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Dopisy Olze: červen 1979-září 1982
Od svého zatčení 29. května 1979, respektive od následného pobytu ve vyšetřovací vazbě, do 7. února 1983, kdy mu byl přerušen výkon trestu ze zdravotních důvodů a kdy byl převezen do civilní pražské nemocnice Pod Petřínem (odkud byl 4. března 1983 propuštěn domů), napsal Václav Havel své ženě Olze Havlové (11. 7. 1933 – 21. 1. 1996) celkem 165 dopisů (první 4. června 1979 – datovaný omylem dne 4. 3. 79 –, poslední 5. února 1983).
395 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1983
58 people are currently reading
723 people want to read
About the author
Václav Havel
268 books495 followersVáclav Havel was a Czech playwright, essayist, poet, dissident and politician. He was the tenth and last President of Czechoslovakia (1989–92) and the first President of the Czech Republic (1993–2003). He wrote over twenty plays and numerous non-fiction works, translated internationally. He received the US Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Philadelphia Liberty Medal, the Order of Canada, the freedom medal of the Four Freedoms Award, and the Ambassador of Conscience Award. He was also voted 4th in Prospect Magazine's 2005 global poll of the world's top 100 intellectuals. He was a founding signatory of the Prague Declaration on European Conscience and Communism.
Beginning in the 1960s, his work turned to focus on the politics of Czechoslovakia. After the Prague Spring, he became increasingly active. In 1977, his involvement with the human rights manifesto 'Charter 77' brought him international fame as the leader of the opposition in Czechoslovakia; it also led to his imprisonment. The 1989 "Velvet Revolution" launched Havel into the presidency. In this role he led Czechoslovakia and later the Czech Republic to multi-party democracy. His thirteen years in office saw radical change in his nation, including its split with Slovakia, which Havel opposed, its accession into NATO and start of the negotiations for membership in the European Union, which was attained in 2004.
Beginning in the 1960s, his work turned to focus on the politics of Czechoslovakia. After the Prague Spring, he became increasingly active. In 1977, his involvement with the human rights manifesto 'Charter 77' brought him international fame as the leader of the opposition in Czechoslovakia; it also led to his imprisonment. The 1989 "Velvet Revolution" launched Havel into the presidency. In this role he led Czechoslovakia and later the Czech Republic to multi-party democracy. His thirteen years in office saw radical change in his nation, including its split with Slovakia, which Havel opposed, its accession into NATO and start of the negotiations for membership in the European Union, which was attained in 2004.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
October 5, 2025
I once spent a night in the secret police cells on Bartolomějská Street in Prague. Rooms were sparse to say the least. There was a small, high window, a metal bed, and a door which I locked. It was, by then, a travellers' hostel. Vaclav Havel "stayed" once in cell P6. But for decency's sake, it didn't bear a sign. This gave every room an ominous feel. That's there in these letters, except it never lasts for long. Was it because we know the outcome - the communists would be run out and Havel would become president - or something more to do with the letters? I think it is the second factor most of all.
Their author knows his cause and his actions. Havel is not Dreyfus quite rightly protesting his innocence and wanting to clear his name and shame to his family name which a treason conviction held. Havel is imprisoned for passing information of human rights abuses. His sentence of four years at hard labor adds more proof. But his letters are not dark in outlook or humor. Of course, jokes aren't allowed, he explains. Jokes can be subversive.
The overall effect for me was a choking feeling. I wanted that cell window to be open wide. Now, I get why my downstairs neighbor keeps his like that since he served his sentence.
Their author knows his cause and his actions. Havel is not Dreyfus quite rightly protesting his innocence and wanting to clear his name and shame to his family name which a treason conviction held. Havel is imprisoned for passing information of human rights abuses. His sentence of four years at hard labor adds more proof. But his letters are not dark in outlook or humor. Of course, jokes aren't allowed, he explains. Jokes can be subversive.
The overall effect for me was a choking feeling. I wanted that cell window to be open wide. Now, I get why my downstairs neighbor keeps his like that since he served his sentence.
June 13, 2021
i started this book at the dawn of a new year, deep in a winter, and am sitting here now, having completed it on a bright tehran summer morning, watching flowers bloom in the park, wearing green and feeling sun. i’ve never spent quite this long reading a book. i imagine havel writing these words on my birthday fifteen years before my birth. i imagine him bathed in sun, writing his unending re-encounter with the primordial questions in his words and in his being. i offer him these flowers, open now in the morning light.
September 27, 2017
Vēstules, ko Havels rakstīja savai dzīvesbiedrenei no cietuma, bija gan viņa pašterapija, gan pašuzmundrinājums, gan vienīgā saskare ar ārpasauli. Kas mani pārsteidza visvairāk? Viņa attieksme pret sevi, savu laiku. Zinot, ka nebrīvē jāpavada vairāki gadi, viņš nevis sūkstējās par to, bet darīja visu iespējamo, lai gadi paietu lietderīgi - lasīja, rakstīja, mācījās valodas, analizēja sevi, savus garastāvokļus, rūpējās par savu veselību.
Filozofiska, psiholoģiska lasāmviela par sevis izzināšanu.
Filozofiska, psiholoģiska lasāmviela par sevis izzināšanu.
April 1, 2013
I reached this book while pursuing two related topical lines: books about real-world Communist dystopias and books written by revolutionaries (dissidents). Scrisori catre Olga is a collection of letters written by Vaclav Havel to his wife Olga Havlová during 1979-1982, while he was imprisoned in various Czechoslovakian prisons. Overall, this is a rare glimpse into the personal life of the otherwise introverted Vasek.
The book presents a selection of over 140 letters, selected by the editors (by which criterion?!). Of these letters, the first about 130 introduce Havel the person, and some of his main ideas interspersed with daily and household life details. The latter 15 letters present a distillation of the ideas sprinkled until then in the regular letters. The letters are themselves samples, that is, the book only includes a selection of the text in each letter (again, selected by which criterion?!) I found the latter 15 letters rather unreadable, but enjoyed the first cca. 130.
Among many others, Scrisori catre Olga neighbors Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn's work (about Russia), Gabriel Liiceanu's work and The Land of Green Plums (both Romania), The Aquariums of Pyongyang Ten Years in the North Korean Gulag (North Korea), Marzi (Poland), Stasiland (East Germany); and the excellent auto-biographies of Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi. Havel seems to be the more secluded of all the dissident figures in this list---the self-effacing man who does not even want to talk about group fight but rather about individual struggle for the right to individuality. (Havel also talks about the responsibility of fight, but never as a group undertaking against an unjust, totalitarian regime.)
