The Cowards (1958)

Fascinating characters and times. Nicely told story and a beautifully-done contrast betwen world shattering events and the "normal" lives of people living them. ( )

Josef Skvorecky’s groundbreaking novel of he last days of the Nazi Protectorate of Czechoslovakia. Danny Smiricky is as concerned with woman and jazz as he is with the departure of the defeated Nazis and the advancing Soviet army. Still, there is no way to avoid the political absurdities that are just around the corner. ( )