Very short book (91 pages) that I read in one afternoon. Although short, the book is also absorbing telling the story of a young Czech apprentice signalman at a train station near the end of WWII. His job is to watch German trains that may include soldiers, arms and ammunition, etc., to ensure safe passage. If he gets this wrong, the Gestapo may be his next visitor. The young man also witnesses other humorous events including the dispatcher's misuse of official stamps upon the female telegraphist's rear end which makes the dispatcher a type of hero in the eyes of other men in the station. He also witnesses the cruelty towards animals that are shipped on the trains and the German survivors of the bombing of Dresden. At the end, he performs an act of heroism against the German suppressors. Overall, an interesting and worthy read.
This book is No. 595 on the 2008 list of 1001 books you must read before you die.
This book is No. 595 on the 2008 list of 1001 books you must read before you die.
