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jonvarner's review against another edition
5.0
The most engrossing book I've read in a long time. I knew a bit of the cultural history of Czechoslovakia--mainly through the plays and essays of Vaclav Havel--but these stories provide a broader perspective. And regardless of the subject matter, the prose is remarkably engaging, even in translation. This is literary nonfiction at its finest.
annieinthearchives's review against another edition
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
eush's review against another edition
5.0
Szczygiel is a Pole writing about the old Czechoslovakia (and the present-day Czech Republic), and while I'm not sure about the nuances of that, this is an engaging book about people just trying to live through the — well, Kafkaesque — times they were in, when there's never a list of people whose names you can't say, but you're supposed to intuit it; when the man commissioned to design a gigantic statue of Stalin really, really doesn't want the job but gets it anyway, to his demise; when a writer is imprisoned for 15 months in solitary confinement, only to find that there was never a record of her arrest and is told that she might have just made it up. It's funny, tragic, absurd, and smart, exploring what it's like to live under totalitarianism and the choices, or lack thereof, that people had to make.
romcsa's review against another edition
5.0
Jedna z najlepších vecí, ktoré som tento rok prečítala. Bolo to zábavné, bolo to poučné, bolo to tragické aj komické, úsmevné aj depresívne. Myslím, že toto je kniha, kde si každý nájde to svoje. Pre mňa bol určite najlepší príbeh Stalinovho pamätníku v Prahe, ktorý výborne vykresľuje absurdnosť režimu.
bill369's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
I was searching for a book describing communism when I found Gottland.
The character who made the biggest impression on me was Marta Kubišová. I had no idea about what she's been through. Truly praiseworthy. What a legend!
A set of tellings about well-known Czech people of the 20th century. Many historical facts that many have no idea about. Such a terrific and didactic book!
Page 63, why should I be afraid?
„A ničeho se nebojíte?“ „A čeho bych se bál?“ diví se chalupník upřímně. A pak dodává: „Paní, člověk může umřít jen jednou. A když umře trochu dřív tak je holt o trochu dýl mrtvej.“
Page 111, an exception.
„(...) Člověk nemůže brát na každého vlastní měřítka. Na lidi, které jsem milovala, mám jiná měřítka.“
– Lenka Procházková
Page 139, the only normal place in communistic ČSSR.
„(...) Uvědomila jsem si, že psychiatrická klinika je v Československu jediné normální místo, protože tam všichni můžou beztrestně říkat, co si doopravdy myslí.“ – Eda Kriseová
Page 192, why are we silent?
Jde k výslechu – a zmizí. Prostě nikde není a nikdo o něm už neslyšel. Celý šestý ročník medicíny čeká na promoci a ani nedutá. Nikdo se ničemu nediví. „Proč mlčíme?“ ptá se Jarka (pozn. Jaroslava Moserová). „Asi proto, že nějak moc lidí mizí,“ říká kamarádka.
I didn't have any strong feelings about the ends of the tellings.
I'm glad I read this book. I learned a lot.
The character who made the biggest impression on me was Marta Kubišová. I had no idea about what she's been through. Truly praiseworthy. What a legend!
A set of tellings about well-known Czech people of the 20th century. Many historical facts that many have no idea about. Such a terrific and didactic book!
Page 63, why should I be afraid?
Page 111, an exception.
– Lenka Procházková
Page 139, the only normal place in communistic ČSSR.
Page 192, why are we silent?
I didn't have any strong feelings about the ends of the tellings.
I'm glad I read this book. I learned a lot.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Forced institutionalization and Stalking
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury and Antisemitism
Minor: Child death, Abortion, Infertility, Pregnancy, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Cancer, Cursing, Police brutality, Racism, and Suicide
pajacynka's review against another edition
4.0
Ta książka to zbiór naprawdę niesamwocie ciekawych historii napisana językiem, który wzbudza wiele emocji. Perełka.
kingkong's review
3.0
Why didnt he write about all the good things communism had done for the Czech Republic
leeahsmestad's review
5.0
What a fascinating book! I traveled to Czech two years ago and found it to be so peaceful and serene - but as a true American traveler I did no research on the country before. I had no idea how corrupt, sad and twisted things were even a decade ago. Absolutely awesome read!