Books to read before trip to Prague

Well, one book you need to read is Metamorphosis, by Franz Kafka. Kafka was a Czech writer who lived in Prague, and many people say the book is an allegory of life in Prague for the Jews. Also a good read if you like (or are horrified by) insects!! :-)

Here is a link to a site that has a list of movies shot in the Czech Republic as well:
http://www.myczechrepublic.com/czech_culture/filming_locations.html

Jesse

Metamorphosis is certainly an option, but if I was going to read one book by Kafka before going it would be 'The Castle'. I always assumed it was completely drawn from Kafka's imagination before going to Prague and realising how much the castle dominates the city.

While I was there I really enjoyed 'Prague - a cultural and literary history' by Richard Burton. Clearly written background for the non-specialist.

On the advice of Czech friends I also read Ivan Klima's 'Waiting for the Dark, Waiting for the Light', a novel set in and around the Velvet Revolution of 1989. found it really interesting.

Czech friends also say that Hasek's 'Good Soldier Svejk' is a telling insight into the Czech mentality, but I find it heavy going. Perhaps the comedy loses something in translation?

Alan

Hi! There are tons of great Fiction books that would set the stage for a trip to Prague. Off the top of my head, I'll list a few authors to start you off. Franz Kafka, Milan Kundera, Arnost Lustig,Ludvik Vaculik (A Cup of Coffee With My Interrogator), Vaclav Havel and Ivan Klima. There are many more lesser known Czech authors, as well, but I find all the aforementioned to be great writers, if a little dark and heavy at times. Of course, given the history they lived through, that's more than understandable.

The Unbearable Lightness of Being, of course is wonderful, and Kafka is a must. I liked the Metamorphosis, but I didn't like The Trial. While not a book, consider renting Kolya, too.