Prague Tales

Jan Neruda, Czech poet, novelist, essayist and journalist (1834-1891) was both radical and European in outlook. Born of a poor family in 1834, he knew at first hand the life he evoked in Prague Tales. The stories in this collection date from the 1860s and 70s and reflect Neruda’s enthusiasm for feuilletons, vivid sketches on the border between journalism and fiction.

• Introduction by Ivan KlímaA Week in a Quiet House In Night ClothesMost of the House Begins to StirAt Home with the LandlordA Lyrical MonologueBachelorhood is BlissA Manuscript and a Storm CloudFragments from the Notes of a ScrivenerAt the FuneralFurther Proof of the PuddingIn a Moment of AgitationA First Attempt at FictionFive Minutes after the RecitalAfter the DrawA Happy FamilyThe Week Draws to a Close Mr Ryšánek and Mr SchlegelA Beggar Brought to RuinThe Tender Heart of Mrs RusEvening ChitchatDoctor SpoilerThe Water SpriteHow Mr Vorel Broke in His MeerschaumThe Three LiliesThe St Wenceslas MassHow It Came to PassWritten This Year on All Souls’ DayFiguresNotes

“How often is a reviewer privileged to make so marvellous a discovery?”