English letters

A humorous travelogue by an astute observer. A collection of feuilletons written by Karel Čapek for Lidové noviny when he spent two months in England in 1924. Čapek's talent as an observer and writer makes The English Letters a true travelogue gem. Čapek's unique talent as an observer and writer makes English Letters a real gem that puts a smile on your face. With the most famous Czech writer, we take a walk through London, his parks, museums, galleries, shops and gentlemen's clubs, we would appreciate his insights from Wales, Ireland and Scotland. One cannot help but compare all that has changed since Čapek visited the United Kingdom. Many things certainly are, but Čapek's humanism, which pays equal respect to a British lord, a traffic warden or a scruffy street speaker in Hyde Park, remains valid. Čapek also managed to capture the lifestyle of the English in a detailed and witty way: "English cuisine is of two kinds: the good and the middle. Good English cuisine is simply French cuisine; the middle kitchen in the middle hotel for the middle Englishman explains to a large extent the English brooding and reticence. No one can glow and gush chewing pressed beef smeared with devil mustard. One begins to understand his seclusion, seriousness and strict manners."