Closely Watched Trains

Closely Watched Trains | Bohumil Hrabal, Edith Pargeter, Josef Škvorecký

pick

#readaroundtheworld #czechrepublic This novella takes place near the German/Czech border at the end of WWII. Hrabal uses the simple language of fables to combine absurd yet touchingly human situations with the ghastliness and horrors of war. The Nazi are held accountable as are the average German citizens but young lovers, trains and pigeons round out this glimpse of Czech life.

Simona, rockpools, sprainedbrain, batsy, TorieStorieS, BookwormM, BarbaraBB

rockpools Sounds really good! (Pigeons always help!) 3y

15 likes1 stack add1 comment

CaitZ

Closely Watched Trains | Bohumil Hrabal, Edith Pargeter, Josef Škvorecký

pan

I hate to say this, since this book is considered a classic of Czech literature, I didn't like it. It's dark humor is just not my style. Or maybe it's because I read it tonight while trying not to stress over the election.

#ReadingEurope2020 #votedearlyreadathon @Librarybelle @BarbaraBB @howjessreads

BarbaraBB I wasn‘t too much of a fan either. But hey, it‘s another country ticked off. And your elections are killing me too. I just wake up in shock upon seeing how many people still vote for DT. (edited) 4y

Librarybelle Yes - at least another country checked off the map! 4y

33 likes1 stack add2 comments

BarbaraBB

Closely Watched Trains | Bohumil Hrabal, Edith Pargeter, Josef Škvorecký

#BookReport 26/20

Four books this week, all okay reads, nothing really special. But it may be me. Five star reads seem to get sparser each year. I‘m longing for one!

Cinfhen

Cinfhen Some days I feel extra generous, but 5 star reads shouldn‘t come by so quickly. 5y

MargaretPinardAuthor I agree @cfinhen! 5y

BarbaraBB @Cinfhen Okay, I‘ll settle for a 4 star read đź€@MargaretPinardAuthor 5y

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Crazeedi I keep 5 stars for outstanding, 4 stars is a great rating imo 5y

Megabooks I might actually give ducks 5âď¸Ź. It‘s actually pretty amazing so far. Also, I‘m more likely to give a NF book 5âď¸Ź. 5y

BarbaraBB @Crazeedi Me too. How often do you read a 5 star book? 5y

BarbaraBB @Megabooks I feel I have to read those 1000 pages too... You‘re doing Ducks on audio isn‘t it? I might consider that too. Regarding NF: I hardly read any. I don‘t know why. I do listen to NF podcasts though. 5y

Megabooks I‘ve noticed you rarely read NF. I used to rarely read novels! I like stream of consciousness better on audio, then again, I‘m a native English speaker. Idk if you have a better ear or eye for English? I‘m 2x speeding it and getting in about 7 book hours or 3.5 listening hours a day, which is about average for me. 5y

BarbaraBB @Megabooks I rarely do audio either. I have no subscription so my only audiobooks are free ones (public domain mostly). I sometimes can manage 1.5x speeding but 2x would be too hard working for me, I think I‘d lose track. It must be great if you can though, you get so much reading time done that way!! 5y

Liz_M @Megabooks Yes! đź¤ đź¤ đź¤ 5y

Crazeedi @BarbaraBB I'd say I might have 4 or 5 in a years time, just depends but definitely not even monthly 5y

Crazeedi @BarbaraBB @Megabooks I rarely do audio, keep thinking I should as I'm out working in garden. But I mostly listen to podcasts so I'm ok with that. I like NF but it has to be well written or a subject I'm really interested in. I like biography and such, and certain NF writers are automatic picks 5y

69 likes12 comments

BarbaraBB

Closely Watched Trains | Bohumil Hrabal, Edith Pargeter, Josef Škvorecký

so-so

â€śThe more immorality and hedonism, the less cradles and the more coffins!â€ť

MiloĹˇ Hrma is a railroad apprentice in German-occupied #Czechoslovakia who after a suicide attempt flees into fantasy to face a reality filled with cruelty. He thinks he may be impotent, but when his manhood is affirmed he shows himself to be a man who‘s able to stand up against the Nazis.

#1001books #SummerFun #BookToMovie #ReadingEurope2020 đź‡¨đź‡ż #LitsyBitsy #Water

Cuilin, Librarybelle, StayCurious, alisiakae, caittfin

charl08 Wow. I love that cover (and the windmills). 5y

BarbaraBB @Meaw_catlady @Clwojick Also this counts for #ReadYourSign â™Źď¸Ź published between October 23 and November 23! 5y

BarbaraBB @charl08 I really like this cover too! 5y

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TrishB That‘s a great pic đź‘ŤđźŹ» 5y

Librarybelle Love your photo! 5y

Cinfhen What a great book cover â›µď¸ŹđźŹ–đź›¶â™Ąď¸Ź (edited) 5y

squirrelbrain Love all the windmills! 5y

erzascarletbookgasm It‘s such a fun cover and I like the view. đź‘Ť 5y

TobeyTheScavengerMonk I had no idea this was a book! It is one of my favorite movies! 5y

Cuilin đź’¦đź‘Ť 5y

BarbaraBB @TobeyTheScavengerMonk Then you should really read the book. And I must watch the movie! 5y

LeahBergen I love this cover! 5y

79 likes3 stack adds12 comments

timthemute

Closely Watched Trains | Bohumil Hrabal, Edith Pargeter, Josef Škvorecký

pick

Rampant sexual miserableism in Nazi-occupied Czechoslovakia- but never mind that... trains! The author bio reads: â€śhe fell to his death from the fifth floor of a Prague hospital, apparently trying to feed the pigeonsâ€ť

2 likes1 stack add

BooksAtNight

Closely Watched Trains | Bohumil Hrabal, Edith Pargeter, Josef Škvorecký

Impromptu snow day readathon!

13 likes

Liberty

Closely Watched Trains | Bohumil Hrabal, Edith Pargeter, Josef Škvorecký

I've decided to change up my reading this afternoon, and am going to knock out a few slim books. I now pronounce today "Stack Friday." ????

StacksNShelves I should do this today and the rest of the weekend. Thanks for the inspiration, Liberty! 8y

Liberty @StacksNShelves I find it to be a great way to fix my inability to concentrate while simultaneously feeling like I'm getting a lot accomplished. đźŠ 8y

mcipher What a good idea! Great way to spend a long holiday weekend. đź“š 8y

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Nuwanda Good idea! I think I'll pick a shortie or two to pick up next! 8y

RanaElizabeth Let us know when you get to the Kiese Laymon. I loved Long Division and always thought it needed more attention.

Long Division

Graciouswarriorprincess Great idea!! 8y

Shvonne Ooh. This is a great idea 8y

quirkyreader Short stories are the best during the holidays. 8y

hwheaties "A few." You are my reading spirit animal I swear. 8y

Zelma I went a similar route and have been reading only comics since Wednesday. âť¤ď¸Ź 8y

Leanney There need to be more lists of quick reads for long weekends!! 8y

187 likes4 stack adds11 comments

Epiphanoter

Closely Watched Trains | Bohumil Hrabal, Edith Pargeter, Josef Škvorecký

The best of the best by Bohumil Hrabal.

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