Stalo se prvního září (nebo někdy jindy) – Rankov Pavol (2010)

The plot of the novel takes place between 1938 and 1968. It captures the fates of three friends striving for the love of one woman. Their stories are depicted by Rankov against the backdrop of pivotal historical events - Munich, World War II, the communist coup in February 1948, the political trials of the 1950s, and the attempt at reforms followed by the Soviet occupation in August 1968. No historical catastrophe, nationality, or faith could destroy the friendship of these men, even though they stood against each other as rivals in love. On September 1, 1938, they meet at a swimming pool to compete for the love of the beautiful Mária. Their "battle" then continues for another thirty years along with Slovakia's struggle for a place in the history of Europe. What Happened on September 1 is a novel about love, if a higher power allows it.