Signum laudis – Mikolášková-Kořenská Eva (2019)

The book Signum laudis presents the authentic memoirs of rural doctor MUDr. Jan Kořenský (1886–1971), who participated in battles on the southwestern front during World War I. He returned from the war with two high military decorations, Signum laudis, each from a different emperor. The first from Franz Joseph, the second from his successor, Emperor Charles. After the war, he returned to Bernartice in South Bohemia, where he resumed his practice as a rural doctor. This memoir-style factual prose is written in the form of dialogue and brings nostalgia as well as elements of humor. The charm lies in the atmosphere of evenings when the old gentleman, nearing the end of his life, reads by the fireplace in his study or in the autumn garden. His conversations with his granddaughter are marked by sadness for the time that has passed and the people who have already left. It begins with his childhood, continues through his student years, describes his participation in the Balkan War and then in World War I, where he served on the staff of Archduke Eugen. In 1918, he happily returned home to his work and to his family, his wife, and his firstborn son.