Девет приказки и две в повече

by Karel Čapek, Мария Беязова-Войтова (Translator)

Like traditional fairy tales, Capek's fantastic parables contain marvels and supernatural beings, fairies, elves, and talking animals; their plots stem from folk traditions where innocence triumphs. At the same time, Capek infuses these tales with dazzling wordplay, an abundant sense of the absurd, and surprising futuristic twists. Fact and imagination, satire and fantasy are blended so skillfully that the line between logic and plausible nonsense is nearly indiscernible. These are not just children's tales but modern parables.

Genres: Czech Literature, Fiction, Childrens, Short Stories, Fantasy, Fairy Tales, Classics

208 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1932

About the author

Karel Čapek is one of the the most influential Czech writers of the 20th century. He wrote with intelligence and humour on a wide variety of subjects. His works are known for their interesting and precise descriptions of reality, and Čapek is renowned for his excellent work with the Czech language. His play R.U.R. (Rossum's Universal Robots) first popularized the word "robot".

(Arabic: كارل تشابك) (Hebrew: קארל צ'אפק) (Japanese: 카렐 차페크) (Russian: Карел Чапек)

Reviews

[Ajeje Brazov · Rating 4 out of 5]

Raccolta di favolette molto variegata, si va dagli animali, agli umani fino agli esseri fatati e soprannaturali. Ho preferito quelle sugli umani e gli esseri magici, dove si racconta dei vizi e le virtù dell'uomo e di ciò che c'è oltre i sogni. Meno mi son piaciute quelle sugli animali, forse perchè non sopporto troppo quando li si antropomorfizzano, soprattutto il farli parlare e pensare come umani, ma insomma alla fine sono state delle letture simpatiche.
Con quel piglio umoristico e surreale l'autore si fa narratore esterno e come un qualsiasi "nonno o nonna" in una serata autunnale con la pioggia battente, racconta ai "nipotini e nipotine" qualche storiella grottesca e per certi versi anche riflessiva. Sparse qua e là vi sono delle illustrazioni, molto semplici, quasi stilizzate, che rappresentano a pennello l'atmosfera giocosa e bizzarra delle storie!

[MJ Nicholls · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sequence of impish tales from the Czech genius, with the tenth penned by his brother Josef. These charming and hilarious tales, while intended for children, serve up fiendish surreal and satirical humour, making them a perfect sleepy post-Christmas delight for cynical adults.

[Mythlee · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's whimsical and childlike, but fun. There's a fair amount of wordplay that comes through in translation.

One story involves a doctor who is called upon to set the leg of a water nymph, and finds that "treating fairies may have been the toughest job I'd ever had. Their bodies are made of nothing but beams of light and their bones are formed of so-called gamma rays – nothing your hands can grasp. They are delicate as a puff of air, lighter than light, and gauzy as mist" (248). Gossamer is too gross to bandage her leg, an apple blossom petal is too heavy to serve as a splint, so he finally "peeled off only the glittering metallic sheen of the wings of a dragonfly and made it into two splints" and "divided a moonray from a dewdrop into seven colors" in order to fasten the splints with the thinnest blue ray (id.).

He urges her to go to Hollywood where "the men and ladies on the screen seem to move, but they have no bodies. You wouldn't be able to touch them. They are made of beams of light. Now tell me, isn't it obvious that those are water nymphs?" (249)

[Lù]

Un piccolo gioiello.

[Joni · Rating 3 out of 5]

Diez cuentos en la línea de Hans Christian Andersen donde lo infantil o juvenil quedan casi unidos en una misma esfera. Son cuentos netamente infantiles cuando se dirige textual a los niños pero a su vez las historias son complejas con elementos trágicos. En varios cuentos se narran otras historias que se superponen como capas de cebolla. Destacan los personajes humildes de nobles valores, los poderosos que son déspotas y prejuiciosos . Algunos cuentos son reminiscencias de los clásicos y otros muy originales, como la historia de los carteros, el cómo aprendieron a volar los pájaros. Los imagino reinterpretados en obras de teatro o con títeres para hacerlos llevaderos para los niños. Hay eventuales dibujos del autor que aportan un elemento de atracción para lectores menores, son dibujos que apenas cumplen la premisa pero no desentonan en el todo. Capek fue simultaneo y coterraneo de Kafka ni mas ni menos..

