Povdky a nov povdky – 8CD

This eight-CD audiobook set brings together all of Zdenk Svrks published and previously unreleased stories, performed mainly by the author, with Daniela Kolov and Libue afrnkov also taking on the role of narrator. The music is by Jaroslav Uhl. Svrk explains that while still at grammar school he decided to become a short-story writer and publish his stories in bound books, but instead spent his life writing film scripts, theatre texts and song lyrics. He finally fulfilled his youthful ambition with the collection Povdky, published in 2008, followed by Nov povdky in 2011, containing nine further stories. The audiobooks released between 2009 and 2015 originally omitted some stories; others later appeared under the title Hork nedle aneb Vynechan povdky or only in digital form. This complete set finally presents all the stories as Svrk wrote them. His narration combines humour, longing and sensuality with subtle characterisation, precise expression, mystery, erotic allure and surprising endings. The stories are linked by unexpected twists, believable and engaging characters, and sensitively observed details. Jaroslav Uhls music enhances the effect of the readings. The contents are in Czech.