Reading lists

Pocket Penguins: our guide to which book you should read first

The Pocket Penguins are a colourful new addition to the world of classics. We wanted to share why we love each book to help you decide which one to read first

17 May 2016

The Good Soldier SvejkJaroslav Hašek, Josef Lada

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The Good Soldier Svejk by Jaroslav Hasek

Kicked out of the madhouse, certified ‘patent idiot’ Svejk goes to war in very baggy trousers and makes a complete hash of it. This Czech classic was one of my favourite discoveries as a student, with its brilliant comic illustrations and bumbling adventures. It highlights how absurdly pointless the whole business of war is, as Svejk ends up in an array of amusing altercations with various figures of authority, even managing at one point to get captured by his fellow soldiers. But beyond the comedy there’s a blackly satirical comment about conflict and war: is Svejk really just an uncontrollable idiot or the ultimate symbol of passive resistance?’

- Ingrid Matts, Head of Marketing

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