Anthology, Drama, Other

The book is published on the occassion of the author’s anniversary and was originally conceived as a present by her husband, writer Pavel Kohout. Birthday editions are pretty common and their longevity usually dissipates shortly after the launch party. Such is not the case here, readers won’t receive a VIP invite to a garden party in honour of the writer upon purchasing the book. The birthday present is the voluminous book itself, leaving the reader in awe of Jelena Mašínová’s writing. Her name has appeared alongside Pavel Kohout in connection with joint literary and film projects but her work has remained largely undiscovered. The literary qualities and breadth of Skrytá hvězda Jelena Mašínová (Jelena Mašínová the Hidden Star) is Mašínová’s long overdue entrée into Czech literature. Thus this book charters and reminds us of the hidden star – Jelena Mašínová.