Our Balkans: The fragile heart of our Europe

Hocus Bogus Review at the Literary Saloon

Franz Kafka – The Zürau Aphorisms

In 1917 Franz Kafka went to Zürau in Czech Republic because of health problems. It was a small village placed between mountains, meadows and groves. The life there had been concentrated on growing hop-plant and the inhabitants there were mostly animals rather than humans. On the spot Kafka realized that he was caught in small zoo lead under different and new rules.

Kafka took up residence under his sister`s roof near the market place by the church. He had been living there on his own and how he wanted for eight months. Can man find better place to write aphorisms? Doubtfully.

One of his pearls sounds like this: “Crows claim that already one of them is enough to conquer the sky. Couldn`t disagree more even though it doesn`t turn towards the sky because the sky means also impossibility of crows.”

Or one more: “In the battle between you and the world – second the world”.

Summarized by Fushinha

Eduardo Mendoza – Mauricio, Choices

We already know Mendoza as the author of funny crime stories, like “The Adventures of Ladies Hairdresser”, so it`s the right time to get to know him better as a brilliant observer of Spanish society.

Mauricio, the main hero, is already known from “Adventures of Ladies Hairdresser” but this time he`s quite ordinary, a brilliant and intelligent dentist, who is induced to take part in the local government election. Mendoza forced him to do so in order to have enough reasons to show a rather merciless section of the Spanish society, of his beloved city Barcelona.

Mendoza wouldn`t be himself if if he wouldn`t mix Mauricio up in complicated romances and would force him to choose between two very attractive women. The local government selection is all in all a boring stuff, but to choose a woman and moral choices is something that rivets the reader`s attention.

Summarized by Fusinha

Pierre Mérot – Mammals

A novel of contemporary ennui, centered on uncle’s life, Mammals refers to the deformities of modern society and how people relate to them.

The mammals are the uncle’s family members, but the circle is as large as the entire society.

A dominating female that psychologically castrates her husband and uncle’s brother, fails to exercise the same powers on our main character. Not because this one is a strong individual in terms of social achievement, but because he chose to be the contrary.

A laid back individual that watches the human race doing all the tricks they were trained for. Like landing in a proper job, finding a long-term mate and paying for some small space they call apartment.

Solitaire, often unemployed, the uncle is drawn to alcohol, but he is harmless to the others. Not very often, though, he has brief episodes of envy for the normal life: a house in the suburbs, a pretty wife, kids, a dog and “some low key cancer”.

A sad novel with a funny twist, Mammals was awarded Prix de Flore 2003.

Most certainly, Mérot is not a flawless author, but is for sure refreshing after so many unsatisfying lectures picked up after reading upraising reviews.

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