The Czech Studies and German programs in the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures will host author Magdaléna Platzová on Oct. 18. The Luncheon Lecture event will feature a lecture, reading, and discussion by the author in 301 Burnett Hall and via Zoom at unl.zoom.us/j/482968109.
Platzová is the author of Life After Kafka, the story of Felice Bauer, the onetime fiancee of Franz Kafka known by scholars through his Letters to Felice. The new book, published by Bellevue Literary Press and translated by Alex Zucker, is a Magnesia Litera Award Finalist, a Hadassah Magazine "Books to Read" selection, a Library Journal "Review of the Day" selection, and a Literary Hub "New Books" selection.
She is the author of eight other books, including three novels published in English: Aaron's Leap, a Lidové Noviny Book of the Year Award finalist, and The Attempt, longlisted for the Dublin Literary Award and a Czech Book Award finalist. Her fiction has also appeared in A Public Space and Words Without Borders. Platzová grew up in the Czech Republic; studied in Washington, DC, and England; received her MA in Philosophy at Charles University in Prague; and has taught at New York University's Gallatin School. Her work has been translated from the Czech to English, German, French, and other languages.