The writing is warm, often passionate and wordy, yet also accessible and, at times, timid. I read the book over a 6-hour trip, half by plane half by train, with many short stops (so, no reading) for the latter.
There's quite a bit in this book about Havel the man: the commanding, perhaps even oppressive husband; the self-confessed OCD; the permanent complaints about nagging but not life-threatening illnesses; a brief biopic; an admission to various weaknesses, among which chief is low self-esteem; but also an intention to live a life of being nice to others, excessively polite, and respectful for authority (the irony!).
As the main topics and concepts, the selected letters touch responsibility, individuality, religious belief, what adulthood (manhood) is about, becoming listless in face of adversity, structure in life, meaning of life, becoming cynical in face of adversity, and, of course, theater. I read intently the idea of "a structure of death", which discusses the evils of a community in which there is no free will (Havel talks about man as "cybernetic unit", a robot without emotion and personal needs beyond physiological and instructional). I was impressed by the frankness with which the author admits that theater was "just a job", which he liked but pursued only to the limits of his own pleasure. His insistence that his struggle has been very limited and purely motivated by his internal struggle is admirable and humbling.
On the negative side, I thought many of the ideas discussed here were rather well-known in the 1980s and I found Havel somehow at a loss distinguishing between real life and the life of the playwright: he's often depicting a world inhabited by spectators, albeit participating spectators; often seeing stages and curtains; often discussing the use of structure and ceremony. (Yet Havel is ambivalent--or multi-valent--about theater, first admitting his life is not about being a theater professional, then claiming with rather flimsy support that theater is a unique art, then reneging theater once more, then redeeming it, then ...)
Overall, a very interesting read. Just read a bit of Havel, I know I'd like to read some more.
The book presents a selection of over 140 letters, selected by the editors (by which criterion?!). Of these letters, the first about 130 introduce Havel the person, and some of his main ideas interspersed with daily and household life details. The latter 15 letters present a distillation of the ideas sprinkled until then in the regular letters. The letters are themselves samples, that is, the book only includes a selection of the text in each letter (again, selected by which criterion?!) I found the latter 15 letters rather unreadable, but enjoyed the first cca. 130.
Among many others, Scrisori catre Olga neighbors Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn's work (about Russia), Gabriel Liiceanu's work and The Land of Green Plums (both Romania), The Aquariums of Pyongyang Ten Years in the North Korean Gulag (North Korea), Marzi (Poland), Stasiland (East Germany); and the excellent auto-biographies of Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi. Havel seems to be the more secluded of all the dissident figures in this list---the self-effacing man who does not even want to talk about group fight but rather about individual struggle for the right to individuality. (Havel also talks about the responsibility of fight, but never as a group undertaking against an unjust, totalitarian regime.)
The writing is warm, often passionate and wordy, yet also accessible and, at times, timid. I read the book over a 6-hour trip, half by plane half by train, with many short stops (so, no reading) for the latter.
There's quite a bit in this book about Havel the man: the commanding, perhaps even oppressive husband; the self-confessed OCD; the permanent complaints about nagging but not life-threatening illnesses; a brief biopic; an admission to various weaknesses, among which chief is low self-esteem; but also an intention to live a life of being nice to others, excessively polite, and respectful for authority (the irony!).
As the main topics and concepts, the selected letters touch responsibility, individuality, religious belief, what adulthood (manhood) is about, becoming listless in face of adversity, structure in life, meaning of life, becoming cynical in face of adversity, and, of course, theater. I read intently the idea of "a structure of death", which discusses the evils of a community in which there is no free will (Havel talks about man as "cybernetic unit", a robot without emotion and personal needs beyond physiological and instructional). I was impressed by the frankness with which the author admits that theater was "just a job", which he liked but pursued only to the limits of his own pleasure. His insistence that his struggle has been very limited and purely motivated by his internal struggle is admirable and humbling.
On the negative side, I thought many of the ideas discussed here were rather well-known in the 1980s and I found Havel somehow at a loss distinguishing between real life and the life of the playwright: he's often depicting a world inhabited by spectators, albeit participating spectators; often seeing stages and curtains; often discussing the use of structure and ceremony. (Yet Havel is ambivalent--or multi-valent--about theater, first admitting his life is not about being a theater professional, then claiming with rather flimsy support that theater is a unique art, then reneging theater once more, then redeeming it, then ...)
Overall, a very interesting read. Just read a bit of Havel, I know I'd like to read some more.
Want to read
January 13, 2016تجربه ای باارزش بی مانند ب وجود آمده. آموخته ایم ک به رخدادهای عظیم تاریخ جهان از پایین، از دید رانده شدگان، مظنونها، آنها ک مورد بدرفتاری قرار گرفته اند، ضعفا، ستمدیده ها، آنها ک مورد اهانت قرار گرفته اند؛ و خلاصه از دید آنهایی ک رنج می برند... نگاه کنیم. باید یاد بگیریم ک برای کاویدن جهان، در اندیشه و در عمل، رنج انسان ها کاراتر و ثمربخش تر از کامیابی آنهاست.
این دید از پایین نباید ملک مطلق آنهایی باشد ک دائما ناراضی اند؛ بلکه باید با خشنودی عدالت را، ک بنیاد آن ورای هر چون و چرایی درباره بالا یا پایین است، در تمام جنبه های زندگی برقرار کنیم.
دیتریش بون هوفر
__________________________________________
آزادی و قانونمندی، شرایط اساسی هر سازمان اجتماعی عادی و سالم هستند، تلاش یک ملت برای احیای آنها پس از سال ها، چیزی نیست ک تاریخ دنیا را تکان بدهد، فقط تلاشی است برای زدودن نابهنجاریها، اعم از اینکه ملت خود را سوسیالیست بنامد یا نه.
__________________________________________
هنوز از انحطاط و سستی و دلتنگی ای خبر نداشتم ک وقتی یک زندانی ناگهان ب قلمرو آزادی می افتد، ب آن دچار می شود.
اما رویای زیبا می بایست ب پایان می رسید. روزی فرا رسید ک من می بایست دوباره ب جهان واقعی قدم بگذارم... و از آن ب بعد دارم همراه پوسته ی بی ثبات آن حرکت می کنم.
