[Download] "In Search of Adventure: Ladislav Mikes Parizek, A Czech in the Congo" by Tydskrif vir Letterkunde * eBook PDF Kindle ePub Free
eBook details
- Title: In Search of Adventure: Ladislav Mikes Parizek, A Czech in the Congo
- Author : Tydskrif vir Letterkunde
- Release Date : January 22, 2009
- Genre: Language Arts & Disciplines,Books,Professional & Technical,Education,
- Pages : * pages
- Size : 81 KB
Description
Introduction Ladislav Mikes Parizek was the most esteemed authority on the Congo, and Africa in general, in Czechoslovakia from the early 1940s till the end of 1970s. However, the aim of this essay is not only to introduce a forgotten adventurer, traveller, writer and journalist, but also to focus on the creation of an African discourse in communist Central Europe. Through an analysis of some of Parizek's books on the Congo and of reviews of his books, I would like to point out how this discourse was (mis)used by the communist regime and at the same time how this discourse was (mis)understood by people living under this regime. Parizek's books on the Congo were not of a high literary standard, but because of the great number printed and the simplicity of style, they had a large impact on people in communist Central Europe and also contributed to the creation of a particular image of the Congo. These books, together with Parizek's articles and lectures, were often the only source of information on the Congo and had considerable influence on the general knowledge about this African country.