A novel about a successful middle-aged father’s emotional journey with his son, who recently lost his mother.
Literary fiction
“I have lived. Who can say that about themselves?” is how the narrator and main character assesses his life at the end of Martin Vopěnka’s novel. It is the story of a man who lacks fulfilment despite his relative wealth. After suddenly finding himself alone with his eight-year-old son Benjamin, he decides that in order to face the task ahead, he will have to make significant changes. Therefore they set off on a holiday trip together — a journey to nowhere. The novel is a travel diary on two levels. Using the backdrop of several European countries (Greece, Italy, Bulgaria) and the adventures experienced by the two, it offers insight into the human soul.
More information in Polish here.
Praise
“One of the strong points of Vopěnka’s new novel is how readable it is. The author skilfully combines insights into psychology and travel, philosophical themes and adventurous episodes”
—Libuše Valentová, A2 9/06
Information about the original Czech edition
Other selected published translations (3)
In viaggio con Benjamin - verso la sperdutezza Italian
Meine Reise ins Ungewisse German