__________________________________________
زندانی از این دست، سوراخ وحشتناکی است؛ روزهای پی در پی زل زدن ب دیوارها تفریح ندارد، اما با هر توقیف، تحمل زندان برایم آسانتر می شود، زیرا خیلی چیزها ک زمانی پریشانم می کردند، حالا دیگر نه موجب تعجبم می شوند و نه آشفته ام می کنند.
__________________________________________
همیشه وقتی برای تو نامه می نویسم ک حالم خوب باشد؛ افسردگیم را برای خودم نگه می دارم.
__________________________________________
کاملا آرام هستم. دارم خودم را با دورنمای آینده وفق می دهم، و این نه ناراحتم می کند و نه برایم تکان دهنده است.
__________________________________________
هر از گاهی این احساس بسیار عجیب را دارم ک دلم واقعا نمی خواهد این مکان [زندان] را ترک کنم. دست کم حالا نه.
اینجا دچار حال و هوایی می شوی ک تا حدی ب خواب زمستانی می ماند. خودت را مجاز می دانی ک با روزمرگی قالبی زندگی زندان کنار بیایی. در خواب مرگ نمای شیرین ذهنی غرق شوی و فکر بازگشت ب دنیای خبیث ک عزم مدام می طلبد، هولناک می شود.
__________________________________________
هرچیزی ممکن است و من خوشحالم ک خودم را ذهنا برای بدترین پیامدها آماده کرده ام. چسبیدن ب امید مبهم خیلی بد است، فقط آدم را نا امیدتر می کند.
__________________________________________
ب من بیندیش اما ب تلخی هایم نه.
__________________________________________
این دید از پایین نباید ملک مطلق آنهایی باشد ک دائما ناراضی اند؛ بلکه باید با خشنودی عدالت را، ک بنیاد آن ورای هر چون و چرایی درباره بالا یا پایین است، در تمام جنبه های زندگی برقرار کنیم.
دیتریش بون هوفر
__________________________________________
آزادی و قانونمندی، شرایط اساسی هر سازمان اجتماعی عادی و سالم هستند، تلاش یک ملت برای احیای آنها پس از سال ها، چیزی نیست ک تاریخ دنیا را تکان بدهد، فقط تلاشی است برای زدودن نابهنجاریها، اعم از اینکه ملت خود را سوسیالیست بنامد یا نه.
__________________________________________
هنوز از انحطاط و سستی و دلتنگی ای خبر نداشتم ک وقتی یک زندانی ناگهان ب قلمرو آزادی می افتد، ب آن دچار می شود.
اما رویای زیبا می بایست ب پایان می رسید. روزی فرا رسید ک من می بایست دوباره ب جهان واقعی قدم بگذارم... و از آن ب بعد دارم همراه پوسته ی بی ثبات آن حرکت می کنم.
__________________________________________
زندانی از این دست، سوراخ وحشتناکی است؛ روزهای پی در پی زل زدن ب دیوارها تفریح ندارد، اما با هر توقیف، تحمل زندان برایم آسانتر می شود، زیرا خیلی چیزها ک زمانی پریشانم می کردند، حالا دیگر نه موجب تعجبم می شوند و نه آشفته ام می کنند.
__________________________________________
همیشه وقتی برای تو نامه می نویسم ک حالم خوب باشد؛ افسردگیم را برای خودم نگه می دارم.
__________________________________________
کاملا آرام هستم. دارم خودم را با دورنمای آینده وفق می دهم، و این نه ناراحتم می کند و نه برایم تکان دهنده است.
__________________________________________
هر از گاهی این احساس بسیار عجیب را دارم ک دلم واقعا نمی خواهد این مکان [زندان] را ترک کنم. دست کم حالا نه.
اینجا دچار حال و هوایی می شوی ک تا حدی ب خواب زمستانی می ماند. خودت را مجاز می دانی ک با روزمرگی قالبی زندگی زندان کنار بیایی. در خواب مرگ نمای شیرین ذهنی غرق شوی و فکر بازگشت ب دنیای خبیث ک عزم مدام می طلبد، هولناک می شود.
__________________________________________
هرچیزی ممکن است و من خوشحالم ک خودم را ذهنا برای بدترین پیامدها آماده کرده ام. چسبیدن ب امید مبهم خیلی بد است، فقط آدم را نا امیدتر می کند.
__________________________________________
ب من بیندیش اما ب تلخی هایم نه.
__________________________________________
November 14, 2010
My favorite part is after a long letter of esoteric ramblings about worldview and ideology he ends with "If the BeeGees have a new album out you must buy it!"
Love it.
Love it.
February 23, 2009
Vaclav Havel's website is
http://www.vaclavhavel.cz/Index.php?&...
Václav Havel grew up in a well-known entrepreneurial and intellectual family, which was closely linked to the cultural and political events in Czechoslovakia from the 1920's to the 1940's. Because of these links the communists did not allow Havel to study formally after having completed required schooling in 1951. In the first part of the 1950's, a young Václav Havel entered into a four-year apprenticeship as a chemical laboratory assistant and simultaneously took evening classes to complete his secondary education (which he did in 1954). For political reasons he was not accepted into any post-secondary school with a humanities program; therefore, he opted to study at the Faculty of Economics of Czech Technical University. He left this program after two years.
The intellectual tradition of his family compelled Václav Havel to pursue the humanitarian values of Czech culture, which were harshly suppressed in the 1950's. Following his return from two years of military service, he worked as a stage technician - first at Divadlo ABC, and then, in 1960, at Divadlo Na zabradli. From 1962 until 1966, he studied Drama by correspondence at the Faculty of Theatre of the Academy of Musical Arts, and completed his studies with a commentary on the play "Eduard", which became the basis of his own "The Increased Difficulty of Concentration".
Beginning in the 1960s, his work turned to focus on the politics of Czechoslovakia. After the Prague Spring, he became increasingly active. In 1977, his involvement with the human rights manifesto Charter 77 brought him international fame as the leader of the opposition in Czechoslovakia; it also led to his imprisonment. The 1989 "Velvet Revolution" launched Havel into the presidency. In this role he led Czechoslovakia and later the Czech Republic to multi-party democracy. His thirteen years in office saw radical change in his nation, including its split with Slovakia, which Havel opposed, its accession into NATO and start of the negotiations for membership in the European Union, which was completed in 2004.
Letters to Olga were written to his wife during his imprisonment.
http://www.vaclavhavel.cz/Index.php?&...
