Thank you for joining us for a lovely evening of literary conversation featuring author Magdaléna Platzová, translator Alex Zucker, and scholar Veronika Tuckerová.
On Wednesday, November 23rd, the Czech Center New York hosted an insightful evening celebrating Life After Kafka, the latest novel by Magdaléna Platzová in its new English-language translation by Alex Zucker.
Life After Kafka delves into the life of Felice Bauer, Franz Kafka's former fiancée, beginning in 1935 as she flees with her children from Hitler’s Berlin. The novel traces Felice's journey, alongside Kafka’s close friends and associates—including Grete Bloch, Max Brod, and Salman Schocken—as they strive to escape the encroaching horrors of the Holocaust. Decades later, an unexpected visitor claiming to be Kafka’s son seeks out Felice’s son in Manhattan, reigniting the intrigue surrounding Kafka's letters to Felice.
The event featured special guests: author Magdaléna Platzová, translator Alex Zucker, and scholar Veronika Tuckerová. In a surprise addition, the granddaughter of Felice Bauer, Leah Green, joined the discussion, sharing personal insights that enriched Platzová's research and writing process.
The conversation covered Platzová’s creative journey, Alex Zucker’s translation experience, and an analysis of Kafka's portrayal in the novel and its influence on contemporary literature.
We extend our gratitude to all attendees for their thoughtful questions and contributions, which added depth to the evening. We hope you enjoyed the discussion and appreciated the unique chance to engage with our guests during the post-event book signing.
