What's the Name of That Book??? discussion

Man accidentally gets off airplane in wrong city; possibly in the Balkans (southeastern Europe). He cannot understand the language spoken there, and no one understands English (though a few people have a little broken German, if I remember correctly). His money is no good in that country, so he can't get a hotel room; he can't find out where the airport is since he has already taken a taxi or shuttle into the city. Name of city? He can't find out; ditto country, language, etc. I got the feeling the city was Ljubljana in Slovenia from its description. I can't remember how it ends. It was a great book -- makes you realize how precarious your life really is in this world.

When did you read it or around when was it published? Remember the cover? Author female or male? Would it be considered a dystopia, realism, or a philosophical novel?

Did you read it in English; was it a translation from some other language?

Aru, what's the time period?

Where is the man from, and where was he heading? What's his job?

What's the tone or genre - somber, funny, mystery, thriller, etc.?

Lobstergirl wrote: "When did you read it or around when was it published? Remember the cover? Author female or male? Would it be considered a dystopia, realism, or a philosophical novel?

Did you read it in English; ..."

I read it 3 or 4 years ago, though I don't know when it was published. The book was in English, by a native speaker of English, I think. I had the impression it was published fairly recently. I can't remember the cover, though I'm pretty sure it was written by a man. It was realistic; no magic or fantasy involved. It took place in the "present". It was only dystopic to the guy who was stuck in that very bad situation.

Kris wrote: "Aru, what's the time period?

Where is the man from, and where was he heading? What's his job?

What's the tone or genre - somber, funny, mystery, thriller, etc.?"

Little information was given (that I can remember); he was headed somewhere in Central Europe, I think. Why, I don't remember. It was very somber; the guy was screwed and had no idea how to get out of his situation.

Do you recall if reviewers referred to the book as Kafkaesque, assuming the man felt helpless and lost in a surreal nightmarish maze? The southeastern European setting would be a good fit.

Metropole (1970) by Ferenc Karinthy?

Kris: Metropole sure sounds like the book! Thank you for your help!

You're welcome! The Kafka analogy was the trick. I got lucky with a Google search, something like:

site:www.goodreads.com kafka man airplane wrong city

Kris: I never thought of the Kafka angle. Thanks!