Václav Havel grew up in a well-known entrepreneurial and intellectual family, which was closely linked to the cultural and political events in Czechoslovakia from the 1920's to the 1940's. Because of these links the communists did not allow Havel to study formally after having completed required schooling in 1951. In the first part of the 1950's, a young Václav Havel entered into a four-year apprenticeship as a chemical laboratory assistant and simultaneously took evening classes to complete his secondary education (which he did in 1954). For political reasons he was not accepted into any post-secondary school with a humanities program; therefore, he opted to study at the Faculty of Economics of Czech Technical University. He left this program after two years.
The intellectual tradition of his family compelled Václav Havel to pursue the humanitarian values of Czech culture, which were harshly suppressed in the 1950's. Following his return from two years of military service, he worked as a stage technician - first at Divadlo ABC, and then, in 1960, at Divadlo Na zabradli. From 1962 until 1966, he studied Drama by correspondence at the Faculty of Theatre of the Academy of Musical Arts, and completed his studies with a commentary on the play "Eduard", which became the basis of his own "The Increased Difficulty of Concentration".
Beginning in the 1960s, his work turned to focus on the politics of Czechoslovakia. After the Prague Spring, he became increasingly active. In 1977, his involvement with the human rights manifesto Charter 77 brought him international fame as the leader of the opposition in Czechoslovakia; it also led to his imprisonment. The 1989 "Velvet Revolution" launched Havel into the presidency. In this role he led Czechoslovakia and later the Czech Republic to multi-party democracy. His thirteen years in office saw radical change in his nation, including its split with Slovakia, which Havel opposed, its accession into NATO and start of the negotiations for membership in the European Union, which was completed in 2004.
Letters to Olga were written to his wife during his imprisonment.
January 20, 2012
I enjoyed reading "Letters to Olga," written when Václav Havel was in prison. It's a combination of banal writing and pretty deep thoughts on faith, meaning, and Being. In particular, I like how Havel describes faith as creating its object; meaning becoming evident as you put concepts in context; and Being on the "absolute horizon." His valedictions are alternately touching and witty, from "Kisses," and "Your faithful, lifelong traveler --" to "Your apparent recluse," and "I’m not dead yet, just intoxicated with penicillin and everything." Great book!
February 26, 2019
Tohle je moc těžké. Moc jsem chtěla, aby se mi Dopisy líbily, ale přese všechno snahu a sebezapírání to prostě nešlo. Je to strašná nuda a dopisy podle mě neměly být určeny ke knižnímu vydání.
Ostatně, sám Havel píše
Pokud vynechám srozumitelnější pasáže týkající se praktických věcí, jsou Havlovy úvahy repetitivní, nesrozumitelné a vzhledem k tomu, že velká část z nich se zabývá filosofií divadla, pro mne taky bohužel k unudění nezajímavé. Přesto jsem si tu našla několik hezkých myšlenek.
Na dopisech je samozřejmě znát v jaké situaci je Havel psal a právě proto je tak těžké je číst - vůbec nic se v nich neděje, protože život ve vězení byl jednotvárný a šedý. Havel se proto rozepisuje o filosofii, svých zdravotních problémech, nebo nabádá Olgu, co mu má přinést při příští návštěvě, a co má nechat natřít či opravit na Hrádečku a jaké nové desky má koupit (Bee Gees, Pink Floyd).
Příklad takového vězeňského nákupního seznamu:
Vím, ono to dopisování v dané situaci nebylo lehké. Všechny dopisy procházely kontrolou. Nesměly obsahovat žádné konkrétní zmínky o lidech "zvenčí", jinak byly prostě a jednoduše zabaveny.
Prakticky v rámci každého dopisu si zároveň stěžuje, že mu Olga píše buď málo často, nebo nedostatečně podrobně, nebo obojí.
Některé části jsou roztomile dojemné:
Anebo:
Jiné překvapivé:
Jiné hluboké:
nebo:
Nebo dokonce dodnes aktuální:
Další zajímavé poznatky ze života VH:
- Šikana v dětství (kdy ho děti plácaly po tlustých stechnech)
- Zájem o částicovou fyziku
- Fakt šílené chutě (chleba s Herou a česnekem)
A to by mi stačilo. Prý je moc dobrá hra na motivy Dopisů v Divadle v Dlouhé. Snad raději zkusím tu.
Ostatně, sám Havel píše
Přečetl jsem si po sobě, co jsem včera napsal, a zjistil jsem, že dopisy tohoto druhu mi v mé pozůstalosti žádnou slávu dělat nebudou.
Pokud vynechám srozumitelnější pasáže týkající se praktických věcí, jsou Havlovy úvahy repetitivní, nesrozumitelné a vzhledem k tomu, že velká část z nich se zabývá filosofií divadla, pro mne taky bohužel k unudění nezajímavé. Přesto jsem si tu našla několik hezkých myšlenek.
Na dopisech je samozřejmě znát v jaké situaci je Havel psal a právě proto je tak těžké je číst - vůbec nic se v nich neděje, protože život ve vězení byl jednotvárný a šedý. Havel se proto rozepisuje o filosofii, svých zdravotních problémech, nebo nabádá Olgu, co mu má přinést při příští návštěvě, a co má nechat natřít či opravit na Hrádečku a jaké nové desky má koupit (Bee Gees, Pink Floyd).
Příklad takového vězeňského nákupního seznamu:
Ameriky nebo Sparty, tlusté doutníky, čaj, tuhá kolínská voda, hodně voňavý olej na pleť, olej na opalování, tygří mast, mýdlo, zubní kartáček a pasty, exkluzivní ústní voda, Tik-Taky, nějaká čokoláda hodně čokoládovitá, sušené bylinky na ochucování jídel, instantní kakao, kousek ementálu nebo rokfóru nebo obou, poštovní známky, čínské pero nového typu, pomerančové a grapefruitové šťávy v prášku,různé lahůdky dle tvé fantazie, mohou to být sladkosti, ale stejně uvítám cokoliv pikantního nebo i třeba malý kousek masa nebo šunky. Česnek, cibuli, citrony, jablka apod. vozit nemusíš.
Vím, ono to dopisování v dané situaci nebylo lehké. Všechny dopisy procházely kontrolou. Nesměly obsahovat žádné konkrétní zmínky o lidech "zvenčí", jinak byly prostě a jednoduše zabaveny.
Do třetice mi bylo včera oznámeno, že mi došel další dopis od Tebe, že mi ale předán nebude, protože tam jsou pozdravy od různých známých, a já mohu přijímat vzkazy a pozdravy jen od příbuzných. Ani přiložené fotky mi předány nebudou. Škoda.
