Babička – Němcová Božena (2021)

Grandmother by Božena Němcová, subtitled Pictures from Rural Life, is among the foundational works of our literature. It was first published in 1855, and in it, Němcová used not only her own childhood memories from the Ratibořice Valley but also her knowledge of folk traditions and customs. The author wrote Grandmother during a very difficult period in her life, after the death of her son Hynka. The poetic images of the Ratibořice Valley and the Proškovic household were a source of comfort and joy for her, and they have a similar effect on readers. Perhaps that is why Grandmother became the second most popular book in the reader survey 'The Book of My Heart.' The grandmother arrives at the Old Bleaching House to visit her daughter and her family, becoming a respected and admired figure for everyone around her with her wisdom and kindness. Gradually, even people from the castle, including the princess Zaháňská herself, begin to listen to the grandmother. Němcová created a peaceful narrative around the grandmother, who lives in harmony with nature and people, with a series of 'pictures' capturing rural life in an idealized form throughout the year. Yet, even that has its dramatic stories, such as the sad fate of the mad Viktorka, who is tragically in love and driven to madness by her love. The narrative flows calmly and freely, in the repeating rhythm of village life. Perhaps...