Ticket to Prague

Another challenging read in all senses. Loosely based on the life of Czech poet Ivan Blatny, this absorbing tale is packed with in-your-face language, issue awareness-raising, a strongly political stance and a splintered narrative style that demands the reader's close attention. Headstrong, yet deeply vulnerable, Amy Douglas has enough strife without getting saddled with an elderly Czech poet on her Community Service placement. Yet, in the final analysis, they are each what the other needs and their close friendship leads them to Prague, where the politics and passions of the past are still wounds that require sensitive healing and will ultimately lead both into grave danger.