Prakticky v rámci každého dopisu si zároveň stěžuje, že mu Olga píše buď málo často, nebo nedostatečně podrobně, nebo obojí.
Některé části jsou roztomile dojemné:
Ten šperk se jakžtakž povedl, ale kreslit Ti ho nebudu - ať to je překvapení. Pokusil jsem se mu dát trochu secesní přídech. Doufejme, že správně ztvrdne (je to celé z chleba, s jinými materiály pracovat neumím). Šňůrku si k tomu budeš muset přidělat sama.
Anebo:
především Ti zavčas přeju všechno nejlepší k narozeninám a svátku, k nimž Ti jako dar dávám tu Babetu nebo jak se to jmenuje. Ale jestli z toho spadneš a natlučeš si, budu moc naštvanej!
Jiné překvapivé:
Dnes večer si s kolegou uspořádáme silvestrovskou hostinu. Už se těším. O půlnoci si připijeme místo šampaňským celaskonem effervescens. Na Nový rok sníme grapefruit. (Celkově musím říct, že teď hrozně moc jím a břicho mi utěšeně roste. Při józe to ale kupodivu nevadí.)
Jiné hluboké:
zjistil, jsem, že při delším pobytu ve vězení hrozí citlivějším lidem nebezpečí, že zatrpknou a zanevřou na celý svět, otupí, rezignují a stanou se dost sobeckými. Jedním z mých hlavních cílů je, abych - ať už tu budu jakkoli dlouho - takovému nebezpečí ani trochu nepodlehl. Chci zůstat otevřený světu, neuzavírat se před ním sám do sebe, a uchovat si zájem o o ostatní lidi a lásku k nim. O různých lidech mám různá mínění, ale nemohu říct, že bych kohokoliv nenáviděl. V tomhle ohledu se nemíním změnit. Kdybych se změnil, znamenalo by to, že jsem prohrál. Nenávist nikdy nebyla ani mým programem, ani východiskem mého konání. A to se nesmí změnit.
nebo:
Odpovědnost nelze kázat, ale pouze nést, a tudíž nelze začít odjinud než sebe sama. Zní to sice legračně, ale je to tak: začít musím já. Zajímavá na tom ovšem je ještě jedna věc: že jakmile jednou začnu - totiž pokusím se teď a zde, tam kde jsem, a bez vytáčky, že jinde by to šlo třeba líp, bez bez velkých řečí a okatých gest, ale o to setrvaleji žít v souladu s "hlasem bytí", jak mu v sobě rozumím - jakmile tedy s tímto jednou začnu, tu náhle překvapen zjistím, že nejsem ani jediný, ani první, ani ten nejdůležitější, kdo se touto cestou vydal. Naděje, která se mi totiž v srdci tímto obratem otevřela, mi otevřela oči i pro vše nadějeplné, co zrak zaslepený leskem pobytových svodů nevidí či nechce vidět, protože by to mohlo narušit tradiční argument rezignujících: že vše je beztak ztraceno. Zda je či není vše ztraceno, záleží jen na tom, zda já sám jsem či nejsem ztracen.
Nebo dokonce dodnes aktuální:
Schválně si všimni toho, že když ti někdo začne nápadně často zdůrazňovat, jaké to je všechno kolem svinstvo, bývá to neklamným signálem toho, že se sám na nějaké menší svinstvíčko chystá.
Další zajímavé poznatky ze života VH:
- Šikana v dětství (kdy ho děti plácaly po tlustých stechnech)
- Zájem o částicovou fyziku
- Fakt šílené chutě (chleba s Herou a česnekem)
A to by mi stačilo. Prý je moc dobrá hra na motivy Dopisů v Divadle v Dlouhé. Snad raději zkusím tu.
October 10, 2007
This was an amazing book. When Vaclav Havel was jailed by the communist authorities in Czechoslovakia he wrote these letters to his wife Olga. They are fascinating. Towards the end the letters are longer and go deeply into Vaclav's political philosophy. But throughout the reader gets a deep feel for Vaclav's personality and his relationship with Olga. I mean, I can't wait until my husband writes me a letter from jail about his hemorrhoids or about the sexual dream he had about a mutual friend of ours!
July 16, 2024
Letters written by Havel during his many periods of imprisonment. Extensive analysis of himself, but also deep reflections on people and society. Very humanistic view on life and reality.
March 26, 2017
There’s an uncomfortable amount of serendipity in my life right now; this is just one example. Details are unimportant but suffice (it ;-) to say that this book made it to me through a long chain of highly improbable events. Had any of those events not taken place, my life would be much poorer now. I'm in a mood right now of deep appreciation for the workings of the Universe. Some musing on the countless chains that never saw completion, some wondering on what those might have brought... but by far I’m overwhelmed with delight about this one. But enough of that.
This is an exquisite work. Admittedly dull at times, impenetrable others (I never could connect with his talk of horizon and Being), but then he goes off on human morality, behavior, weakness, power, responsibility, freedom, and it's like he grabs every speck of your attention and takes you on a ride where for brief moments you feel you truly understand the human condition; ending up breathless, having to close the book, ponder on what you've just read, maybe read it again. Havel’s perceptions and insights are exquisite; the way he communicates them is sublime.
This is not an easy work. Havel does not write in sound-bites or memes. It took me some months to get through. It is worth it.
This is an exquisite work. Admittedly dull at times, impenetrable others (I never could connect with his talk of horizon and Being), but then he goes off on human morality, behavior, weakness, power, responsibility, freedom, and it's like he grabs every speck of your attention and takes you on a ride where for brief moments you feel you truly understand the human condition; ending up breathless, having to close the book, ponder on what you've just read, maybe read it again. Havel’s perceptions and insights are exquisite; the way he communicates them is sublime.
This is not an easy work. Havel does not write in sound-bites or memes. It took me some months to get through. It is worth it.
October 14, 2025
Přestože to pro mě nebylo jednoduché částmi číst, vzhledem ke složitosti textu, je za mě tahle kniha úžasná. Můj obdiv k Havlovi a dalším, podílejícím se na chartě 77, VONS, a jiným, kteří byli proti minulému režimu, opět jen vzrostl.
September 4, 2017
Prin scrisorile sale, Havel caută să construiască ideea Orizontului Existenței și conturarea respectiv a existenței omului în baza responsabilității, conștiinții și altor valori morale, în timpul perioadei de prizoneriat politic.
