Though Into the Spotlight is drawn from the work of writers from one of Europe's smallest countries, this source reveals itself to be something like a magic lamp out of which comes a multitude of subjects, themes, and styles well out of proportion to its size. Like the best writers, this anthology brilliantly balances the specific and the universal. There are stories that could have taken place anywhere-of love and hate, beauty and ugliness, illness and music-stories distinctly and intriguingly Slovak-of a devout Slovak's imprisonment in the Russian Gulag, the rough and tumble world of the country's Roma-stories from other countries and continents, and stories that seem to come from other worlds entirely-of real or imaginary doubles and surreal nocturnal circuses. -Michael Stein, Literalab, editor at BOD V
Magdalena Mullek Books
The Escape by Marek Vadas tells the story of a small boy and his dog Alan as they undertake a fantastic journey through towns, countries, and continents, encountering friendship as well as rejection along the way. The inhabitants of the various places personify character traits such as prejudice, xenophobia, and indifference to the fate of others. This adventure story also offers a glimpse into the world of people for whom journeys across vast distances are a necessity of life, a particularly timely topic when the migration of refugees is at the forefront of public discourse. The combination of Marek Vadas' imaginative text and Daniela Olejníková's stunning illustrations is a window into seemingly distant and exotic countries and their inhabitants, who, as it turns out, are much closer to us than we think.