Počátky Konce nylonového věku aneb Smutek v zemi socialismu
Beginning of The End of the Nylon Age; or, Sorrow in the land of socialism

Summary/Abstract: Josef Škvorecký completed the first version of the novel Konec nylonového věku [End of the Nylon Age] in 1950. In view of the historical circumstances at that time, publication of the book did not enter into consideration, but in 1957 Československý spisovatel publishers included the manuscript in their publication plan. After the censors intervened, however, the book again failed to come out and did not get to readers until 1967. This study and edition of the work primarily compares the book form of the novel with the oldest typewritten version, which is nowadays housed at the Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library in Toronto. To some extent the author also considers the 1957 version, from which, however, only a few textually unreliable fragments remain in the censor’s writings. Although when Škvorecký was preparing the book version in 1957 and 1967 he was unable to recall the social and political circumstances at the time, a comparison of both versions is particularly telling with regard to the author’s development. The experience that he acquired through working as an author, translator and editor was reflected in the final version. The plot and motif lines of the text remain more or less the same, while changes are evident primarily at the stylistic and lexical levels which lead to greater emphasis on and precision in the personal perspective of the narrative. Changes in the names of the chief protagonists are primarily noticeable in view of the development which they then undergo through the author’s subsequent novels.

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