Un mic pasaj întru a vă tenta în a citi această culegere:
"Acest proces de "a se împăca cu sensul" este cea mai complexă, cea mai obscură, și în același timp, cea mai importantă experiență fizico-existențialistă prin care poate trece o persoană în decursul vieții."
Un mic pasaj întru a vă tenta în a citi această culegere:
"Acest proces de "a se împăca cu sensul" este cea mai complexă, cea mai obscură, și în același timp, cea mai importantă experiență fizico-existențialistă prin care poate trece o persoană în decursul vieții."
May 29, 2025
'Letters to Olga' was good, but shouldn't have expected too much, as the letters were written by Vaclav Havel to his wife, during his imprisonment from 1979 to 1983, under the communist regime, in Czechoslovakia. But the introduction written by Paul Wilson was great and very informative.
March 1, 2021
Man ļoti patīk iegādāties grāmatas. Kaut kur soctīklos manīju klīstam apgalvojumu, ka grāmatu pirkšana un grāmatu lasīšana ir divi atšķirīgi hobiji. Pilnībā piekrītu.
Šo grāmatu iegādājos pirms vairākiem gadiem kādā izpārdošanā. Nejaušas grāmatas tā nereti atrod ceļu pie manis. Bet tām grāmatām ir arīdzan liels risks ilgi palikt plauktā nelasītām. Vienu brīdi jau skatījos uz šādu grāmatu kaudzīti un domāju, ka varbūt labāk atdot kādam, lai vismaz tiek lasītas, jo pašu māca šaubas, ka tuvākajā laikā pieķeršos pie tām. Tomēr pēc kāda laiciņa viena grāmata tika "glābta". Uz to mani pamudināja jaunās Baraka Obamas grāmatas klausīšanās, kurā viņš Vāclavu Havelu ierindoja vienu no cienījamāko pasaules personu klubiņā. Tā kā man nebija citu zināšanu par šo vīru, izņemot to, ka viņš bijis Čehijas prezidents, tas mani mudināja uzzināt vairāk, tāpēc ņēmu rokās "Vēstules Olgai".
Grāmata ir Vāclava Havela vēstuļu apkopojums, kuras viņš rakstīja savai sievai, izciešot 4 gadu ilgu cietumsodu par pretvalstiskām darbībām (okupētajā Čehoslovākijā). Vēstules ir neizmainītas, izņemot dažas, no kurām izņemts atkārtojošs teksts, ir tikai Vāclava sūtītās vēstules, bez atbildes vēstulēm.
Lai arī cietuma korespondencē darbojas cenzūra, tomēr daudz no rakstītā ir ticis tai cauri. Protams, autors arī zina aizliegtos tematus, tāpēc cenšas pēc iespējas runāt tikai par sevi un savām sajūtām, no cietuma dzīves daudz stāstīt nav ļauts. Tāpēc nevar uzzināt, kādus darbus Havels cietumā veicis, tik to vien pastāsta, ka darbs bijis smags.
Sākotnēji viņš ir apņēmības pilns viņam "doto" laiku izmantot lietderīgi, mācoties valodas, attīstot sevi un uzrakstot kādu lugu, tomēr laika gaitā izrādās, ka tam visam nepietiek ne laika, ne enerģijas, kā arī sadzīves apstākļi to nebūt neveicina, attiecīgi paliek tikai vēstuļu rakstīšana un šis tas no valodu mācībām.
Interesanta ir V.Havela centība dzīvot līdzi dzīvei "ārpus", instruējot sievu par visādām saimnieciskajām lietām, ko viņai vajadzētu izdarīt un sakārtot, bet daudz arī, burtiski katrā vēstulē, viņš izrāda savu sarūgtinājumu par retajām vēstulēm no sievas puses. Tas man, kā vērotājai no malas sāka šķist "par daudz". Bet, spriežot pēc tā, ka vēstuļu sūtīšana ar atbildēm uz jautājumiem turpinājās, varēja noprast, ka sieva to pārāk ļaunā nebija ņēmusi un ar laiku pat varbūt labojās, jo uz grāmatas beigām žēlabas par vēstuļu retumu pazuda. :)
Interesanti tāda vēstuļu lasīšana liek iepazīt cilvēku - kā viņam patīk kārtība, runas un domu struktūra. Ik pa laikam viņš arī savus domu tematus sastrukturēja pa tēmām un iztirzāja vienu tematu vairāku vēstuļu garumā, nepieļaujot biežas un plašas atkāpes no tēmas.
Lasot Vāclava Havela vēstules, neviļus aizdomājos par to, kā un ko es pati rakstītu, ja būtu ierobežota telpā un tēmās, ko drīkstu apspriest?
Šo grāmatu iegādājos pirms vairākiem gadiem kādā izpārdošanā. Nejaušas grāmatas tā nereti atrod ceļu pie manis. Bet tām grāmatām ir arīdzan liels risks ilgi palikt plauktā nelasītām. Vienu brīdi jau skatījos uz šādu grāmatu kaudzīti un domāju, ka varbūt labāk atdot kādam, lai vismaz tiek lasītas, jo pašu māca šaubas, ka tuvākajā laikā pieķeršos pie tām. Tomēr pēc kāda laiciņa viena grāmata tika "glābta". Uz to mani pamudināja jaunās Baraka Obamas grāmatas klausīšanās, kurā viņš Vāclavu Havelu ierindoja vienu no cienījamāko pasaules personu klubiņā. Tā kā man nebija citu zināšanu par šo vīru, izņemot to, ka viņš bijis Čehijas prezidents, tas mani mudināja uzzināt vairāk, tāpēc ņēmu rokās "Vēstules Olgai".
Grāmata ir Vāclava Havela vēstuļu apkopojums, kuras viņš rakstīja savai sievai, izciešot 4 gadu ilgu cietumsodu par pretvalstiskām darbībām (okupētajā Čehoslovākijā). Vēstules ir neizmainītas, izņemot dažas, no kurām izņemts atkārtojošs teksts, ir tikai Vāclava sūtītās vēstules, bez atbildes vēstulēm.
Lai arī cietuma korespondencē darbojas cenzūra, tomēr daudz no rakstītā ir ticis tai cauri. Protams, autors arī zina aizliegtos tematus, tāpēc cenšas pēc iespējas runāt tikai par sevi un savām sajūtām, no cietuma dzīves daudz stāstīt nav ļauts. Tāpēc nevar uzzināt, kādus darbus Havels cietumā veicis, tik to vien pastāsta, ka darbs bijis smags.
