The Good Soldier Svejk
The Good Soldier Svejk (occasionally, Schweik or Schwejk, and with extended titles) is a world-famous unfinished novel written by Czech humorist Jaroslav Hašek in the early 1920s. The original Czech title of the work is Osudy dobrého vojáka Švejka za světové války.
The novel tells a story of the Czech soldier Švejk, a cheerful idiot who undermines the Austrian army's war effort with his sloppiness and simple-mindedness, and exploits every possible situation for his own good.
The novel was never finished, because Hašek died in 1923 right in the middle of his work.
"Švejkovat", "to švejk" has since become a common Czech word. "Švejking" is the method for surviving "švejkÃÂárna", which is a situation or institution of systemic absurdity requiring the employment of "švejking" for one to survive and remain untouched by it.
At least three English-language translations of Švejk have been published:
English translations
The translations are generally perceived as evolving from good to better. The latest translation is still a work in progress: Book One is in print, Books Two, Three & Four are being edited and proofred in 2004.
Filmed versions
- A legendary Czech animator Jiri Trnka adapted the novel as an animated film in 1955, including Jan Werich starring as a narrator.
- A 13 part TV series in German, Die Abenteuer des braven Soldaten Schwejk, directed by Wolfgang Liebeneiner, was made and broadcast by the Austrian state TV (ORF) in 1972. The title role was played by Fritz Muliar.