We Were a Handful
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We Were a Handful
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See moreA favourite work of Czech humour, We Were a Handful depicts the adventures of five boys from a small Czech town through the diary of Petr Bajza, the grocer’s son. Written by Karel Poláček at the height of World War II before his deportation to Auschwitz in 1944, this book draws on the happier years of Poláček’s own childhood as inspiration.
As we look upon the world through Petr’s eyes, we, too, marvel at the incomprehensible world of grownups; join in fights between gangs of neighbourhood kids; and laugh at the charming language of boys, a major source of the book’s humour.
This translation at last offers English-language readers the opportunity to share in Petr’s (and Poláček’s) childhood and reminds us that joy and laughter are possible even in the darkest times.
Series: Modern Czech Classics
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INFORMATION
ISBN: 9788024632858
Publisher: Karolinum,Nakladatelstvi Univerzity Karlovy,Czech Republic
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 14 October 2016
Country: Czechia
Imprint: Karolinum,Nakladatelstvi Univerzity Karlovy,Czech Republic
Edition: Classroom Edition
Contributors:
- Translated by Mark Corner
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 1.0mm
Width: 13.0mm
Height: 19.0mm
Weight: 170g
Pages: 400
About the Author
Karel Polacek (1892 1944) was a Czech novelist and journalist. Of Jewish descent, he was transported to several concentration camps during World War II before dying at Gleiwitz. Mark Corner is a translator, author, and lecturer in religious and European studies who lives and works in Brussels.
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