Ken Kalfus Knihy

Marshall a Joyce Harrimanovi se rozvádějí: hádají se o děti, psa, byt a hlavně o peníze. To ráno, kdy jedna z krizí vrcholí, stojí v kalendáři datum 11. září 2001. Marshall pracuje ve WTC a Joyce má koupenou letenku na nechvalně proslulý let číslo 93… Kalfus je vzácně břitký satirik a je to taky poprvé, co se v literatuře po r. 2001 objevuje podobný tón. Román je skvělou studií rozpadajícího se vztahu dvou lidí, jejichž neshody nedokáže překlenout ani největší tragédie v moderních amerických dějinách.

It is the turn of the twentieth century and a British astronomer, Thayer, high on Darwin and other progressive scientists of the age, arrives in Egypt to embark on the project of a lifetime: the excavation of a triangle in the desert, with sides hundreds of miles long, to be filled with petrol and set alight. The purpose: to send out a signal to life on Mars (for which he has evidence) that humans exist. But as work progresses, the huge task force of Egyptian workers is struck by disease and rebellion, and the success of Thayer's project looks increasingly uncertain.

Exploring the complexities of Russian history, the stories present a diverse range of characters facing extraordinary circumstances. From a nuclear worker selling plutonium to a cosmonaut's unconventional preflight preparations, each tale offers a unique perspective. A young man's hopes amidst Chechen rebels and a Jewish couple's bittersweet journey to establish a state add depth to the narrative. The closing novella highlights the intertwining of personal and political lives in 1960s Russia, showcasing Kalfus' talent for crafting believable characters against a rich historical backdrop.

The explosive collection by the celebrated author of Thirst and PEN/Faulkner Award finalist Pu-239 and Other Russian Fantasies, Coup de Foudre is the kind of groundbreaking work of literary invention Ken Kalfus's fans have come to expect. The book is anchored by the full text of the provocatively topical title novella that appeared in Harper's, a sometimes farcical, ultimately tragic story about the president of an international lending institution accused of sexually assaulting a housekeeper in a New York hotel. Recalling recent news events with irony and compassion, Kalfus skewers international political gridlock and the hypocrisies of acceptable sexual conduct. In "The Moment They Were Waiting For," a murderer on death row casts a spell granting the inhabitants of his city the foreknowledge of the dates they will die. In "v. The Large Hadron Collider," a judge distracted by the faint possibility of an adulterous affair must decide whether to throw out a nuisance lawsuit that raises the even fainter possibility that the entire Earth may be destroyed. "The Un-" is a nostalgic story of a young writer's struggles as he tries to surmount the colossal, heavily guarded wall that apparently separates writers who have been published from those who have not. Varying boldly in theme, setting, and tone, the stories in Coup de Foudre share Kalfus's distinctive humor and intellect, inextricably bound with high literary ambition.

The narrative weaves together individual stories from a century of Russian history, showcasing a diverse range of experiences that are both thrilling and humorous. The author skillfully captures the essence of different lives, highlighting the richness of Russian culture and the complexities of its past through engaging and varied tales.

Set against the backdrop of Russia in 1910, the narrative unfolds at the railway station where Leo Tolstoy is dying, attracting global media attention. The story follows cinematographer Nikolai Gribshin as he captures this pivotal moment while encountering Professor Vorobev and Joseph Stalin, who harbor revolutionary ambitions. Their journey through a tumultuous era explores the intertwining of tragedy and comedy during the Russian Revolution, reflecting on the powerful role of images in shaping public perception and historical narrative.

"From National Book Award finalist Ken Kalfus, a novel imagining a future in which civil conflict has forced America's young people to flee its borders into an unwelcoming world."--Provided by publisher

Joyce and Marshall each think the other is killed on September 11—and must swallow their disappointment when the other arrives home. As their bitter divorce is further complicated by anthrax scares, suicide bombs, and foreign wars, they suffer, in ways unexpectedly personal and increasingly ludicrous, the many strange ravages of our time. In this astonishing black comedy, Kalfus suggests how our nation’s public calamities have encroached upon our most private illusions.