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1950s: The fortunes of the enigmatic and unconventional hero, Kaspar Utz
Utz
What you need to know before your trail
Bruce Chatwin’s bestselling novel traces the fortunes of the enigmatic and unconventional hero, Kaspar Utz. Despite the restrictions of Cold War Czechoslovakia, Utz asserts his individuality through his devotion to his precious collection of Meissen porcelain. Although Utz is permitted to leave the country each year, and considers defecting each time, he is not allowed to take his porcelain with him and so he always returns to his Czech home, a prisoner both of the Communist state and of his collection.
Travel Guide
Discover Prague and Czech Republic via Utz and his porcelain
Utz
Utz is Kaspar Utz, a man with an unforgettable passion for porcelain figurines. He has spent his whole life collecting porcelain treasures despite the wars. The regime allow him to continue providing that he gives his entire collection to the state when he dies.
Utz is a Jewish man who lives next to the famous Jewish Cemetery and is buried there, across from where his apartment was. The funeral takes place in 1974 at the height of the regime.
Meissen porcelain scatter the novel – there are plenty museums to visit across the city to see ones like them! (Maybe they are part of Utz’s collection)
The book is packed full of satire on the absurdity of totalitarian regime across the 20th century.
Booktrail Boarding Pass: Utz
Destination: Czech Republic, Prague Author/Guide: Bruce Chatwin Departure Time: 1950s
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