Recommended Readings: Helen Oyeyemi, Balla, and Fernanda Eberstadt

In the literary world, HarperCollins has published a captivating book titled "Bite Your Friends" by Fernanda Eberstadt. This intriguing novel, adapted from Prague's rich history and folklore, offers a unique perspective on characters haunted by personal tragedies.

Vargová, a character in the book, has endured years of domestic abuse, while Felešlegi, a psychiatrist in a small Slovakian city, grapples with the suicide of his brother. Eberstadt masterfully explores these characters' lives in a playful and absurdist manner, steering clear of gloominess.

The narrative unfolds in a sprawling pastiche, focusing on the power of wounded or rejected bodies. Felešlegi, in his professional life, daydreams during patient sessions and skips lunch with his psychiatrist mother on Sundays. His life takes an unexpected turn when he receives letters from his former patient, Mrs Vargová, filled with Communist nostalgia, racist diatribes, and agoraphobic anxieties.

Helen Oyeyemi, renowned for her exploration of character relationships, lends her depth to the dynamics between Felešlegi and Mrs Vargová. The book also delves into various outcast figures, including the 2nd century martyr St Perpetua, the ancient Greek philosopher Diogenes the Cynic, and Italian filmmaker Pier Paolo Pasolini.

"Bite Your Friends" also features the Russian punk art group Pussy Riot and contemplates themes of rejection and revenge, shared history, and alternative lives. The novel transforms these themes into a wild postmodern puppet show, much like the book "Among the Ruins" by an unspecified cult Slovakian author, which features Juraj Felešlegi and Mrs Vargová as the titular "ruins."

Contrary to popular belief, "Bite Your Friends" is not about three old friends coming together on a bachelorette weekend. Instead, it is a memoir of Eberstadt's wild and wealthy childhood in 1970s New York, as well as a poignant exploration of the power of personal tragedy and the human spirit's resilience.

"Bite Your Friends" is now available from Europa Editions, offering readers a unique and thought-provoking journey into the lives of its intriguing characters. For those seeking a fresh perspective on life, loss, and the human condition, this book is not to be missed.

In a related development, Helen Oyeyemi's latest novel, "Parasol Against the Axe," also features Prague as a character and narrator, further cementing the city's prominence in contemporary literature.