[Mirrani · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful collection of stories that brighten the mind and are sure to lighten any mood. In this book fantasy is spoken of in such a way that it is simply a reality. Elves, goblins and ghosts, as in all good fairy tales are real and the reader doesn't need to be convinced, they simply know that it makes perfect sense for creatures of fantasy to work in a post office after hours and be able to play cards with the envelopes.

Each story is beautifully written and is full of charm and combines modern with the past in such a way that the stories almost have a time of their own. I literally could not bring myself to put the book down and read each tale, one after the other. My only warning to readers would be not to misjudge this book as being a collection of unrelated stories that you can set aside at the end of an adventure, because like with chips, it's impossible to have just one.

[Pavel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Přiznám se, že v dětství jsem tuhle knížku nějak minul. Snad kvůli notoricky známým TV zpracováním některých částí.
Ale rozhodně stojí za přečtení v libovolném věku. Nejenom kvůli Čapkově geniální práci s jazykem. Mě se moc líbí, jak hladce spojuje náš svět s pohádkovým světem a ono to bezvadně funguje.

[Marek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tuto knihu jsem v dětství nečetl, až nyní v dospělém věku jsem se ke knize dostal. Pohádky se mi líbily.

Autor v některých pohádkách používá detektivní zápletku. Skutečný svět se prolíná s imaginárním. Součástí pohádek jsou také jevy spojené s moderní civilizací (např. auto). Pohádky nepostrádají humor. V pohádkách vystupují lidé, pohádkové bytosti, ale také zvířata, které reprezentují určité lidské vlastnosti. Pohádkové bytosti jsou polidštěny, víly, rusalky a další mají lidské vlastnosti, s lidmi přirozeně mluví. Častokrát jsou místem děje skutečná místa (Úpice, Hronov aj.). Líbilo se mi, že autor oslovuje také čtenáře. Při psaní pohádek využil Karel Čapek své zkušenosti novináře (zeměpisné a kulturní reálie). Autor dokázal stručně a výstižně vyjádřit charakteristický rys osoby nebo události, o které vypravuje.

Karel Čapek ve svých pohádkách používá hromadění synonym a používá novotvary aj.

Ilustrace v knize opatřil jeho bratr JOSEF ČAPEK, který zároveň napsal PRVNÍ LOUPEŽNICKOU POHÁDKU (O tlustém pradědečkovi a loupežnících). Ilustrace jsou moc pěkné.

Nejobsáhlejší pohádkou je VELKÁ KOČIČÍ POHÁDKA. Líbila se mi také POHÁDKA PSÍ, POHÁDKA PTAČÍ, POHÁDKA VODNICKÁ, POHÁDKA POŠŤÁCKÁ aj.

Myslím si, že tato kniha může také oslovit současné mladší čtenáře a bude je bavit. Tato kniha mi zlepšila náladu a pobavila mě. Škoda, že jsem tuto knihu v dětství nečetl, anebo mi ji nepředčítala mamka. Ale nikdy není pozdě se začíst do této knihy. Krásný autorův jazyk a příběhy, které pobaví každého.

[Eric Hinkle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really liked this one. Hilarious, absurd, warm, and endlessly inventive, these "ten" tales (actually most of them include a number of tales within the tale) are zany, unpredictable, and, most importantly, FUN. Many of them are origin tales of sorts, "explaining" why dogs wag their tails or dig in the ground, why birds sing most in the morning, etc. Many of them would be fun to read aloud, if you have someone to read to. I don't, but I still had a lot of fun.

Apparently Karel Capek (who also coined the word "robot" in his famous play R.U.R.) was the most beloved European author of his time (1920s and 30s), and his brother Josef (an illustrator/comic of near-equal fame) illustrated this book. Karel's got a lot of books and I'm excited to read more. He apparently wrote well in a number of genres, and he has a big heart and was a great observer of different peoples, so I think I'll find a lot to love in his works.

War of the Newts is next, as it's his most famous, and seems pretty relevant in today's preposterous conditions.

