Just my curiosity seeping out: anyone happen to have read this book by the cartoonist/animation specialist (married to head of Barrandov Studios, Zdenka Deitchova) which came out less than 10 years ago? Read it about two years ago and have re-read extremely hilarious excerpts since. During our trip, I actually found his byt and dropped a tiny note in his box, trying to express my gratitude for his having written the memoir, and when I returned to CA, there was actually an email from him in my inbox! If anyone has any great insights/thoughts/comments re: book, please do write. Best, Jana[/u]
:shock: Hey now.. how come nobody has responded to this great lead-in? You mean to say that no one has read the book? I found it absolutely fascinating.. so much so that now, I am penpals with the author! Gene's perspective of Praha in its communist days and all of its evolution (causing Praha to be a city of layers) has helped me to see and appreciate the land and to love it. It has helped, too, to deepen a sense of awe for the history, the pain, the unknown, and the triumph that this city now knows. For example, did you know that behind Tynsky chram, there was once the only privately owned shop to exist during Communist times.... owned by Eduard Capek? It was a bazaar more than anything else. And now his grandson (I think) owns the shop and it has relocated to Dlouha street! I've been patiently awaiting someone's insight and opinion and hope that it will be forthcoming! Much love, Jana
Hi-- I read Gene Dietch's book after I had read Alan Levy's Rowboat to Prague, later published as So Many Heroes--a book I highly recommend (and you might Google for links to Alan Levy, long with The Prague Post and who, sadly, died this past spring. While Dietch's book is certainly interesting, it often struck me as being somewhat self-promoting. (I know how vague that sounds--and without the book at hand, I can't offer specifics--only memory of my impression). At any rate, for those who've developed attachments to Prague, both books will take you deeper into the city and culture at a crucial point in history. Enjoy!
