In his new novel, one of the most entertaining and eccentric Czech writers has reached the pinnacle of divine madness and narrative opulence.

Literary fiction

Petr Stančík has made a name for himself in Czech literature through his narratively ingenious, delightful and carefully constructed books. The author employs the techniques of the detective or mystery novel, which he then deconstructs or subverts. Stančík’s latest novel also starts off with a search. The main character, Planet, has been sent to find treasure in a dystopian Prague, which is ruled over by Artificial Thought and the “dustmen”. However, this serves more as a backdrop for various narrative ideas, word games, and descriptions of bizarre culinary experiences. Although the novel touches on current themes, such as the reception of queer people, it is principally a celebration of storytelling and literary games.

Petr Stančík (1968) entered the world of literature under the pseudonym Odillo Stradický ze Strdic; since 2007 he has been publishing under his real name. His work for adult readers includes the tale of the first Czech superhero Pérák (The Spring Man, 2008) and the gastronomic/pornographic/philosophical thriller Mlýn na mumie (Mummy Mill, 2014), for which he was awarded the 2015 Magnesia Litera Award. His books for children include the juvenile horror story Mrkev ho vcucla pod zem (A Carrot Sucked Him Underground, 2013) and a series of tales about Chrujda the Badger. He also wrote the historical monograph Kaple Božího Těla a Krve a Bratrstvo obruče s kladivem (The Chapel of the Body and Blood of Christ and the Brotherhood of the Hoop and Hammer, 2015) about the defunct Temple of Solomon in the centre of Prague’s Old Town. His most recent novel is Zasvěcení temnotou (Initiation by Darkness, 2024).