HASEK, Jaroslav.

A miraculous comic novel set on the Eastern Front in the Great War featuring the desperate attempt at survival of a picaresque Ubu-like character, Schweik. Unsurprisingly Brecht would later adapt this work as Schweik in the Second World War to blistering effect. The 'good and evil man' (to steal an epithet) adopted an apparently passive response to authority which belied his complete disregard for it, in the manner of say Fletcher in Porridge. And Brecht himself adopted exactly Hasek's blueprint in his own testimony at the McCarthy hearings 'I could not honestly tell you name of any communist'. So successful was this policy the McCarthy thanked Brecht for his co-operation. Back to the book - this is not the least blemished copy one could imagine but it is only the second one in jacket I have handled.