Prose
As in Topol’s previous work, the quest for traces of history again becomes enmeshed in a surreal carnivalesque plot. The laconically narrated story presents an archeology of horror, with layer upon layer revealing the recent European past. As the last members of the generation to have lived through it all die out, Topol shows how their descendents struggle to preserve the violent stories, which they understand to be their last anchor in authenticity – but they flounder in the machinery of commerce, musealization and politics. Topol succeeds admirably in not simplifying and not throwing all values onto a postmodern scrap heap of history.
More infromation in French here.
Information about the original Czech edition
Other selected published translations (8)
Kallt land Swedish
Die Teufelswerkstatt German
De werkplaats van de duivel Dutch
Gjennom et kaldt land Norwegian
L'officina del diavolo Italian
The Devil's Workshop English
Por el país del frío Spanish
Warsztat diabła Polish