“My name is Teodor Kray. My mother used to call me ‘Teya.’ My friends did too… back when I had friends. I suppose my name doesn’t ring a bell for you. I’m a man of letters—or at least, I like to think so. I’m forty years old. I’ve published two books—a collection of poetry and a book of short stories. And yet, I feel as if I’ve written twenty novels. A remarkable achievement in unproductivity!
But where are the books I haven’t written?”
This is a book (or should I say PLAY?) you can devour in one sitting—it’s only 52 pages long! A literary work about literature. Political? Absolutely. Meaningful? Profoundly. Suspenseful? You bet! It’s one of those books that makes you want to shove it into people’s hands, saying, “YOU HAVE TO READ THIS!”
Set in a single location, the story revolves around the dramatic exchanges between Teodor “Teya” Kray—a once-dissident professor and writer turned publishing house director—and Luka Laban, the secret police officer who has been tailing him for ten years. While the book may seem serious at first glance, it’s anything but dull. The subject matter is weighty, yet the storytelling is infused with sharp, intelligent humour.
One moment had me in stitches—Teodor and Luka, caught up in the tension of their argument, start undressing (because, of course, what else would you do in a high-stress situation?), and just as things couldn’t get any weirder, the door swings open. Enter Marta, the secretary, who freezes, eyes wide, processing a scene that looks very different from what’s happening. The sheer absurdity of the moment nearly sent me rolling on the floor—equal parts scandalous misunderstanding and slapstick comedy gold!
This book may be short, but it unfolds an entire universe within its pages. I laughed, I was intrigued, I was hooked from start to finish.
And finally, let’s talk about reading. It’s not just about following words on a page—it’s a journey between the lines. Like a train ride, sometimes you speed up, sometimes you pause, sometimes you just sit back and take in the scenery. As the pages turn, your thoughts travel along the tracks. That’s why, instead of saying “HAPPY READING.” I prefer to say, “ENJOY THE JOURNEY” Because every book is a unique adventure waiting to be explored.
Enjoy the journey!
