The reader does matter or how to tell a story about post-war Czechoslovakia

Abstract

The article focuses on a role of recipient in creating world depicted by authors writing in different conditions: as a domicile writer and as a writer in exile. As an example three novels were used: Báječná léta pod psa (1992) by Michal Viewegh, Ledová tříšť (Treibeis, 1992) and Zjasněná noc (Verklärte Nacht, 1997) by Libuše Moníková. Pascale Casanova’s methodology of dividing literatures and languages into two groups: „weak” and „strong” or „small” and „large” was applied. Author’s different circumstances lead to different styles of composition  of literary text: a domicile author is more intimate with their readers, uses mental leaps, irony and metaphors whereas an author in exile has to explain everything about their homeland, which results in comprehensive nearly essay-like passages of text. Reflections lead to a conclusion that writing is an act of patriotism for Moníková, who wants to familiarise her readers with the history of her motherland. On the other hand Vieweg’s writing is an act of self-expression.