At the turn of the 20th century, Prague emerged as a cultural nexus, with German, Czech, and Jewish cultural influences giving rise to a vibrant artistic and intellectual scene. This eclectic atmosphere profoundly shaped the city's literary landscape, stimulating the emergence of movements like expressionism and surrealism. Franz Kafka, born and raised in Prague, drew inspiration from the city's ornate architecture, winding streets, and complex social dynamics, weaving them into the surreal and introspective landscapes of his iconic works. 100 years after his death, readers across the globe continue to learn from and be inspired by Kafka’s life and works.
The Book
Jiří Gruša, Franz Kafka aus Prag. Frankfurt am Main: S. Fischer Verlag, 1983. Paperback, 126 pp.
Language: German.
Illustrations
Illustrated throughout in black and white with photographs and a map on the last pages. Jiří Gruša has juxtaposed photos of the city as Franz Kafka saw it with shots he made in the 1980s, had quotes and descriptions assigned to them, thus creating a field of tension between Kafka's time and the city as it was in the 1970s and early 1980s. Kafka's view of his world is depicted in Grusa's present.
The author
Jiří Gruša (1938-2011) was a Czech writer, poet, translator, dissident, and diplomat. He started writing and publishing in the 1960s, founding two literary journals in the CSSR that were banned in het 1960s. Gruša faced persecution for his critical works during the Prague Spring and subsequent repression. He was banned from publishing and had to work in a construction cooperative. Despite adversity, Gruša continued publishing, signing Charta 77, and receiving international recognition for his writings. In 1981 his citizenship was revoked, and between 1982 and 1990 he lived in Germany in the vicinity of Bonn.
Gruša's works span poetry, novels, novellas, and anthologies, often circulated clandestinely before wider publication. He translated Rilke, Celan and Kafka into Czech. His diplomatic career included ambassadorial roles and leadership in literary organizations, earning him numerous awards for his contributions to literature and human rights.
Condition
Very good. Although there is a stamp on the inside of the back cover that says 'Mangelexemplar' (Defective copy), there are no missing pages, double pages or visible print and binding defects. The spine is straight and intact. The edges are clean. The inside is clean, and clear. Upper left corner bruised. Upper right corner bumped. The back cover is sunned but not as severely as most other copies offered online.