This ebullient, gallivanting novel encapsulates the world vision of the Czech Republic's best-loved author in one tumbling, breathtaking sentence. Saints and sinners, emperors and embezzlers, barmaids and balalaikas all play their part in the bawdy reminiscences of Hrabal's cobbler as he charms an audience of young beauties. The beauty of Hrabal's book is how he is able to make this tightly-wound object move...what Hrabal has created is an informal history of the indomitable Czech spirit. And perhaps...the human spirit * The Times * First-hand experience informs Hrabal's work with a wonderful detail, irascibility and charm * Los Angeles Times * Hrabal has invented some of the most memorable characters in world literature * Los Angeles Times *
Dancing Lessons for the Advanced in Age