Karel Capek Books, Quotes, Biography, Novels
Karel Čapek (1890–1938) was one of the most influential Czech writers of the 20th century, celebrated for his contributions to literature, particularly in science fiction and social commentary. Born on January 9, 1890, in Malé Svatoňovice, Bohemia (then part of Austria-Hungary, now the Czech Republic), he was the youngest of three siblings. His father, Antonín Čapek, was a doctor, and his mother, Božena Čapková, collected local folklore. Čapek studied philosophy at Charles University in Prague, as well as in Berlin and Paris, earning a doctorate in 1915. Despite lifelong health issues due to a spinal condition, he pursued a prolific career in writing.
Čapek is best known for his play R.U.R. (Rossum’s Universal Robots), published in 1920 and premiered in 1921, which introduced the word “robot” to the world—a term coined by his brother Josef, derived from the Czech word “robota,” meaning forced labor or drudgery. The play explores the creation of artificial beings who eventually rebel against their human creators, offering a prescient critique of technology and dehumanization. Another notable work, War with the Newts (1936), is a satirical novel about the exploitation of intelligent amphibians, reflecting Čapek’s concerns about imperialism, fascism, and human greed.
A staunch advocate for democracy and humanism, Čapek opposed the rising tides of fascism and communism in Europe during the 1930s. His close friendship with Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk, the first president of Czechoslovakia, inspired works like Talks with T.G. Masaryk, a biographical exploration of Masaryk’s philosophy. Čapek’s writing often blended humor, philosophical depth, and a focus on ordinary life, as seen in works like Tales from Two Pockets (1929) and his trilogy Hordubal, Meteor, and An Ordinary Life (1933–1934).
In 1935, he married actress Olga Scheinpflugová after a long acquaintance. As Nazi aggression loomed, Čapek refused to leave Czechoslovakia despite being labeled “public enemy number two” by the Gestapo. He died of pneumonia on December 25, 1938, in Prague, shortly before the German occupation. Ironically, the Gestapo arrived to arrest him months later, unaware of his death.
Čapek was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature seven times but never received it. His legacy endures through his innovative storytelling and the enduring relevance of his themes.
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War with the Newts - Paperback By Capek, Karel - GOOD
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Karel Capek, Fairy Tales with one extra as a makeweight by Joseph capek 1950
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Karel Capek Tuuntje 1935
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R. U. R. (ROSSUM'S UNIVERSAL ROBOTS) A FANTASTIC MELODRAMA By Karel Capek & Paul
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R. U. R. (Rossum's Universal Robots) by Karel Capek (Paperback) - FREE SHIPPING
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Karel Capek NEW Tea Lovers Can Tea bag 20 pieces set Japan NEW
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Talks with T. G. Masaryk by Capek, Karel
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Karel Capek, translation Lawrence Hyde / Atomic Phantasy Krakatit 1st ed 1951
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THE ABSOLUTE AT LARGE By Karel Capek - 1927 first printing - Hardcover
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Krakatit by Karel Capek (First Edition)
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Karel Capek: MONEY AND OTHER STORIES First American Edition Brentano's 1930
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I Had a Dog and a Cat by Karel Capek, 1941 2nd Printing
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Tales from Two Pockets by Capek, Karel
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Karel Capek Kniha Apokryfu Czechoslovakian Book 1983 HC Book: Ivan Lendl Estate
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War With The Newts - Karel Capek - 1959 2nd Bantam Books Paperback
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KAREL CAPEK - Money and Other Stories Book Plate of Vincent and Alice Massey
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Intimate Things by Karel Capek (First American Edition)
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Toward the Radical Center: A Karel Capek Reader
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Dasenka Dashenka Life of a Puppy Karel Capek 1998 Czech Fox Terrier Dog
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R. U. R. Rossum's Universal Robots Paperback Karel Capek
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Hobonichi Techo Cover Dashenka Karel Capek 2022 A6 Original w/Cover on Cover
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War with the Newts - Karel Capek, 1964 sc, Bantam (QC250)
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R.U.R (Rossum's Universal Robots) A Fantastic Melodrama by Karel Capek
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Karel Capek, Josef Capek / The Gardener's Year 1st Edition 1931
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F X Salda, ed Karel Capek / Almanach Kmene 1930/31
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Cross Roads, , Capek, Karel, Good, 7/1/2002 12:00:01 AM,
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Tales from Two Pockets Karel Capek 1962 Folio Society w/ Slipcase & bookmark
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Three Novels: Hordubal, Meteor, An Ordinary Life (Karel Capek) 1990 Czech Litera
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Karel Capek: Krakatit 1st HB
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Vintage Book "DAS Jahr des Gartners" by Czech Karel Capek. "The Gardeners Year."
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Karel Capek Tea Mug Rabbit Tea Time NEW Japan
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Karel Capek Karel Tea Assortment Tea bag 30 pieces set NEW Japan
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Karel Capek, trans Norma Comrada / Cross Roads 1st Edition 2002
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Karel Capek 3 Little Bears Rare Mini Envelope Set
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Karel Capek An Essay HC Book Alexander Matuska w/ DJ 1964
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Karel Capek Bobby The Bear Mini Letter Set
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Karel Capek Drobty pod stolem doby Rozhlasky, Crumbs under the Table of the Age
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War with the Newts by Karel Capek PB First Thus Very Good 1955
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(NA BREHU DNU) Play By Karel Capek 1934 HC
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Toward the Radical Center : A Karel Capek Reader by Karel Capek (1990)
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Karel Capek Man Against Destruction by Alexander Matuska First 1st Edition VG HC
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R.U.R. and The Insect Play by Josef and Karel Capek PB First Thus Very Good 196
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R.U. R. - Josef/karel capek
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LETTERS From HOLLAND, 1935, Karel CAPEK, Illustrated
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War with the Newts Paperback Karel Capek
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Karel Capek / The Absolute at Large / First American Edition 1927
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Tales From Two Pockets by Karel Capek (1943, Hardcover) Vintage
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Karel Capek's "R.U.R." Rossum's Universal Robots 1926 Rare Czechoslovakian Book
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KAREL CAPEK Czech Science Fiction Writer Playwright & more DEATH 1938 Newspaper
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Lot 4 books by Karel Capek: Masaryk, Letters Holland England, Gardener's Year
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