Prose
As in Topol’s previous work, here the quest for traces of history again becomes enmeshed in a surreal carnivalesque plot. The laconically narrated story is an archeology of horror, with layer upon layer revealing the territory of 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 stories about the violence, which they understand to be the last anchor of authenticity – and 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. On his journey to the mass graves of East Europe, ethically ambiguous questions are raised and the seemingly stable basis of our historical self-perception is shaken almost unintentionally with gentle irony. Published in Czech by Torst in 2009. Jáchym Topol received the Jaroslav Seifert award for this novel in 2010. Published by Torst in Czech 2009. Spanish review.
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
L’Atelier du Diable French
The Devil's Workshop English
Warsztat diabła Polish