Josef Škvorecký

[fasstrack]

I read The Bass Saxophone after a friend turned me on, and really dug it. The preface was a classic---with all the Nazi regulations about suitable music. There was another book following the adventures of that same group of jazz-struck teens, not sure of the title. I also at least looked through his first novel---the one that got him in hot water---The Heroes, I think.

Anyway, I lost track of Skvorky. What's become of him? Still in Canada? Did he go home? Written anything lately?

Anyone know? Any other fans?

[fasstrack]

Bump. Don't want this to get buried. Anyone know?

[7/4]

Is this the guy?

[Bright Moments]

Is this the guy?

yes

[fasstrack]

Is this the guy?Seemingly, yes, that's him. I hope he's alive and well. Probably the post-Havel era in the Czech republic welcomed him back, but one never assumes. I wonder if he's back there or still in Canada---where he went in apparent self-imposed exile after the Communist regime made life too hard for him. To hear him tell it in the notes preceding one of his novels he had been relegated to anonymously writing mystery novels and just decided he had had enough.

I'm curious where the story picks up after his years in Canada.........

[JSngry]

It says he retired. Maybe he fishes a lot, plays cards with his buddies, and works part time as a greeter at Wal-Mart.

Hey, why not?

[7/4]

Born in 1924, Škvorecký's taking it easy.

:rsmile:

[fasstrack]

Born in 1924, Škvorecký's taking it easy.

:rsmile:

I dig. Nice work if you can get it....

Thanks.

[Larry Kart]

This one is from 2003:

http://www.amazon.com/When-Eve-Was-Naked-S...3288&sr=1-7

and another is to be published later this year, though I can't tell whether that will be new material or a collection of older things.

[medjuck]

I saw Josef in Toronto in the fall. He used to make trips to The Czech Republic where he is a cultural hero, but he's feeling his age and his wife Zdena says he's kept too busy by his many fans there. When he first was able to return to his native country they used to put on jazz concerts for him.

If you liked The Bass Saxophone (and I'm proud to say the English translation is dedicated to me-- though you have to turn to the story itself to see the dedication as it's not in the front of the book) I'd recommend the novel The Swell Season and the short story Eine Kleine Jazzmusik which can be found in a couple of collections of short stories about jazz.

[fasstrack]

I saw Josef in Toronto in the fall. He used to make trips to The Czech Republic where he is a cultural hero, but he's feeling his age and his wife Zdena says he's kept too busy by his many fans there. When he first was able to return to his native country they used to put on jazz concerts for him.

If you liked The Bass Saxophone (and I'm proud to say the English translation is dedicated to me-- though you have to turn to the story itself to see the dedication as it's not in the front of the book) I'd recommend the novel The Swell Season and the short story Eine Kleine Jazzmusik which can be found in a couple of collections of short stories about jazz.

That was it! The Swell Season. It's the further adventures of Benny and his friends (it was Benny, wasn't it?). Very lyrical writing about youth. Thanks also for the update. I'll look in my copy for the dedication.

[jlhoots]

I have a hard cover 1st edition of the English translation of The Bass Saxophone.

I'm going to go back & read it again.

[fasstrack]

Thanks, everyone. I'm glad he is alive and well. Gonna catch up on my reading.

[Niko]

his homepage...

http://www.skvorecky.com/

[fasstrack]

his homepage...

http://www.skvorecky.com/

Thank you, thank you, thank you. Just what the doctor ordered. I love that they call H.S. 'gymnasium' in Europe. It reminds me of that Woody Allen line that 'those who can't teach teach gym.

The Cowards. That was the title. I thought it was The Heroes! No wonder the commies came after his ass. (It was about the Russian soldiers in WWII, and they were portrayed as less than heroic. Quite. You didn't do that in Czeckaslovokia (sp) then, as our hero found out.

Did you ever hear about Havel calling Jimmy Rowles to get George Mraz's #? That cracked me up. 'Hey, George, s'up, baby. This is Vaclev. The reason I'm calling....'

[Robert J]

I have read most of his novels over the years. His newest is "Ordinary Lives" a recent translation of a novel he published in 2004.

http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/Ordina...94437-item.html

I interviewed Josef about 10 years ago for a Toronto literary magazine and we talked about music too ("The Art of Improvisation: An Interview with Josef Skvorecky") It is referred here but OOP.

http://www.ce-review.org/books/skvoreckybooks.html

If anyone wants a copy you can PM me.

[fasstrack]

I have read most of his novels over the years. His newest is "Ordinary Lives" a recent translation of a novel he published in 2004.

http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/Ordina...94437-item.html

I interviewed Josef about 10 years ago for a Toronto literary magazine and we talked about music too ("The Art of Improvisation: An Interview with Josef Skvorecky") It is referred here but OOP.

http://www.ce-review.org/books/skvoreckybooks.html

If anyone wants a copy you can PM me.

I wish there was a way to tell him how much I enjoy his work and his focus on jazz as a symbol of freedom. Obviously that's what a lot of his writing is about. There's no contact info on the site and he deserves his privacy. Well, with honors from Havel, etc. he doesn't need me to tell him, it just would be nice if I could. Edited April 6, 2009 by fasstrack

[medjuck]

I have read most of his novels over the years. His newest is "Ordinary Lives" a recent translation of a novel he published in 2004.

http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/Ordina...94437-item.html

I interviewed Josef about 10 years ago for a Toronto literary magazine and we talked about music too ("The Art of Improvisation: An Interview with Josef Skvorecky") It is referred here but OOP.

http://www.ce-review.org/books/skvoreckybooks.html

If anyone wants a copy you can PM me.

I wish there was a way to tell him how much I enjoy his work and his focus on jazz as a symbol of freedom. Obviously that's what a lot of his writing is about. There's no contact info on the site and he deserves his privacy. Well, with honors from Havel, etc. he doesn't need me to tell him, it just would be nice if I could.

I can forward a note to him if you pm it to me.

[fasstrack]

I have read most of his novels over the years. His newest is "Ordinary Lives" a recent translation of a novel he published in 2004.

http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/Ordina...94437-item.html

I interviewed Josef about 10 years ago for a Toronto literary magazine and we talked about music too ("The Art of Improvisation: An Interview with Josef Skvorecky") It is referred here but OOP.

http://www.ce-review.org/books/skvoreckybooks.html

If anyone wants a copy you can PM me.

I wish there was a way to tell him how much I enjoy his work and his focus on jazz as a symbol of freedom. Obviously that's what a lot of his writing is about. There's no contact info on the site and he deserves his privacy. Well, with honors from Havel, etc. he doesn't need me to tell him, it just would be nice if I could.

I can forward a note to him if you pm it to me.

I did, and thank you so much. I love this board at times!