonia

The Big Water

by Živko Čingo
Aggregate Editorial Score30/100
Published 1971Macedonian
Buy on Amazon →

About This Book

Published in 1971, The Big Water established Živko Čingo as one of the defining voices in literary fiction. Set in a post-World War II orphanage, 'The Big Water' explores themes of loss, identity, and resilience through the eyes of a young boy. The novel is a poignant reflection on the impact of war on children and society. Živko Čingo's narrative is both haunting and poetic, capturing the innocence of youth amidst the harsh realities of life. Themes of war and its aftermath, childhood, identity run through the work.

Book Details

AuthorŽivko Čingo
Published1971
Country of Origin🇲🇰 North Macedonia
LanguageMacedonian
Category📖 Literary Fiction
Editorial Score30/100
About the Category

📖 Literary Fiction

Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

Explore all Literary Fiction books →
Country of Origin

🇲🇰 North Macedonia

This book is part of North Macedonia's rich literary tradition.

Explore books from North Macedonia →

Editorial Assessment

The Big Water by Živko Čingo sits within the tradition of literary fiction that treats language as seriously as plot. Published in 1971 in North Macedonia, it engages with war and its aftermath, childhood, identity, resilience in ways that have earned it lasting critical attention. The book's place in the literary record rests on its presence across major prize lists and critical surveys. Its aggregate editorial score of 30/100 reflects recognition from 1 independent editorial sources, from international prizes to specialist critical journals. The appeal of The Big Water lies partly in its refusal to offer easy answers. Its exploration of war and its aftermath, childhood, identity, resilience is sustained, textured, and genuinely thought-provoking in ways that stay with readers well after the final page. Within North Macedonia's literary landscape, Živko Čingo occupies a significant position. The Big Water is both a personal artistic statement and a contribution to a tradition shaped by the country's history and cultural concerns.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from 1 independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.

Awards & Recognition

Guardian 100 Best Novels
notable · regional
20030
✍️
About the Author
Živko Čingo
North Macedonia
View Author →

Živko Čingo is a North Macedonia author whose work in literary fiction has earned recognition from readers and critics alike.

The Happiness Blueprint
New Release by Peter Burchardt
The Happiness Blueprint
Your Evolutionary Guide to Joy, Purpose, and Lasting Well-Being
Happiness isn’t a destination — it’s a blueprint written in your DNA.
Get It on Amazon →Paperback & Kindle

What to Read Next

Cover of Midnight's Children
literary-fiction

Midnight's Children

Salman Rushdie· 1981
★Nobel Prize in Literature★Booker Prize
Editorial Score100/100
Cover of The God of Small Things
literary-fiction

The God of Small Things

Arundhati Roy· 1997
★Nobel Prize in Literature★Booker Prize
Editorial Score100/100
Cover of The Remains of the Day
literary-fiction

The Remains of the Day

Kazuo Ishiguro· 1989
★Nobel Prize in Literature★Booker Prize
Editorial Score100/100
Cover of The White Tiger
literary-fiction

The White Tiger

Aravind Adiga· 2008
★Nobel Prize in Literature★Booker Prize
Editorial Score100/100
Cover of The Road
literary-fiction

The Road

Cormac McCarthy· 2007
★Pulitzer Prize★Hugo Award
Editorial Score100/100
Cover of Wolf Hall
historical-fiction

Wolf Hall

Hilary Mantel· 2009
★Booker Prize★Costa Book Award
Editorial Score100/100

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Big Water about?

Set in a post-World War II orphanage, 'The Big Water' explores themes of loss, identity, and resilience through the eyes of a young boy. The novel is a poignant reflection on the impact of war on children and society. Živko Čingo's narrative is both haunting and poetic, capturing the innocence of youth amidst the harsh realities of life.

Who wrote The Big Water?

The Big Water was written by Živko Čingo, from North Macedonia. First published in 1971.

What awards has The Big Water won?

The Big Water has received the following recognition: notable critical recognition.

Is The Big Water worth reading?

The Big Water is a well-regarded book with an aggregate editorial score of 30/100 on 50 Best Books. It is particularly recommended for readers interested in war and its aftermath, childhood, identity.

Where can I buy The Big Water?

You can buy The Big Water on Amazon. Click the Buy on Amazon button above to find the best edition.

What category is The Big Water?

The Big Water is classified as Literary Fiction. Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

What country is The Big Water from?

The Big Water originates from North Macedonia's literary tradition. Explore more books from North Macedonia on our country page.

Popular on 50 Best Books

Best Science Fiction Books of All TimeScience FictionBooker Prize Winners — Complete List & GuideLiterary PrizesNobel Prize in Literature — Every Winner Since 1901Literary PrizesClassic Literature Reading List — 50 Essential BooksReading GuidesBest Books for Beginners — 20 Easy Reads for New BookloversReading Guides

Explore More

📖More Literary FictionBrowse all Literary Fiction books🇲🇰Books from North Macedonia🇲🇰 North Macedonia literature📅1970s BooksPublished in the 1970s🏆Top 50 RankingsThe greatest books of all time