Prague

Prague is probably one of the next cities I will visit that I have never visited before - and I don't think I have any books in my library set there.

I have read some Kundera, of course, and I read I Served the King of England by Hrabal years ago, but I don't remember much description of the city.

I will probably read Prague by Arthur Phillips eventually, but that is set in Budapest, so it doesn't really fit in here...

Any tips on good novels or short story collections that give you a feel for Prague?

The opening section of The good soldier Svejk is set in Prague during World War I. Probably not very useful as a tourist guide (unless you are interested in bars, police stations or dog-stealing), but it does give an interesting and very funny insight into the Czech perspective on the Austro-Hungarian empire...

More recently, W.G. Sebald's Austerlitz includes some scenes set in Prague, with a very detailed discussion of the architecture of the Prague City Archives.

Hm, dog-stealing...

Actually, I am considering a trip to Prague this fall or winter.
There really must be some interesting books set there.

Gustav Meyrink's The Golem, perhaps?
It's been a while since I read any Kundera now, which of his novels would be most suited?
Another book which seems interesting is Prague Tales by Jan Neruda.

Any other suggestions, anyone?

Magic Prague - both a tour and cultural history of the city. Very dense and packed with allusions that the non-Czech misses or finds puzzling.

Then there is Ivan Klima's The Spirit of Prague - five essays about the 1940s to 1990s Also check out his novels, Klima is one of the best Czech novelists and remained there while others like Kundera and Skvorecky left.

And there is always Kafka.

Douglas Skeggs has written an adventure-mystery set in Prague The Phoenix of Prague It takes place a year after "The VelvetRevolution" It is about the theft of paintings from a collection of fine art.
The is another book The Infant of Prague which is set in the US but with scenes in Prague. I haven't read it, but I think it's also a mystery adventure.
Patricia Hample has written about Prague in her memoir A Romantic Education.

John Banville's Prague Pictures seems to have gotten great reviews. This is not a novel, but a book in a very interesting series called The Writer and the City. Another book in the series has Peter Carey writing about Sydney, I see.

Prague: A Traveler's Literary Companion also seems interesting.

Ardashir, I have Prague: a Traveler's Literary Companion, and it is perhaps most appealing if you already know the city. Many of the pieces did not seem, to me, to give as great a sense of it as I'd like. Still, it was enjoyable, is probably lovely to carry with you, and contains some excellent pieces: Skvorecky, Klima, Jan Neruda, Gustav Meyrink, Hasek, Kafka, Jiri Weill others were excerpted in it. Meyrink and Hasek are especially atmospheric, I think. And I know I am forgetting things.

Much more strongly, even, I recommend Prague: A Cultural and Literary History. It's fascinating, and packed with a wealth of detail about the city, its history, its architecture, its neighborhoods, its symbols, its art and literature: all in one slim, intelligent volume. It was a boon just in reading Czech literature, and often cites the Magic Prague mentioned above.

Great as he is, I'd note comments I've read that suggest Kundera is, not only in origin but in writing, really not a Prague author.

The Banville book is very enjoyable.

Not a book but the Radio Prague site is excellent. Radio Prague

Don't bother with Prague it really isn't about Prague and I was bored stiff.

Going to Prague next week. I have borrowed Svejk, Prague Tales, The Golem and The Night of Wenceslas by Lionel Davidson at the library, and will be bringing at least two.

I also have Seven Men at Daybreak by Alan Burgess, about the assassination of Heydrich in Prague in 1942, which is an old favorite.

Have a great time! I've been wanting to go since seeing a photo of the Klementium Library.

Yes, I'm sure there is enough else to see as well, so I won't need to walk around with my nose in a book all the time. Castles and churches and bridges and sundry medieval buildings.

But what else but read could I do in the evenings in Prague?

Hey, now wait a minute...!

This one looks quite interesting: The Other City by Michal Ajvaz.

I've recently read Prague Fatale by Philip Kerr and found it very good. It's a crime thriller set partially in Berlin and in Prague during WWII. There's some limited references to the city itself (major attractions, famous hotels) and the heart of the story takes place in a residence just outside of the city, but it gives some insight into Prague's history during the war. Very interesting I have to say!
Another book I've read before visiting Prague was Gottland by journalist Mariusz Szczygiel and I absolutely loved it. Szczygiel also has another book about the Czech - Make your own Paradise. I've yet to read it but heard great things about it!