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pickTragicomic tale of a busboy in prewar Czechoslovakia learning about life during a series of jobs in luxurious hotels, culminating in a grand banquet not for the King of England, but Haile Selassie, the Emperor of Ethiopia. His ambition of becoming a rich hotelier is realized under Nazi occupation, only to be snatched away when the Communists come to power. Poignant and funny examination of the expectations of youth vs. the reality of life.
Klamm Wonderful book! The personal development of the protagonist as an individual alongside the development of the Czech Republic as a country (political, economic, social) makes for a fascinating ~200 pages. Hrabal‘s light and reflective voice makes certain moments stand out for me. 3y
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