Saturnin - a perfect introduction to Czech humorous writing












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            * Saturnin - a perfect introduction to Czech humorous writing
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            Saturnin, the 1942 novel by Zdeňek Jirotka, has proved to be enduringly popular with Czech

            it's not hard to see why. The novel tells the story of a well-to-do young man and his misc
            witted servant, as they encounter demanding family members, charming young women, escaped 
            troublesome plates of doughnuts.  With an English translation currently in reprint from th

            press, Saturnin [ URL "http://www.cupress.cuni.cz/ink2_stat/index.jsp?include=edice_detail
            perfect introduction to Czech humorous writing. This novel is currently for sale in hard-b
            the Charles University bookshop.

            Written at a time of international turmoil, Saturnin provided readers from the 1940s with 
            enjoyable story, full of funny plots and intrigues, ironic philosophical musings and an un

            character. The novel's popularity has not waned since its first publication; Saturnin has 
            film and television and translated into six foreign languages. 
            The story begins when the unnamed narrator hires a "gentleman's gentleman", the titular Sa

            soon emerges that Saturnin is far from an ordinary manservant. As he performs his duties, 
            slowly sets about transforming his boring employer into a man of mystery and adventure. Th
            novel moves around from a houseboat on the Vltava to a secluded, remote country house, and

            characters succeed in both creating and resolving extraordinary situations wherever they g
            boasts a rich array of characters, such as the wise Dr. Witherspoon, the charming Miss Bar
            mercenary aunt who plagues the narrator throughout the book. The stand-out character is of

            a manservant in the tradition of P. G. Wodehouse's Jeeves and yet interpreted in a wholly 
            Although the title character of the novel, Saturnin's presence appears to always be on the
            plot and the clueless narrator never quite realises the extent of Saturnin's influence on 

            events surrounding him. Saturnin is an enigma throughout the story, he is at once dangerou
            and as such is a wonderful comic catalyst for the events that occur in the novel.
            Saturnin is written in a light-hearted style, combining first person narration with witty 

            and anecdotes. The novel frequently deviates from the plot to enumerate far-fetched theori
            human behaviour (for example, the novel's famous theory that all people can be categorized
            their reaction to a plate of doughnuts). However, far from disrupting the plot, these flig

            well within the novel's episodic nature, and provide much of the novel's humour. Though th
            novel may seem light-hearted and superficial, the novel's subtle ironies and satire preven
            becoming a saccharine modern fairy-tale. Without doubt, the novel is as sharp as it is swe

            even unafraid to turn his satiric vision on to fiction itself, as the final chapter gently
            novels of the day.
            Though Zdeněk Jirotka was undoubtedly influenced by contemporary European comic writers su

            Wodehouse and Jerome K. Jerome, this novel does not feel like a mere imitation. It is rath
            interpretation of a classic comic set-up. Mark Corner's English translation does not shy a
            comparisons. Instead, his decision to use names from Wodehouse's novels for the minor char

            and Aunt Agatha) highlights the connection. Saturnin does not suffer by the comparison; th
            capable of holding its own against its British counterparts.
            The hardback edition of the novel is accompanied by Adolf Born's colour illustrations. The

            the whimsy of the story nicely and transform the novel into a colourful celebration of sto
            Although this novel may be a Czech treasure, it is easy for English language readers to un
            appreciate its many subtle ironies and laugh-out-loud moments. This novel is a delight to 

            particularly recommended for fans of Wodehouse and British humorous fiction.
                                                                                                      
                                                Sarah Bunce is a student of Literature from Trinity Co
                                                She enjoys the experience of studying in a foreign cit
                                                student of Literature, she also likes the experience o
                                                                                                      
                                                different set of cultural experiences to their underst