Rivers of Babylon (novel)

Rivers of Babylon is a satirical post-socialist novel written by Slovak author Peter Pišťanek. Published in 1991, it is considered a key work of contemporary Slovak literature and a defining novel of the post-communist era in Slovakia.

The novel follows the rise and fall of Rácz, a simple-minded, opportunistic villager who arrives in Bratislava (the capital of Slovakia) shortly after the Velvet Revolution. Rácz's improbable ascent to wealth and power is fueled by corruption, violence, and exploitation, as he quickly adapts to the new capitalist environment. He becomes involved in the city's criminal underworld and ultimately becomes a powerful figure in the burgeoning Slovak business scene.

Rivers of Babylon is known for its dark humor, social commentary, and its unflinching portrayal of the moral vacuum that characterized the transition from communism to capitalism in Slovakia. It offers a cynical and often grotesque depiction of the get-rich-quick mentality and the rampant corruption that accompanied the country's newfound freedom. The novel explores themes of power, greed, social inequality, and the loss of innocence in a rapidly changing society.

The book was adapted into a successful Slovak film in 1998, directed by Vlado Balco. The film retained the dark humor and satirical tone of the novel, further solidifying its place in Slovak popular culture. Rivers of Babylon has been translated into several languages and remains a widely read and discussed novel in Slovakia.