The art historian Dr. Kristina Sabaliauskaitė is currently the most widely read Lithuanian author with a biggest print runs and the biggest acknowledgement abroad – her historical novels 'Silva Rerum' are bestselling not just in Lithuania, but also across the borders – in Latvia and especially in Poland, where they have attracted unprecedented readers' following, rave reviews and was shortlisted for the final of ANGELUS Central European Literary prize in 2016.

In Lithuania the 'Silva Rerum' tetralogy of historical novels (2008-2016), set in 1659-1795, is considered to be the most important literary event of the last decade. Almost 150 years of the country's history is told in fates of four generations of one noble family, simultaneously depicting the cultural and philosophical panorama of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth amd Europe.

Both in Lithuania and abroad the books by Kristina Sabaliauskaitė sometimes attract comparisons with Umberto Eco and Gabriel García Márquez due to their intellectual and sensual values, though at the same time emphasizing that her prose is a phenomenon in its own right and a completely unique literary voice. Sabaliauskaitė has a PhD in art history and she is capable of entwining a profound academic knowledge and a refined, rich and innovative literary language thus creating a mesmerising narrative which engulfs the reader. The critics note the paradox – her prose is very intellectual and multilayered, but at the same time it is a captivating page-turner.

The subjects that come up in her novels and short stories are identity, memory, history and the confrontation of an individual with the happening of historical events as well as the shared dimensions of European history. This probably answers why 'Silva rerum' novels with their multinational characters and their wide geography – which encapsulates not only Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, but also Germany, the Netherlands, France and England – attract such a wide readers' following.

Awards:

Jurga Ivanauskaitė literary award, 2008 (Silva Rerum)

Shortlisted by the Institute of Lithuanian Literature among the twelve most creative books of 2008 (Silva Rerum)

Book of the Year 2009 in Lithuania (Silva Rerum)

Officially listed in 2010 among the 10 most memorable Lithuanian books of the past decade (Silva Rerum)

The Statue of Saint Christopher, the highest award from the Vilnius City Municipality, for reflections of Vilnius in literature, 2011 (Silva Rerum, Silva Rerum II)

Latvian translation by Dace Meiere shortlisted for the Translation of the Year in 2011 and awarded the Ventspils Silver Inkpot prize for the Best Translation in 2012 (Silva Rerum)

Book of the Year 2011 in Lithuania (Silva Rerum II)

In 2014 Silva Rerum and Silva Rerum II were voted among The 100 Favourite Books of All Times by Latvian readers

In 2015 listed by the Lithuanian PEN club among the 10 most significant books of the past decade (Silva Rerum, Silva Rerum II, Silva Rerum III)

2015 The Liudas Dovydėnas literary prize for best novel (Silva Rerum III)

Listed by programme "Z najwyższej półki" among the 30 most important books of 2015 published in Poland (Silva Rerum)

Shortlisted for "Angelus" Central European Literary prize 2016, Poland (Silva Rerum)

Bibliography:

Silva Rerum, a novel, - Vilnius, Baltos Lankos, 2008.
Silva Rerum II, a novel, - Vilnius, Baltos Lankos, 2011.
Danielius Dalba & kitos istorijos, collection of short stories, - Vilnius, Baltos Lankos, 2012.
Silva Rerum III, a novel, - Vilnius, Baltos Lankos, 2014.
Silva Rerum IV, a novel, - Vilnius, Baltos Lankos, 2016.

Translations:

Latvian:
Silva Rerum, - Riga, Apgads Zvaigzne ABC, 2010.
Silva Rerum II, - Riga, Apgads Zvaigzne ABC, 2012.
Silva Rerum III, - Riga, Apgads Zvaigzne ABC, 2015.

Polish:
Silva Rerum, - Krakow, Znak, 2015.

English:
Vilnius. Wilno. Vilna. Three Short Stories, - Vilnius, Baltos Lankos, 2015.