Jean Echenoz Knihy

Posledných desať rokov života hudobného skladateľa Mauricea Ravela: jeho dom v Montforte, jeho šatník, denný režim, cesta po Amerike, spolupracovníci, ženy... S dokumentárnou presnosťou autor nevynecháva ani jeho obsesie, výstrednosť, nápady a nálady.

Román U piána vypráví o Maxi Delmarcovi, jenž je celou svou bytostí oddán hudbě, a to dokonce i poté, co se z bytosti stává jen přízrak, k čemuž dojde dvaadvacet dní (a osmdesát šest stran) od chvíle, kdy ho čtenář poznal - je totiž zavražděn. Dále pak postava v románu vystupuje v této záhrobní podobě. Max trpí nezměrnou trémou, již zvládá jedině pomocí alkoholu. Jakmile ale sedí u klavíru a začne hrát, napětí mizí. Na rozdíl od předchozích románů, například Jdu nebo Velké blondýny (Les Grandes blondes, 1995), se vypravěč tentokrát zaměřuje na jedinou postavu, jediný osud, tedy na zmíněného Maxe.

The narrative explores the life of Emil Zátopek, a remarkable Czech runner whose journey unfolds amid the backdrop of Soviet liberation and post-WWII communist Czechoslovakia. Initially dismissive of athletics, Zátopek's unexpected entry into a footrace ignites a profound passion for long-distance running, showcasing his determination and the physical boundaries he pushes. Jean Echenoz's prose captures both the triumphs and struggles of Zátopek's career, offering a compelling portrait of a sporting icon.

Georges Chave, né à Ivry-sur-Seine le jour de la bataille d'Okinawa, domicilié à Paris dans le 11e arrondissement. Vit de peu. Meuble son existence d'une activité de bars, de cinémas, de voyages en banlieue, de sommeils imprévus, d'aventures provisoires. Écoute souvent des disques américains ; l'un de ces disques lui manque, une version rare de Cherokee, qu'on lui a dérobé il y a dix ans. Tout cela n'est rien, mais il s'en contente jusqu'à ce que Véronique surgisse dans sa vie. Dès lors, Georges s'agite un peu. Il ne voulait pas grand-chose, pourtant : gagner assez d'argent pour offrir cette robe jaune à Véronique. Mais déjà elle l'a quitté. Et à peine rencontre-t-il une autre femme qu'elle aussi disparaît. Celle-là, Georges va la chercher partout, suivre ses traces jusqu'à la mer du Nord, cependant que tout le monde se lance à sa poursuite – policiers, voleurs, divers intermédiaires. Sait-il seulement pourquoi ? Le voilà seul comme un Peau-Rouge dans un jeu de piste truqué, sur le sentier d'une guerre qu'il n'avait pas songé à déclarer.

Gerard Fulmard's journey from disgraced flight attendant to private detective leads him into a chaotic political group rife with infighting. Initially hired as an enforcer, he becomes entangled with a corrupt faction, ultimately finding himself coerced into assassinating the party leader. As he navigates this treacherous landscape, his situation spirals further out of control, highlighting themes of ambition, betrayal, and the dark underbelly of political machinations.

'I'm off', says Félix Ferrer to his wife. 'I'm leaving you'. And closing the door on their suburban home, Ferrer, a creature of appetite, impulse and habit, a man of our times, embarks on a journey to the extremes. A man at Ferrer's time of life should be starting to treat himself - and his heart - carefully, not living the bachelor life in the Paris atelier that doubles as his art gallery. Not weighing up every girl he sees. Not ignoring his doctor's warnings to avoid the very hot and the very cold. And certainly not making for the North Pole in pursuit of a rare cargo of Inuit artefacts.Soon, back from the merciless Arctic, packed with ex-girlfriends, anxious artists and suspicious creditors, Paris in the summer begins to feel very hot indeed for Ferrier...In One Year Victoire wakes up one morning to find her boyfriend lying dead beside her. Not wanting to be caught with a corpse, she packs her bags, raids her bank account and makes off, randomly, for the Southwest. And when she has lost her belongings, her money, her looks and almost herself - one year later - the coast is clear for her to come back to Paris. But nothing prepares her for the shock of what greets her return...

Louis Meyer is an overworked aerospace engineer looking forward to a week-long vacation on the Mediterranean. DeMilo is an astronaut and self-proclaimed ladies man whose behavior borders on the obsessive and voyeuristic. When a series of coincidences and disastersincluding a devastating earthquake in Marseillesbrings them together on a spacecraft with an aloof woman they are both strongly attracted to, the two mens flaws and shortcomings emerge as they engage in an underhanded competition to win her over. Brimming with Jean Echenozs inimitable humor, We Three is both a satirical take on the adventure novel and

He awakes in a hotel that might be a hospital or might be something else much more mysterious. His nurses bear an uncanny resemblance to Dean Martin and Peggy Lee and explain to him that there are certain rules to be obeyed on his return to Paris- the most important being that he must lose his old identity entirely. Defying the regulations, Max struggles to retrieve pieces of his former life, and although followed by watchers from 'the hotel' he feels livelier than he did when he was alive. PIANO can be read as a metaphor of life and death, of heaven and hell. The question is- Which is which?

Originally published in France, this book offers a unique perspective on its themes and narrative style. The author explores intricate character dynamics and societal issues, presenting a thought-provoking story that resonates with readers. Set against a rich historical backdrop, it invites contemplation and discussion, making it a significant addition to contemporary literature.