Marek Torčík's Czech Bestseller 'Was die Zeit nicht nimmt' Now in German

The Czech Republic is the guest of honor at the Frankfurt Book Fair in 2026, coinciding with the German release of Marek Torčík's debut novel 'Was die Zeit nicht nimmt' (original title: 'Rozložíš paměť'), translated by Mirko Kraetsch and published by Anthea Verlag. The novel, a coming-of-age and coming-out story, has become the most successful Czech novel in decades, currently being translated into 27 languages. The narrative follows Marek, a boy growing up in a panel housing estate in the Moravian town of Přerov, from 2007 to 2021, through fragmented memories of a childhood marked by abuse and violence. His mother Linda works in a lens factory, struggling with headaches, financial worries, and the fear of losing her job. She left Marek's father, who fled to the USA, leaving behind debts. Marek's grandmother also left her alcoholic, chain-smoking husband, who lived in a psychiatric home. The novel explores Marek's experiences as a gay boy facing bullying at school, including the arrival of Mariàn, a Roma boy who becomes the target of class harassment. Marek's relationship with his mother is distant, as she had wished for a daughter. The story is told from the second-person perspective, which creates emotional distance and challenges the reader's empathy. The novel includes a quote from Clarice Lispector: 'Who has not asked themselves: Am I a monster, or is this what it means to be human?' The book is 320 pages, hardcover, ISBN 9783899984569.