Ear

by Jan Procházka

paranoid thriller of life under surveillance in Soviet Czechoslovakia.

A deputy minister in the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia, Ludvík enjoys all the luxuries that success in the party affords him, but he must be careful: he’s under no illusions about the secret police bugging his apartment. Luckily, he and his wife, Anna, know where the bug is and where they can safely converse. However, any comfort they feel disappears the evening they attend an official party, where they learn that Ludvík’s boss has just been arrested after presenting a report written by Ludvík himself. Is Ludvík next? Back home after the party, the couple must get past unresolved marital tensions to get rid of absolutely anything that could incriminate them—all while contending with the strange men outside their apartment and the bug inside.
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Penned under the oppressive watch of Soviet authorities in 1960s Czechoslovakia—but touching on still-current themes of surveillance and paranoia—this cinematic thriller is as tense and timely as ever. A promising Party member who became persona non grata after the Soviet occupation of Czechoslovakia, author Jan Procházka knew firsthand the gnawing terror of life in a surveillance state: after his death in 1971, the new tenants of his apartment discovered twelve hidden listening devices. As Ear makes terrifyingly clear, the most frightening horror stories are the ones closest to everyday reality.

Genres: Fiction, Czech Literature

224 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2022

About the author

Jan Procházka (4 February 1929 – 20 February 1971) was a Czechoslovak writer, screenwriter and producer. He wrote films including Ucho, Fetters, Slasti Otce vlasti and On the Comet. Procházka was also involved in films such as A Report on the Party and the Guests and Diamonds of the Night.

Reviews

[Creolecat · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2

[Patrick Al-de Lange · Rating 3 out of 5]

Echoing "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" this book reads like a film and it was hard not to imagine how the scenes would unfold on the screen as I read them. In short, direct chapters, we see a couple over one night in their own home fighting with fear and funny chaos, all the while afraid of the listening ear and wondering when they would be next...

It is a glimpse into the horror that daily life must have been under communist rule.

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

A brief but compelling late 1960s read with touches of humour, set over one night in Prague where Ludvik, a deputy minister, and his wife, Anna, argue and also try to dispose of what could conceivably be potentially incriminating evidence after his minister is purged.

In short chapters, they recall the events of the evening at the reception they attended where they found out about Ludvik’s boss, as they disagree and vituperatively recall their respective backgrounds and try to find a place to argue hidden from the ubiquitous ear, the bugs that constantly monitor them. It's almost a domestic comedy about their strained relationship, but real tension and fear is evoked.

[Karla · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Ear in the title of this novel refers to the Soviet listening devices prevalent in Czechoslovakia in the 1950’s. The author was a famous novelist and screenwriter who wrote fiction about the very real happenings of the time after WWII when Czechoslovakia was part of the Soviet Union. It was hard to get into this book as it is written much like a screenplay – jumping from one scene to another with little description. Barring that, once you get into the groove of the prose, it is riveting. Mainly focusing on two characters, a deputy minister and his wife, the story unfolds as they get home from a dinner. The tension mounts as the husband starts to believe they are being watched and listened to by the ‘authorities’. Unfortunately, his wife is not on the same page and the scene progresses very much like the night in ‘Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolfe?’- much misunderstanding and arguing as they start to realize the danger they may be in. If you like that play/movie, this book adds another element of real danger.

[Benehime · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredibly quick and gripping read with excellent humor! I didn't expect a story about a surveillance state to be funny, but here we are!
The characters are very distinct and fleshed out, the couple arguing with each other extremely entertaining!
I recommend it!

[Mark Gershman · Rating 4 out of 5]

When you're 12 cigarettes down and start yelling about Masaryk