HARLEQUIN'S MILLIONS - Bohumil Hrabal


A retirement home in Czechoslovakia with a very eccentric cast of characters is the setting for Harlequin's Millions by Bohumil Hrabal. Everyone here has a story to tell, but the residents have been together long enough that they've heard each others' stories many times. What's left but die? But no one here, especially our narrator, is ready to just give up.

There isn't a lot of story here - this is mostly allegory and reflection on life.  Even the retirement home itself, a former castle, is part of this allegory ... once something grand and opulent now a bit sad but still useful and hanging in there.

The language in the book is lovely and lyrical.  But is that Hrabal or is that the work of the translator, Stacey Knecht?

While reading this, I was reminded somewhat of John Banville's The Sea, though I'm not entirely sure why (it's been 7 years since I read that book). There's also a hint of Catch-22 in the humor, but it's slight enough not to draw too much attention.

Reading this was pleasurable in the moment.  Mostly because of the language but also because the characters are just 'off' enough to be interesting without making this a story about a group of oddballs. But the lack of actual story was a bit difficult for this reader accustomed to more modern fiction.  

There's more to this book than just the façade (just like the castle).  But what's unusual about this book is that the language makes the reading flow smoothly and the characters become the focus but it's really the allegory that gives the book meaning.

I'm glad to have read this, but it's difficult to recommend.

Looking for a good book? Harlequin's Millions by Bohumil Hrabal is a unique literary read that may require the reader to do some digging to truly enjoy.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

3-1/2 stars

* * * * * *

Harlequin's Millions

author: Bohumil Hrabal

translator: Stacey Knecht

publisher: Archipelago

ISBN: 9780981955735

paperback, 313 pages

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