Hordubal

Hordubal is the title of a novel written by Czech author Karel Čapek, published in 1933. The novel explores themes of identity, perception, and the complexities of human relationships, particularly within a rural setting.

The story centers on Juraj Hordubal, a Ruthenian immigrant who returns to his native Carpathian village after years of working as a day laborer in America. He anticipates a happy reunion with his wife, Polana, and daughter, Hafia. However, he finds himself an outsider, struggling to reconnect with his family and the community he left behind. He perceives a growing distance between himself and Polana, who seems to be involved in a relationship with his assistant, Štěpán Manya.

Hordubal's inability to understand the changing dynamics around him, coupled with the suspicion and misunderstandings of the villagers, ultimately lead to tragedy. The novel is notable for its innovative narrative structure, which utilizes multiple perspectives, including Juraj's own limited point of view, the objective observations of a doctor, and the subjective accounts of other characters. This approach allows Čapek to present a multifaceted and nuanced portrayal of events, highlighting the difficulty of truly knowing another person's inner life and the unreliability of subjective interpretation. The book delves into philosophical questions about reality and how individual experiences shape our understanding of truth.