Sākotnēji viņš ir apņēmības pilns viņam "doto" laiku izmantot lietderīgi, mācoties valodas, attīstot sevi un uzrakstot kādu lugu, tomēr laika gaitā izrādās, ka tam visam nepietiek ne laika, ne enerģijas, kā arī sadzīves apstākļi to nebūt neveicina, attiecīgi paliek tikai vēstuļu rakstīšana un šis tas no valodu mācībām.
Interesanta ir V.Havela centība dzīvot līdzi dzīvei "ārpus", instruējot sievu par visādām saimnieciskajām lietām, ko viņai vajadzētu izdarīt un sakārtot, bet daudz arī, burtiski katrā vēstulē, viņš izrāda savu sarūgtinājumu par retajām vēstulēm no sievas puses. Tas man, kā vērotājai no malas sāka šķist "par daudz". Bet, spriežot pēc tā, ka vēstuļu sūtīšana ar atbildēm uz jautājumiem turpinājās, varēja noprast, ka sieva to pārāk ļaunā nebija ņēmusi un ar laiku pat varbūt labojās, jo uz grāmatas beigām žēlabas par vēstuļu retumu pazuda. :)
Interesanti tāda vēstuļu lasīšana liek iepazīt cilvēku - kā viņam patīk kārtība, runas un domu struktūra. Ik pa laikam viņš arī savus domu tematus sastrukturēja pa tēmām un iztirzāja vienu tematu vairāku vēstuļu garumā, nepieļaujot biežas un plašas atkāpes no tēmas.
Lasot Vāclava Havela vēstules, neviļus aizdomājos par to, kā un ko es pati rakstītu, ja būtu ierobežota telpā un tēmās, ko drīkstu apspriest?
December 29, 2007
I read this book while studying in the Czech Republic, where Havel eventually rose to the presidency in the early 1990s. This book,composed of a series of letters to his wife while serving time as a political prisoner, reads more like philosophical treatise than anything else. Couched between admonishments for failing to write to him and reminders to take care of certain domestic issues that Havel feels are being neglected while he is away, one can find really interesting discussions of one person's responsibility to act, among other things.
January 21, 2009
Havel is one of my heroes and these letters present the softer side of one of the greatest leaders in modern times.
April 13, 2020
Sehr viele philosophische Betrachtungen dazu, wie Havel zum Menschen, zur Verantwortung und zum Theater steht.
June 3, 2017
This is a series of letters Vaclav Havel wrote while in prison for his anti-communist activities and it's an interesting mixture of philosophy, descriptions of life in jail and logistical issues. The biographic parts I found to be quite interesting, just like the fact that many of these letters passed censorship, even though one may read quite a lot between the lines. The letters also reveal quite a bit about the personality of a man who is now almost mythical, but who actually had a few flaws and some rather peculiar interests.
The fact that we never get to see the replies makes reading the letters a bit odd. Also, the philosophical part got me lost at times, maybe also because I did not read the work he keeps on making reference to. But it's useful for understanding his ideas about life and our purpose on earth. Overall, an interesting set of letters for anyone who wants to find out more about the time period and Vaclav Havel.
The fact that we never get to see the replies makes reading the letters a bit odd. Also, the philosophical part got me lost at times, maybe also because I did not read the work he keeps on making reference to. But it's useful for understanding his ideas about life and our purpose on earth. Overall, an interesting set of letters for anyone who wants to find out more about the time period and Vaclav Havel.
April 23, 2021
At first i was quiet bored. I love Havel’s plays, but this is different, more philosophical, which i don’t like that much in general. Nevertheless, the book starts with painful „orders with amount of toothpaste in the package“ which goes until about first half of the book.
Here and that there are some shorter ideas to think about, but it’s really tough to understand as the author wrote from the jail. He had to be careful what topics is he discussing, some letters were missing, letters to him are also not part of the book.. it must have been really hard. Despite that towards the last third of the book his essays are longer, better, more developed, touching philosophical, spiritual and existential topic. Until these topics are not particularly my favorite genre, the gradual development, especially the gran finale essay spanning in several letters, is mind blowing!
Here and that there are some shorter ideas to think about, but it’s really tough to understand as the author wrote from the jail. He had to be careful what topics is he discussing, some letters were missing, letters to him are also not part of the book.. it must have been really hard. Despite that towards the last third of the book his essays are longer, better, more developed, touching philosophical, spiritual and existential topic. Until these topics are not particularly my favorite genre, the gradual development, especially the gran finale essay spanning in several letters, is mind blowing!
February 8, 2021
La literatura de prisión siempre aporta luz y claridad para pensar sobre los aspectos más importantes -y también los más triviales- de la vida humana moderna, quizá porque de cierta forma, todos vivimos en nuestra propia prisión personal y colectiva.
En Cartas a Olga conviven los informes sobre lo sublime y lo ordinario de la vida en las prisiones comunistas de la Checoslovaquia comunista, al hacer uso Havel de sus cartas para reflexionar acerca de su experiencia como disidente, como dramaturgo, y hasta como filósofo aficionado (mostrando, por otra parte, que el filosofar es una actividad de la que todo ser humano es capaz).
En Cartas a Olga conviven los informes sobre lo sublime y lo ordinario de la vida en las prisiones comunistas de la Checoslovaquia comunista, al hacer uso Havel de sus cartas para reflexionar acerca de su experiencia como disidente, como dramaturgo, y hasta como filósofo aficionado (mostrando, por otra parte, que el filosofar es una actividad de la que todo ser humano es capaz).
September 3, 2019
'Must read' visiem, kam ir attiecības un visiem, kas kādreiz tādās gribētu būt. Havela cietumā sievai rakstītās vēstules liek uz mūsdienu problēmu - konstanto un nepārtraukto kontaktu ar citiem - paskatīties no pavisam citas perspektīvas. Grāmatā ir tikai Havela rakstītais, bet ne Olgas atbildes, kas to visu padara tikai interesantāku. Cannot recommend enough. (but maybe it's just me)
October 15, 2020
O carte foarte interesantă, care surprinde experiența pe care a avut-o scriitorul în închisoare. În scrisorile pe care autorul le trimite soției sale, Olga, surprinde teme ale existențialismului, lumea teatrului, precum și observații pe care le face asupra schimbărilor survenite în timp în societate.
December 13, 2024
Man, I wanted to like this book but it was way to hard to get through. There were some good nuggets, but they were too few and far between. I only made it about a third of the way through so maybe I just didn't stick with it long enough.
September 8, 2018
Tough philosophical content that requires very patient reading.
