Karel Čapek by William E. Harkins

“In the future it will not be possible to do criticism and research about Čapek without first fully taking into account Professor Harkins’ contribution. Using all available sources, he presents the main facts of Čapek’s life and then analyzes his works one by one, in chronological order. Everywhere there is evidence of thorough research... The strength of this study lies in its comprehensiveness, the copious summaries of individual works, and the carefully considered comments about them... [an] excellent study.” — Slavic Review “This is a book which every admirer of Čapek will warmly welcome. Although much has been written about this excellent Czech writer, long studies are still scarce — and this is the first full-length book on him in English... W. E. Harkins’s analysis is clear and systematic... a valuable and stimulating book... the book has a pioneering value.” — The Slavonic and East European Review “[A] pioneering work... Professor Harkins’ sparing, judicial use of historical data has contributed towards making the monograph compact, balanced, and readable. He has skillfully compressed a complex subject matter within the compass of a fairly short volume... The publication of this monograph is an event of importance for Czech studies in general and for American Czech studies in particular. In it there is presented an objective and original interpretation of the nature, variety, and relevance of Čapek’s literary accomplishment which will, undoubtedly, be the source of inspiration for future scholarship in the field of modern Czech literature.” — The Slavic and East European Journal “Professor Harkins traces the line of Čapek’s thought in a systematic account and has given us a brilliant work of literary criticism... This reviewer, being a Czech, wishes to express to Professor Harkins his thanks for a study which goes deeply into the problems of Czech literature and the Czech people... Harkins has given to the foreign reader a very fine picture concerning the state of Czech literature in the years of Čapek’s literary growth.” — Books Abroad “Professor Harkins visited Prague, spoke with Čapek’s widow and other relatives, interviewed his closest friends, examined important documents, and immersed himself in Čapek’s prose, plays, and novels. The resulting work is unsurpassed in the completeness of its information.” — Osteuropa “[A] compelling view of Čapek’s development as an artist and thinker... a penetrating discussion of a major European writer, whose three major motifs [Professor Harkins] aptly sums up in the conclusion. They are: total destruction, man’s condition of siege, and his anxiety — indeed, some of the most relevant themes of contemporary fiction... Čapek is an important writer, and this is an important and a readable book. It is also the first full-length study in English of Karel Čapek.” — The Polish Review