- Paperback: 784 pages
- Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd; New edition edition (27 July 2000)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0141184280
- ISBN-13: 978-0141184289
- Product Dimensions: 19.6 x 13 x 3.4 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 779,727 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Product Description
Hasek's most important work was centered around the deeply funny story of a hapless Czech soldier in the Austro-Hungarian army -- dismissed for incompetence only to be pressed into service by the Russians in World War I (where he is captured by his own troops). A mischief-maker, bohemian and drunk, Hasek demonstrated his wit in this classic novel of the Czech character and preposterous nature of war.
About the Author
Jaroslav HaA ek (1883-1923) Besides this book, the writer wrote more than 2,000 short works, short stories, glosses, sketches, mostly under various pen-names.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The funniest book ever?,
By MR GERRET LORENZEN (South Ockendon, Essex United Kingdom) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Good Soldier Svejk (Everyman's Library Classics) (Hardcover)
If I were born again, I would happily be Svejk.On the face of it, this simpleton dog seller from Prague has nothing going for him. Even the dogs he sells are mongrels, made up to look like pedigrees (with fake certification, naturally). As the story progresses, you find he is not only intelligent, but uses dumb ignorance to get his way. From almost starting a riot in Wenceslas Square, to being lost by his officer in a card game, to being captured by his own troops, the scrapes Hasek creates for his hero will make you laugh out loud. Don't be scared if you think the setting is outdated, the footnotes are excellent in explaining the context. I guarantee you will recognise many of the characters in people you have met. One word of warning though. Hasek died while writing this masterpiece. Literally in mid paragraph. Its frustrating, but makes you wonder, what if....
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The brutality of war is brought home in this hilarious tale.,
By A Customer
This review is from: The Good Soldier Svejk (Everyman's Library Classics) (Hardcover)
Svejk, a man who sells dogs for a living in Prague after being discharged from the army for stupidity is an instantly likeable character. His escapades throughout the war however depict a man able to very cleverly use his reputation for idiocy to avoid the frontline. Along the way he meets numerous characters which the author uses well to display his disdain for religion, royalty, the army, politicians and authority in general. This is a tale of the ordinary man and his ordinary acquaintances who happen to be unwilling participants in an horrific event in world history. The book is very long indeed and there is a section in the middle where nothing seems to happen and can be hard work. The book however pulls itself together as Svejk and his companions are herded towards the frontline and where Svejk's crowning glory is to be captured by his own army. Overall Svejk is the star and while his comical and often ludicrous stories frequently amount to nothing, they do give a feel for the lives of the average Czech at the time.This book is well worth a go, you may give up on it as some people I know have but if your a fan of stories depicting the small man doing his best to resist against the big machine then you'll enjoy Svejk.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Hasek is a master of parody and farce,
By A Customer
This review is from: The Good Soldier Svejk and His Fortunes in the World War (Twentieth Century Classics) (Paperback)
THis is a piece of WW1 fiction with a differnce. It like the rest is portarying the nastiness of war. Yet Hasek does this in a fashion where he does not expose the horrors that undoubtedly occured,he merely shows the absurdity of war, the ridiculous nature of bureaucracy and for me reminicses about the sheer irony of life. I think that in one sense this book can be compared to another great czech writer, Kafka in that it shows the individual up against this faceless system which seems to mercilessly persectute a person for being themselves. This theme is evident in both the writers works. However whist Kafka seems to dwell in a pit of self absorbtion and shivering paranoia Hasek laughs at it, shameless mocking the entire concept. The value of the book rests however on the pure enjoyment one gains from reading it, the smirking laughter it induces and the broad grins are in reality the sole reason to read this brilliant book.
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