4. Czech Republic

"The Good Soldier Svejk" - Jaroslav Hasek. Translated by Cecil Parrott. Most compare the Good Soldier Svejk to Catch 22 (Joseph Heller) and they are not wrong: it is a riotous and ridiculous send up of war and military pretensions. Starting with the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, we follow ordinary Private Svejk through various … Continue reading 4. Czech Republic →

3. Belgium

"War and Turpentine" - Stefan Hertmans. Translated from Flemish: David McKay This was a sweet, nicely written account of one man's life, Hertmans' Grandfather - Urbain - based on, inspired by and transcribed from Urbain's memoirs, feverishly written at the end of his life and entrusted to Hertmans for publication. Hertmans' narrative goes further than … Continue reading 3. Belgium →

2. Croatia

"Girl at War" - Sara Novic. I generally wanted to read the books in some form of chronological order, but almost immediately after starting my reading list I had to pick a title for my local book group and that came with responsibilities, not least that the book should be easy for everyone to get … Continue reading 2. Croatia →

1. Austria

"The World of Yesterday", Stefan Zweig. Not being overly familiar with continental authors I had not heard of Stefan Zweig until I began researching books to read for Austria. His harrowing memoir, The World of Yesterday, seemed the ideal entry into a European reading list: charting the demise of old nineteenth century Vienna and the … Continue reading 1. Austria →