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  • Published: 15 August 2018
  • ISBN: 9780241343456
  • Imprint: Penguin Classics
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 352
  • RRP: $24.99

War with the Newts



A darkly humorous Czech satire: a new super-breed tries to conquer the world...

War with the Newts (1936) is Karel Capek's darkly humorous allegory of early 20th-century Czech politics. Captain van Toch discovers a colony of newts in Sumatra which can not only be taught to trade and use tools, but also to speak. As the rest of the world learns of the creatures and their wonderful capabilities, it is clear that this new species is ripe for exploitation - they can be traded in their thousands, will do the work no human wants to do, and can fight - but the humans have given no thought to the terrible consequences of their actions.

  • Published: 15 August 2018
  • ISBN: 9780241343456
  • Imprint: Penguin Classics
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 352
  • RRP: $24.99

About the author

Karel Capek

Karel Capek was a Czech writer who is best known for his 1920 play R.U.R. (Rossum's Universal Robots). The play was Capek's first international success, introduced the word 'robot' to the English language and was one of the works that pioneered the theme of robots in fiction. The idea of artificial intelligence and what it means to be human became a popular one in future science fiction tales such as Asimov's I, Robot and Philip K. Dick's Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? Capek also wrote many other works of fiction and non-fiction, including detective stories, fairytales and travel books. His most important works, such as The Tales from Two Pockets and the trilogy Hordubal, Meteor and An Ordinary Life, deal with epistemology (the study of knowledge). A fervent anti-fascist and anti-communist, Capek campaigned for freedom of expression and was a member of the International PEN Club. He died of double pneumonia on Christmas Day 1938, aged 48.

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Praise for War with the Newts

Sheds remarkable light on the literature, culture and politics of the region...anyone coming fresh to the field will be captivated by the richness, variety, humour and pathos of a classic literature that, through a shared historical experience, transcends national and linguistic boundaries.

CJ Schüler, Independent on Sunday

His satire still packs a punch, and the storytelling is brilliant.

The Times

A great writer of the past who speaks to the present in a voice brilliant, clear, honourable, blackly funny and prophetic

Kurt Vonnegut