[Jodie Steer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Čapek’s fairy tales are unusually rooted in the real world, blending together the mundane and the extraordinary. Witty and at times charming, the majority of these tales were fun, short and pleasant reads which narrated the lives of doctors, postmen and goblins alike. These parables are reminiscent of familiar childhood morality tales, and carry the same playful tone which made them so effective. My only issue was there were some tales which were considerably inferior to the rest, and consequently detracted from the overall reading experience. Overall I would say this compilation of fairy tales is a solid 3 stars, and is more or less worth a read if you enjoy unusual fables rooted in the every-day.

[Fernando Pestana da Costa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the Spanish translation of the czech original Devatero Pohádek a Jesie Jedna Jako Prívazek od Josefa Čapka, a collection of ten children's tales, one of which by Čapek's brother Josef. The stories herein are really very nice, at points quite funny, and even if they were written for children, all adult readers will have with them a time well spent.

[Vämpiriüs · Rating 1 out of 5]

Zajímavá kniha, kde autor spojuje náš svět s pohádkovým světem. Příběhy jsou bláznivé, prakticky nepředvídatelné a nejspíš mají být rádoby zábavné. Osobně mi přišly zajímavější právě ty, kde více figuruje pohádková část. Pohádka má být prostě pohádka a toto dílo považuji spíše za slátaninu.

[Hanneleele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Siin on üks muinasjutte, mis mulle kõige sagedamini meelde tuleb.

[Ktbird · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quirky tales to be sure, but light-hearted and moralistic, all while explaining the wonders of the world.

[sberatelka.knih · Rating 3 out of 5]

Můj oblíbený spisovatel české klasiky. Avšak pohádky od něj mě nijak neoslovily. Některé jsem znám filmově zpracované a líbily se mi víc.

[Bianca Sandale]

Volksmärchen

[Eliška ** · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5 ⭐️

[Lukas Slavik · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like Čapek‘s books. I was deciding between 4 and 5 stars.. the first take wasn’t that good.. but i really enjoyed the other two

[Mladen Krečak · Rating 3 out of 5]

djetinjstvo

[larúúú · Rating 4 out of 5]

moje sedmiletý já si připadalo celkem swag, že čte čapka.

[Minci (Ayurveda) Ahmetovic]

Svi znamo da nismo ni sami samo tako, odjednom, naučili abecedu.

Eto tako su pronašli najveće blago na svijetu na mjestu gdje je sahranjen djedica - skitnica - u svojim sopstvenim očima i u svom dobrom pogledu.

Svaka ljubav oslobadja ljude, kao i životinje, njihova prokletstva.

[Ioana · Rating 5 out of 5]

p. 31 “Ik heb die duif met mijn sabel doormidden geslagen.” vervolgde de commandant, “en tegelijkertijd hebben alle duizend soldaten op de duif geschoten. De duif vloog in duizend stukjes uiteen, maar elk stukje veranderde in een witte vlinder en fladderde ervandoor. Wat zijn nu uw orders?”
Drammers ogen schitterden. “Goed,” beval hij, “roep alle militairen inclusief reservisten op en stuur ze naar alle landen om die vlinders te vangen.”
En zo geschiedde, en we kunnen wel verklappen dat het een zeer mooie verzameling vlinders heeft opgeleverd, die nu nog in het Nationaal Museum te bezichtigen zijn. Als je in Praag bent, moet je er beslist naartoe.’

[Plethora · Rating 3 out of 5]

Odd collection of fairy tales, not ones I would recommend reading out-loud to a younger child in most cases. While fairy tales will commonly have good vs. evil I'm not sure how many parents would be comfortable reading to their child about someone getting shot between the eyes in one tale. Overall some I found enjoyable others didn't hit as high a note.

The Great Cat's Tale: This was a fun tale, long in length with many characters to sort out along the way.

The Dog's Tale: Have you ever wondered why dogs dig?

'Since man is made of the bones of every animal except the dog, he shares with the animals all their qualities: the strength of a lion, the perseverance of a camel, the craftiness of cat, and the magnanimity of a horse, but he doesn't have the loyalty of a dog. No, man doesn't have a dog's faithfulness!'

The Birds Tale: Why don't hens fly?

The First Robbers' Tale or Of a Pudgy Great-Grandfather and the Robbers: This tale was written by Josef Čapek, the illustrator and brother of Karel. You can tell, as this tale reads differently, but was funny.

The Water Sprite's Tale: Why does water trickle, bubble and splash?

