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In 1922, the same year that saw the establishment of the Czechoslovak Football Association, a former singer and cabaret director from Prague published a novel about soccer. Eighty-six years later, that novel, Eduard Bass’s The Chattertooth Eleven, has been reprinted more than thirty times, has been made into a film, and has become one of the most popular works of Czech fiction.
The novel tells the extraordinary adventures of an ordinary father, Chattertooth, and his eleven sons — whom he has raised as an unbeatable soccer team. This humorous tale — set in the aftermath of World War I — celebrates fair play and perseverance while simultaneously taking a gently ironic stance towards the Czech infatuation with soccer. This edition was illustrated by Josef Capek.
149 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1922
I guess this book is considered a classic in the Czech Republic and it is being tought about in schools. Even though I usually try to avoid such books (they bore me to death in most cases) this one somehow found its way in my bookcase. I've read it at least once before but didn't remember anything about it. That's why I decided to pick it up again and reread it...
...and I am pleasantly surprised. It reads fast, it is kind of sweet and silly at times. Even though I found some irritating opinions (not sure if those were author's or a character's) I like it. Solid three-star rating. Before I started reading, I was sure I will get rid of this book. But you know what? I will keep it for a while longer.