Serbian writer Pavic dead at age 80

BELGRADE, Serbia, Dec. 20 (UPI) -- Serbian author Milorad Pavic, known for his non-linear approach to story-telling, died at the age of 80 in Belgrade, Serbia, his Web site reports.

The New York Times said Sunday, citing the report on khazars.com/en, that Pavic died on Nov. 30 of complications of a heart attack, ending a career that included novels such as "Dictionary of the Khazars: A Lexicon Novel in 100,000 Words."

Pavic offered "male" and "female" versions of "Dictionary," his first novel, with the two texts differing only in a single paragraph.

The author said in a 1988 interview that readers should not attempt to own both editions of his most famous work.

"That's like incest," he said. "If you have chosen the male or female version, read it and then find somebody who has the other."

Among Pavic's other notable literary works were "The Inner Side of the Wind: Or, The Novel of Hero and Leander" and "Last Love in Constantinople: A Tarot Novel for Divination."

The Times said Pavic is survived by wife, Jasmina Mihajlovic; his daughter, Jelena; and his son, Ivan.