{"product_id":"a-history-of-light-9781803094168","title":"A History of Light","description":"\u003cb\u003eA unique blend of fiction and biography that explores the fascinating life of early-twentieth-century Czech photographer Frantisek Drtikol.\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e Have you ever wondered what a story written by a beam of light would be like? The story would be ordinary, but the course of events extraordinary. Its hero would be a photographer, a guardian of light. And, naturally, the tale would be full of shadow. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ci\u003eA History of Light\u003c\/i\u003e delves into the fascinating life of Frantisek Drtikol (1883-1961), an important figure in early-twentieth-century photography who is all but forgotten in contemporary times. A dandy from a small mining town, a world-famous photographer whose business went bankrupt, a master of the nude who never had much luck with women, a mystic and a Buddhist who believed in communism--a man whose numerous contradictions were evident externally and synthesized internally. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e A unique blend of fiction and biography, this novel vividly portrays Drtikol's life, tracing the diverse stages of his career and offering detailed, almost encyclopedic insights into the times and places pivotal to his journey. Acclaimed Czech author Jan Němec narrates the story in the uncommon second-person singular, speaking directly to his subject. Fresco-like, this novel is an artistic and spiritual Bildungsroman that covers over half a century, bringing to life the silver mines of Príbram, Jugendstil Munich, and the Bohemianism of the First Czechoslovak Republic. Drtikol's role as a photographer is set against the turbulent history of Central Europe through the two World Wars, and the events of those five decades form a riveting backdrop for an exploration of the artist's work.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eJan Němec\u003c\/b\u003e is the author of four books in Czech. He has worked as a journalist and is currently the editor of the literary monthly \u003ci\u003eHost \u003c\/i\u003eand a freelance contributor to the daily \u003ci\u003eDen?k N\u003c\/i\u003e. He is the author of a collection of short stories, \u003ci\u003eLilliputin\u003c\/i\u003e, also published by Seagull Books. \u003cb\u003eDavid Short\u003c\/b\u003e is a translator of numerous books from Czech to English.\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Seagull Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50869561819410,"sku":"9781803094168","price":19.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_54087ecd-3c37-424b-9e93-af24bce8df96.jpg?v=1737761836","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/a-history-of-light-9781803094168","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}