Krysař, Loď bláznů – Veličková Helena (2025)

Two novellas, each from a different era, share a common leitmotif: the pride and arrogance of those who believe they are stronger than fate, and their unfortunate end in the sea waves.

The Ratcatcher loosely follows the medieval legend of a man who could drive rats out of towns and human settlements with his magical pipe. In this novella, it is portrayed quite differently than, for example, Viktor Dyk did in his famous novella The Ratcatcher. It is not as mysterious, it feels human and rather positive. He has his plans and wants to achieve them in an honest way. The greed and disdain of the councilors, who used his services and then wanted to get rid of him, ultimately force him into an action that destroys the entire city. The story set at the turn of the 17th and 18th centuries opens the theme of collective guilt, but also the unpredictable fate that brings the sins of the ancestors "to the third and fourth generation," as it is written in the Bible.

The Ship of Fools, set at the end of the 19th century, also connects to a medieval theme, often artistically processed, but approaches it in a completely original way. It depicts the psychology of the "golden youth," who live at the expense of their wealthy parents and have no other ambitions than to enjoy life and have fun. The voyage on the ship is a welcome adventure, yet dissatisfaction leads to a constant...