Barbora Hédová Książki

Erben compiled and wrote A Bouquet based on his studies of Slavic folktales and folk songs. First published in 1853, it is dotted with murder and mayhem : graves opening and the dead walking the earth, the animate becoming the inanimate and vice versa, ogres and monsters of lake and wood, human transformations reminiscent of Ovid's Metamorphoses. Written as ballads, Marcela Sulak's new translation perfectly captures the cadence and rhythm in an English that is fresh and energetic. Through the years A Bouquet has come to be regarded as a masterpiece and wellspring of inspiration to artists of all stripes, including Antonín Dvořák, who composed a series of symphonic poems to some of these tales. Of the many illustrators who have contributed to the various editions that have appeared over the past century and a half, Alén Diviš's artwork is generally considered the most powerful. This edition also includes Erben's own notes explaining the origins of many of these tales.

"Robinson Crusoe" tells the story of a young man who defies his parents' wishes to pursue a life at sea, leading to a shipwreck that leaves him stranded on a deserted island for 28 years. The novel explores themes of survival, self-reliance, and the human spirit's resilience in the face of adversity. Crusoe's solitary existence forces him to confront his own beliefs and values, reflecting on his relationship with God and the nature of civilization. Throughout his time on the island, he learns to cultivate the land, build shelter, and create a life for himself, ultimately encountering a native man whom he names Friday, with whom he forms a complex bond. The narrative serves as an allegory for personal and societal development, delving into the implications of colonialism and the moral dilemmas of civilization. Defoe's work has sparked extensive literary criticism and analysis, influencing countless writers and thinkers across centuries, making it a foundational text in English literature.