Prague Tales

A collection of Jan Neruda's intimated, wry, bitter-sweet stories of life among the inhabitants of Mala Strana, the Little Quarter of nineteenth century Prague. Prague Tales is a classic story whose influence has been acknowledged by generations of Czech writers.

Jan Neruda, Czech poet, novelist, essayist and journalist (1834-1891) was both radical and European in outlook. Born of a poor family in 1834, he knew at first hand the life he evoked in Prague Tales. The stories in this collection date from the 1860s and 70s and reflect Neruda's enthusiasm for feuilletons, vivid sketches on the border between journalism and fiction.

Introduction by Ivan Klíma, A Week in a Quiet House, Mr RyŠánek and Mr Schlegel, A Beggar Brought to Ruin, The Tender Heart of Mrs Rus, Evening Chitchat, Doctor Spoiler, The Water Sprite, How Mr Vorel Broke in His Meerschaum, The Three Lilies, The St Wenceslas Mass, How It Came to Pass, Written This Year on All Souls' Day, Figures, Notes