February 2, 2025
Casually discovering one of the greatest writers of all the time in a random Tuesday by letters he wrote to his wife from his Imprisonment period
December 28, 2011
Přiznám se, že tohle Havlovo dílo jsem četl pro účely připravované vzpomínkové piety Václava Havla na Vsetíně. Přesto mě zaujal jeho styl, nálehavost a jeho nadčasovost. Ještě více si uvědomuji, že právě tahle práce bude nejvíce čtena až zase bude ohrožována demokracie a morálního hodnoty, neboť lidé nemají potřebu se k těmto textům vracet, když není ohrožována jejich osobní svoboda.
96) 3. 10. 1981
Milá Olgo,
v posledních letech jsem poznal několik inteligentních a slušných lidí, které jejich
osud poznamenal velmi zřetelně a podle mého názoru velmi tragicky: zatrpkli, zanevřeli
na lidi i na svět a ztratili víru v cokoliv. Nezávisle na sobě se dopracovali k přesvědčení,
že lidé jsou špatní, sobečtí a zlí, že nikomu nelze věřit a nikomu nemá smysl pomáhat, že
nestojí za to o něco usilovat a cokoliv napravovat, že všechny mravní zásady, vyšší cíle a
nadosobní ideály jsou jen naivními utopiemi, a že je třeba přijmout svět „takový, jaký je“,
to jest nezměnitelně špatný, a zařídit se podle toho. To znamená: na nikoho a na nic se
neohlížet, starat se jen o sebe a snažit se pokud možno v klidu a nenápadně dožít svůj
život.Podlehnout této životní filosofii není v jistých mezních podmínkách nikterak těžké.
Přesto považuji životní rezignaci, jejímž projevem taková filosofie je, za nejsmutnější
druh lidského pádu. Protože to je pád tam, kde život opravdu ztrácí smysl.
Vybavuji si, co jsem kdy (teoretického) napsal a kolik v tom bylo chyb, nepřesností a neobratností;
pokud jde o hry, zdá se mi, že jsem jich napsal hrozně málo a defilují přede mnou
všechny jejich vady; srovnávám se s jinými a znovu a znovu si musím uvědomovat, oč
lépe a smysluplněji si v různých situacích počínali a čeho všeho dosáhli; vyčítám si
nedostatek nápadů a energie a pochybuji o tom, že ještě někdy něco slušného napíšu (a
přitom bych toho tolik chtěl sdělit – ale budu vůbec schopen to nějak sdělit?); vyčítám si,
že vlastně nemám žádné pořádné vzdělání a nic defakto neumím (dokonce ani neumím
napsat každý týden jeden hezký dopis domů jako Vašík); jsem si protivný fyzicky
(podbradek, váčky pod očima a tak), jsou mi protivné mé zvyky, má zdvořilost (v tomto
prostředí tak nevhodná) a rozpačitost; zdá se mi, že nemám dost síly, rozhodnosti a
dobrého rozmaru a že jsem prostě celkově k ničemu a nic kloudného mne v životě už
nečeká (co ve mně bylo, jsem dávno vydal) a že správně bych tu měl vlastně hnít už na
doživotí, protože co se mnou venku.
96) 3. 10. 1981
Milá Olgo,
v posledních letech jsem poznal několik inteligentních a slušných lidí, které jejich
osud poznamenal velmi zřetelně a podle mého názoru velmi tragicky: zatrpkli, zanevřeli
na lidi i na svět a ztratili víru v cokoliv. Nezávisle na sobě se dopracovali k přesvědčení,
že lidé jsou špatní, sobečtí a zlí, že nikomu nelze věřit a nikomu nemá smysl pomáhat, že
nestojí za to o něco usilovat a cokoliv napravovat, že všechny mravní zásady, vyšší cíle a
nadosobní ideály jsou jen naivními utopiemi, a že je třeba přijmout svět „takový, jaký je“,
to jest nezměnitelně špatný, a zařídit se podle toho. To znamená: na nikoho a na nic se
neohlížet, starat se jen o sebe a snažit se pokud možno v klidu a nenápadně dožít svůj
život.Podlehnout této životní filosofii není v jistých mezních podmínkách nikterak těžké.
Přesto považuji životní rezignaci, jejímž projevem taková filosofie je, za nejsmutnější
druh lidského pádu. Protože to je pád tam, kde život opravdu ztrácí smysl.
Vybavuji si, co jsem kdy (teoretického) napsal a kolik v tom bylo chyb, nepřesností a neobratností;
pokud jde o hry, zdá se mi, že jsem jich napsal hrozně málo a defilují přede mnou
všechny jejich vady; srovnávám se s jinými a znovu a znovu si musím uvědomovat, oč
lépe a smysluplněji si v různých situacích počínali a čeho všeho dosáhli; vyčítám si
nedostatek nápadů a energie a pochybuji o tom, že ještě někdy něco slušného napíšu (a
přitom bych toho tolik chtěl sdělit – ale budu vůbec schopen to nějak sdělit?); vyčítám si,
že vlastně nemám žádné pořádné vzdělání a nic defakto neumím (dokonce ani neumím
napsat každý týden jeden hezký dopis domů jako Vašík); jsem si protivný fyzicky
(podbradek, váčky pod očima a tak), jsou mi protivné mé zvyky, má zdvořilost (v tomto
prostředí tak nevhodná) a rozpačitost; zdá se mi, že nemám dost síly, rozhodnosti a
dobrého rozmaru a že jsem prostě celkově k ničemu a nic kloudného mne v životě už
nečeká (co ve mně bylo, jsem dávno vydal) a že správně bych tu měl vlastně hnít už na
doživotí, protože co se mnou venku.
October 1, 2014
This one might be "abandoned for now" rather than forever, due to library due dates.
I'm half Czech, but know next to nothing about the country from which my mother's family came. Letters to Olga is a collection of letters Havel wrote to his wife while imprisoned for his human rights activities. Havel later became president of Czechoslovakia. Abandoned on page 35 (for now?).
I'm half Czech, but know next to nothing about the country from which my mother's family came. Letters to Olga is a collection of letters Havel wrote to his wife while imprisoned for his human rights activities. Havel later became president of Czechoslovakia. Abandoned on page 35 (for now?).
July 18, 2013
I found much of Havel's writing to be interesting philosophies on life, culture, theatre, etc. Clearly his state of mind evolved over this period of time and his writing reflects this change in priorities and his relationship with his wife Olga who was his contact to the outside.
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