This is an ethnographic work, though it is so nicely written that it reads like a collection of short stories. It depicts various early 19th century persons living in a picturesque are of Prague known as Mala Strana.

‍

The characters we meet are interesting, and through them we get a sense of Czech society before it became enveloped by communism. We learn something about the class structures that lead people to desire a classless society. A fascinating trip into a time and place of the past.

‍

Enjoyable and profitable reading. A great way to learn about the people of the past and to visit foreign places.