{"title":"Leopold Lahola","description":"\u003cp\u003eExplore the intriguing world of \u003cem\u003eLeopold Lahola\u003c\/em\u003e, an author whose works offer a unique lens into historical events through the power of fiction. With an ability to intricately weave narratives that capture the human spirit amidst the backdrop of history, Lahola's storytelling provides readers with both an educational and emotionally engaging experience.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHis notable work, \u003cstrong\u003eThe Last Thing\u003c\/strong\u003e, serves as a testament to his mastery in crafting historical fiction. This book immerses readers in compelling stories that delve into the complexities of human relationships during pivotal historical moments.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePerfect for enthusiasts of historical fiction, Leopold Lahola's collection invites you to journey through time while reflecting on the timeless themes of resilience, identity, and the human condition. Discover the captivating tales that bring history to life, making it accessible and relevant to today's readers.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"the-last-thing-by-leopold-lahola-9788024660417","title":"The Last Thing","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAn English translation of Slovak Jewish writer Leopold Lahola's collection of short stories that face the atrocities and paradoxes of World War II.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSlovak Jewish writer Leopold Lahola was able to escape deportation to a concentration camp and fight in the resistance, only to find himself forced into exile by the postwar communist regime. He emerged from obscurity during the brief thaw of the Prague Spring, when he was able to return to his homeland and thrive as a playwright and film director. It was also in 1968 that his short story collection \u003cem\u003eThe Last Thing\u003c\/em\u003e appeared in Slovakia. The collection's title proved sadly prophetic, with the author suffering a fatal heart attack in January 1968, just before his 50th birthday and as his short stories finally appeared in book form.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe nine stories which make up \u003cem\u003eThe Last Thing\u003c\/em\u003e range from the prewar rise of fascism and its dangers for the Jewish community, through the concentration camps and the partisan fight against the Germans, concluding with the devastating awareness of all that had been lost and destroyed in the war. Lahola is a master of writing outside of conventional tropes, exploring moral ambivalences where others work within the comforts of good versus evil. He punctures the standard historical image of the partisan fighters by depicting their heroism along with their cruelty and pettiness, while also showing how often bravery and madness, kindness and stupidity can coexist. Lahola has written a World War II story collection whose translation will offer not only a compelling read but starkly new perspectives on the tragedy and grandeur of that momentous time in history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Unknown","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46871540203756,"sku":"9788024660417","price":43.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/4593623485045.jpg?v=1759883626"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.live\/collections\/leopold-lahola.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}