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In Europe, taking a walk is a cultural phenomenon having an almost mystical import. It connects physical activity with meditation, silence within amid the tumult without. Of Kids & Parents is about a father and son taking a walk through Prague, over the course of which their personal lives are revealed as entwined with the past sixty years of upheaval in their small corner of Europe.
A prostitute wakes up one morning to discover that her boyfriend has tattooed obscene messages all over her body; a woman hesitantly goes back to her new boyfriend’s flat, only to find it packed with toy soldiers and intricately reconstructed war scenes; a retired pilot flaunts his wealth by keeping pets in the lap of luxury. Whether evading the expectations of adult life or finding themselves drawn to people by whom they’re simultaneously repulsed, the characters in this compilation hold a mirror up to the peculiar failings of masculinity. But as they carouse, argue, philosophize, and binge their way through the streets of Prague, they also offer the reader stark moments of insight and pathos.
A prostitute wakes up one morning to discover her boyfriend has tattooed obscene messages all over her body... A woman tentatively goes back to her new boyfriend’s flat, only to find it packed with toy soldiers and intricately reconstructed war scenes... A retired pilot flaunts his wealth by keeping pets in the lap of luxury — a gold chain for his goat, even stranger indulgences for his dog... The men in Emil Hakl’s fiction are, like the title of one story, oddballs. Whether evading the expectations of adult life, or finding themselves drawn to characters they’re simultaneously repulsed by, each one holds a mirror up to the peculiar failings of masculinity. But as they carouse, argue...
Decapolis is a book which imagines the city otherwise. Bringing together ten writers from across Europe, it offers snapshots of their native cities, freezing for a moment the characters and complexities that define them. Ten cities: diverse, incompatible, contradictory in everything from language to landscape. In Amsterdam every Friday night, a lonely woman cooks for her men, a circle of middle-aged bachelors. In Barcelona, a self-regarding poet tries to capture the essence of the city in an eleven-word lyric. In Reykjavik, an unemployed journalist wanders through the deserted buildings of the newspaper he once wrote for. In all cases, these are cities in states of transition: Zagreb in the ...
Literary texts and buildings have always represented space, narrated cultural and political values, and functioned as sites of personal and collective identity. In the twentieth century, new forms of narrative have represented cultural modernity, political idealism and architectural innovation. Writing the Modern City explores the diverse and fascinating relationships between literature, architecture and modernity and considers how they have shaped the world today. This collection of thirteen original essays examines the ways in which literature and architecture have shaped a range of recognisably ‘modern’ identities. It focuses on the cultural connections between prose narratives – th...
This book is both a sequel to author John Taylor's earlier volume Into the Heart of European Poetry and something different. It is a sequel because this volume expands upon the base of the previous book to include many more European poets. It is different in that it is framed by stories in which the author juxtaposes his personal experiences involving European poetry or European poets as he travels through different countries where the poets have lived or worked. Taylor explores poetry from the Czech Republic, Denmark, Lithuania, Albania, Romania, Turkey, and Portugal, all of which were missing in the previous gathering, analyzes heady verse written in Galician, and presents an important poe...
An history that presents a canvas of post-war Czech literary developments within the cultural and political context of the times. It provides information about the many English-language translations from Czech literature, and the circumstances in which these translations came about.
From a leading voice in the vibrant literary scene of today's Czech Republic, a love story rooted in the atrocities of the past and tethered to fading hopes for the future Set in Czechoslovakia between the 1940s and the 1990s, Tomás Zmeskal's stimulating novel focuses on one family's tragic story of love and the unspoken. Josef meets his wife, Kveta, before the Second World War at a public lecture on Hittite culture. Kveta chooses to marry Josef over their mutual friend Hynek, but when her husband is later arrested and imprisoned for an unnamed crime, Kveta gives herself to Hynek in return for help and advice. The author explores the complexities of what is not spoken, what cannot be said, ...
This much-needed guide to translated literature offers readers the opportunity to hear from, learn about, and perhaps better understand our shrinking world from the perspective of insiders from many cultures and traditions. In a globalized world, knowledge about non-North American societies and cultures is a must. Contemporary World Fiction: A Guide to Literature in Translation provides an overview of the tremendous range and scope of translated world fiction available in English. In so doing, it will help readers get a sense of the vast world beyond North America that is conveyed by fiction titles from dozens of countries and language traditions. Within the guide, approximately 1,000 contem...
Lonely Planet's Pocket Prague is your guide to the citys best experiences and local life - neighbourhood by neighbourhood. Amble through the winding alleys of the Old Town, explore magnificent Prague Castle, and find the best coffee and cake; all with your trusted travel companion. Uncover the best of Prague and make the most of your trip! Inside Lonely Planet's Pocket Prague: Up-to-date information - all businesses were rechecked before publication to ensure they are still open after 2020s COVID-19 outbreak Full-colour maps and travel photography throughout Highlights and itineraries help you tailor a trip to your personal needs and interests Insider tips to save time and money and get ...