Boundless Fantasy in the Czech Sci-Fi Realm
In Czechia Between the Lines, we invite you on an exhilarating journey through the universe of Czech science‑fiction literature—an adventure that, much like The Cosmonaut of Bohemia, The Visitors and other Czech sci‑fi films and series, truly transcends dimensions! The creators of these works are passionate about science, but they also relish in uncertainty. Czech stories within the sci-fi universe often playfully balance on the edge of sarcasm, philosophical musings, and a dash of conspiracy theories. They not only envision the future but also offer fresh perspectives on our present reality. Notable authors like Karel Čapek, Josef Nesvadba, and Ludvík Soucek have explored themes of robots and time travel while delving into what it truly means to be human, the ease with which we can distort the truth, and the chaos that ensues when societies and their established systems break apart.I contemporary Czech science fiction literature, often manages with minimalistic storytelling. You’ll discover this for yourself, just as you’ll uncover the vast universe that lies hidden in its pages. Don’t worry, you won’t get lost in alternate dimensions with Which Way from Boredom. Additionally, we will recommend which book to read to truly immerse yourself in this captivating genre. So let’s dive into it!
Science fiction in the Czech Republic
It is said that it all started with Comenius: groups of science fiction enthusiasts (commonly known as SF, standing for science fiction) often regard his early fantasy work, Labyrinth of the World and Paradise of the Heart, as the beginning of Czech science fiction. Although you won’t find cybernetics in this Baroque literary masterpiece, it is rich with parables, allegories, and journeys through one’s inner self. Comenius may have completed this meaningful piece of spiritual science fiction during a time when people feared hell more than they feared robots, in 1623, but his reflections continued to evolve for many years afterward.
Other foundational pillars of Czech science fiction were established in the latter half of the 19th century by authors such as Karel Pleskač in his novel Life on the Moon, Jakub Arbes with The Romance of Saint Xaverius, and Svatopluk Čech through Tales of Mr. Beetle. This writer humorously sent his remarkably ordinary hero to the moon in 1888, only to return him to the 15th century. Many subsequent authors, including Karel Čapek and modern writers, have followed in their footsteps. Dive into their short stories, novels, and tales that will transport you to exciting new realities with Which Way Out of Boredom.
What to read if you love science fiction, or from Čapek to Nesvadba
Among many literary genres, Karel Čapek (1890-1938) also dedicated himself to science fiction. Without Karel Čapek and his brother, Josef Čapek, we wouldn’t even have the term robot (let’s be honest, would sci-fi be the same without it?). We might also not ponder whether artificial intelligence possesses a soul. Capek didn’t create distant galaxies; rather, his apocalyptic visions unfolded in labs, offices, and the realm of human hubris. After his renowned play R.U.R. (Rossum’s Universal Robots, 1920), Čapek further contributed to science fiction with impactful works like the riveting novel Krakatit (1924) and the thought-provoking novel War with the Newts. When he married his long-term partner, actress Olga Scheinpflug (1902-1968), in 1935, they received the right to live in a house by Strž Pond near Dobříš as a wedding gift. It is here that you can visit the Karel Čapek Memorial, including his study. While robots were not birthed there, they existed elsewhere, but that’s not the case with newts. Čapek penned his satirical science fiction novel in 1935, which made its debut as a serialized piece in Lidové noviny around 1935 to 1936.
A notable figure of modern Czech science fiction is Ondřej Neff (*1945). He began writing science fiction at merely ten years old and has published over a hundred books since then. In the novel Darkness, he examines the consequences of civilization getting unplugged—literally. All electronic devices fail, and humanity finds itself thrust back into the Middle Ages. Neff’s dystopian tales focus not on rockets, but on individuals struggling to adapt without modern conveniences, often set in familiar environments. A suggestion out of boredom: venture to a large housing estate and discover the prefab jungle, where a second wave of apocalypse might very well take place. Pay attention to the contrasts: hyper-modern buildings may stand alongside those that would remain shrouded in darkness if the power were to fail.
The top-selling author in contemporary science fiction and fantasy literature is Jiří Kulhánek (*1967). He is known for being elusive, preferring not to give interviews and rarely appearing in public. Kulhánek’s novels Lords of Fear, The Way of Blood, and The Wild and the Wicked from the 1990s are celebrated not only for their compelling ideas and pacing but also for their accessibility. In antique shops, Kulhánek’s works are incredibly hard to find, often fetching astronomical prices. When a batch of his scarce books appeared at the second-hand bookstore Knihobot, they turned out to be forgeries.
