Modern Czech Classics #: A World Apart and Other Stories (2nd Edition)

- Blurb -

A collection of short stories by Czech women from the turn of the twentieth century. A World Apart brings together translations of eight stories by Czech women from the turn of the twentieth century-a period of female political emancipation and impressive literary development in Czechoslovakia. Though they' re little known to an English-language public today, all of the writers featured in the book were recognized in their own day and constitute a cross-section of the literary styles of the period. Anna Maria Tilschova' s "A Sad Time" is written in a naturalist style, while R? ? ena Jesenska' s "A World Apart" presents themes and motifs that appealed to the Decadents. Helena Mali? ova' s "The Sylph" is both diaristic and satirical, whereas R? ? ena Svobodova' s ironical "A Great Passion," with its rural setting and folklore motifs, calls to mind the writings of Karel Jaromir Erben. Gabriela Preissova' s short story "Eva" may be read as a celebration of folk culture, and Bo? ena Benesova' s "Friends" is interesting for its psychological presentation of a child' s point of view and its implicit criticism of anti-Semitism. The book is accompanied by the biographies of each author and an introduction by editor and translator Kathleen Hayes.