The Second Robbers' Tale": Quote - 'You can easily recognize them [toll collector, an inspector, a tax collector], for they are always ready to harass people without the slightest provocation.'

The Tramp's Tale: Poor Frank King wrongly accused and the crows.

The Great Police Tale: How would you like a Hydra as pet?

The Mailman's Tale: A fairy tale about a mailman? And the long lost letter.

The Great Doctor's Tale: Another tale filled with many characters.

[Tim Storm · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed Capek's fairy tales. They feel way more modern than they are, mostly because of Capek's writing style. His meandering plots take us through fun incongruities and witticisms. As the back cover says, "Fact and imagination, satire and fantasy are blended so skillfully that the line between logic and plausible nonsense is nearly indiscernible." An example: in "The Great Police Tale," Capek has cops discussing various magical creatures, which are immediately normalized: "As I stepped down Jecna Street, something yanked at my trouser. I looked down and saw an elf. You know, the one from Charles Square." On the subject of ghosts: "Prague had them galore, but when it was scientifically proven that ghosts didn't exist, they were abolished." Later, when one of the policemen is arresting a dragon, he asks for his papers. "Do you have an ID? A gun permit? A library card? Voter's registration? Anything?"

[Andy John · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rozhodla jsem se, že napíšu souhrnný názor na všech sedm pohádek. Tak tady je. První pohádka v pořadí byla první loupežnická. Podle mě velice vtipná a poučující. Nikdy si z jiných nedělejte srandu, nedělá to dobrotu. Druhá pohádka byla vodnická. Měla jsem problém s vyslovením jmen vodníka a princezny. Opravdu si je ani teď nepamatuju. Hezká byla část o vodníkovi, který naučil vodu zpívat. Třetí pohádka byla druhá loupežnická, která se mi vůbec nelíbila. Čtvrtá byla tulácká. Líbil se mi její konec. Tedy spíše termín bílá vrána. Je to takový zvláštní termín. Další pohádka byla policejní. Mám ráda draky, proto jsem si ji ráda přečetla až na toho draka, který byl takový ďas a chtěl si nechat princeznu. Potom jsem četla pošťáckou pohádku. Je hezké, že díky jednomu ochotnému pošťákovi se dali dva lidi dohromady a na konec pohádka o doktorech. Musím opravdu říct, že je hezká, ale nejvíce se mi líbila část o princezně Zubejdě.

[V · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moderní pohádky, které však sto let po napsání mají úplně stejné pohádkové kouzlo jako klasiky.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nine Fairy Tales and One More Thrown in for Good Measure is utterly fantastic. They're written in the guise of traditional fairy tales (with princesses, bandits, and fairy folk), but with more 20th-century touches added (like letter carriers, toll collectors, and American movie stars). The tales start in one vein and end up elsewhere, seemingly stream of consciousness and yet completely reasonable in their trajectory. There's plenty of satire and Čapek's wordplay throughout the stories is astutely translated. (It's so well translated that I honestly don't know how the translator managed it without the writing feeling stilted or like it's "missing something.") No doubt I will be revisiting these tales over and over again.

[Alena · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was written in period, which is called "war for fairy tale", when some people thought that fairy tale is not good for children. Brothers Josef and Karel Č. were in group, which think that fairy tale can show and teach, how the world and people should be - so fairy tale is very important. So it´s not typical czech fairy tale, but very funny. Karel played with czech language, with stories etc. And you can also know the region where they were born and grew up - East Bohemia - Malé Svatoňovice, Úpice, Jestřebí, Žaltman... :-)

[Scherzo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Y como el hombre está hecho de los huesos de todos los animales, menos los del perro, tiene también las propiedades de todos los animales: la fuerza el león, la laboriosidad del camello, la astucia del gato y la generosidad del caballo. Sólo carece de la lealtad del perro, ¡sólo de la lealtad del perro!

En el barco viajaba conmigo cierta señorita, bueno, más que bonita, en breves palabras, se llama Alicia.

¡En cualquier sitio se está mejor, en cualquier sitio se está mejor! -Golondrina.

[Josephkohn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this to be a delightful set of fantastical yarns, divided into the kind of short portions that make this perfect for bedtime stories. A bit predictable, they are indeed stories for children, but they're also a lot of fun. They give an interesting look at Czech perspective on the world, especially Europe. If I ever have children, I'll be sure to read this to them.