Prolific science fiction author Miroslav Žamboch (*1972) is closely associated with Kulhánek for both his science fiction and action-packed literature filled with humor and charming protagonists. What are his most popular books? Those featuring The character Horse. He first appeared in a collection of short stories named The Last Takes All, but you can also find more tales with him. Because Žamboch tends to write extensively, even avid readers occasionally grumble— for instance, the novel The Lone Wolf is often referred to as “a hefty book that makes your hands ache.”
You might be familiar with The Journey to the Center of the Earth, penned by the famous author Jules Verne. It narrates the adventure of three daring men who embark on a journey through a volcano’s crater in Iceland, heading toward the planet’s core. A writer who follows in his footsteps is Ludvík Souček (1926-1978), recognized as the king of Czech conspiracy science fiction, particularly with his novel The Way of the Blind Birds. Within its pages, fresh explorers trace the path of an earlier expedition to uncover the enigma of radioactive birds without eyes. The next installment, titled Runa Rider, unveils how everything connects to Viking journeys across the seas. Souček’s worlds are filled with mysteries, and every adventure intertwines with aliens, ancient civilizations, and clandestine military regions. His characters navigate a blurred line between reality and myth, and Souček’s books are best enjoyed in secluded settings where radars once operated. Suggestion for Which Way Out of Boredom? Explore Brdy and its surrounding areas, Ralsko, and Hradčany, all treasured havens for science fiction fans, where remnants of former military bases, airports, lost villages, and abandoned bunkers lie. In such places, the silence is not empty—listen closely.
One of the most significant authors in science fiction during the latter half of the 20th century, besides Ludvík Souček, was the doctor and storyteller Josef Nesvadba (1926-2005). His notable stories such as The Death of Tarzan, Einstein’s Brain, and Expedition in the Opposite Direction are rich in irony, pose ethical dilemmas, and introduce bizarre scientific experiments. Reality transforms into a maze and time becomes another means of escape. In Nesvadba’s works, Prague is not just a setting; rather, it becomes a complex web of ideas, absurd scenarios, and fading socialist dreams that vanish like steam rising over the Vltava River. Where should you explore with Where to Go Out of Boredom? Anywhere that provides an experience of the city as a mirrored world—be it the industrial Karlín, Invalidovna seen as a scientific institution, or derelict areas in Strahov. Urban sci-fi captured in real-time.
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- Pandora’s Box by Jaroslav Veis (*1946) isn’t just a dystopian classic; it presents a world post-collapse where only technology that can outsmart itself endures. Veis’s writing style is sharp, straightforward, and refreshingly journalistic, making his future visions disturbingly relatable.
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- Just when it seemed that Czech science fiction was waning, Jiří Walker Procházka (*1959) emerged with his space western and cyberpunk series, featuring titles like Star Chasers and The Second Step to Nowhere. You’ll grasp the essence of his contributions after reading them. He has earned three accolades for his literary achievements, including the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror and the Ludvík Souček Award.
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- Vilma Kadlečková (*1971) occupies the space between science fiction and fantasy with her Mycelium Saga, blending these genres with rich mythology and psychedelic components. While some narratives unfold in far-off civilizations, Prague remains the focal point, especially its universities, research centers, and libraries.
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- Petra Neomillner (*1970) and her work Lota the Enchantress is the Czech equivalent of Sapkowski’s style. Lota navigates different worlds while also wrestling with village folklore, forest spirits, and human limitations. This fantasy resonates closely with classic Czech horror—richly tied to quaint villages where every cottage holds a secret. For ideal reading, according to Which Way Out of Boredom? Seek out dark, impenetrable forests brimming with magic.
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- Jana Rečková (1956-2018), while sometimes overlooked, is appreciated by those familiar with her work. Her fantasy tales incorporate subtle elements of horror, allowing reality to seep into alternate realms. This might include encounters from an alien world or coming from our own meadows and woodlands, as seen in The Valley of Sorrows or The Book of the Damned.
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- Many of us have roots in sci-fi from a young age: think of the well-loved animated series featuring the character Emil the Robot from the 1960s. A bit newer are Večerníček and Mácha with Šebestová, who, thanks to their earpiece, ventured farther than the Voyager spacecraft or the iconic space traveler, Mole. And we mustn’t forget the “Mrs. Colombo of Czech science fiction,” which are the Jů and Hele stuffed animals, whose origins may never be fully comprehended.
