War with the Newts

Karel Capek author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Penguin Books Ltd

Published:2nd Aug '18

Should be back in stock very soon

War with the Newts cover

A darkly humorous Czech satire- a new super-breed tries to conquer the world . . .

A darkly humorous Czech satire: a new super-breed tries to conquer the world...

War with the Newts (1936) is Karel Capek's darkly humorous allegory of early 20th-century Czech politics. Captain van Toch discovers a colony of newts in Sumatra which can not only be taught to trade and use tools, but also to speak. As the rest of the world learns of the creatures and their wonderful capabilities, it is clear that this new species is ripe for exploitation - they can be traded in their thousands, will do the work no human wants to do, and can fight - but the humans have given no thought to the terrible consequences of their actions.

A great writer of the past who speaks to the present in a voice brilliant, clear, honourable, blackly funny and prophetic -- Kurt Vonnegut
His satire still packs a punch, and the storytelling is brilliant. * The Times *
Sheds remarkable light on the literature, culture and politics of the region...anyone coming fresh to the field will be captivated by the richness, variety, humour and pathos of a classic literature that, through a shared historical experience, transcends national and linguistic boundaries. -- CJ Schüler * Independent on Sunday *

ISBN: 9780241343456

Dimensions: 198mm x 130mm x 20mm

Weight: 264g

352 pages