Picture a Czech storyteller who launched into the cosmos with a tale of love, loss, and alien spiders—meet Jaroslav Kalfař! Born in Prague in 1988, just before the Velvet Revolution, Kalfař blends science fiction with heartfelt human drama, captivating readers worldwide. His debut, Spaceman of Bohemia, even soared to Netflix, proving this immigrant author’s meteoric rise from high school dropout to literary star.
The Making of Jaroslav Kalfař
Jaroslav Kalfař’s journey began in Prague, where he was born amid the revolutionary winds of 1988. At 15, he immigrated to the United States, speaking little English but diving into novels and cartoons to learn the language. A high school dropout, Kalfař worked odd jobs—waiting tables, manning cash registers—before finding his way to higher education. He earned an MFA from New York University, where he honed his craft as a Goldwater Fellow, setting the stage for his literary breakthrough.
Inspired by Czech literary giants like Franz Kafka and global sci-fi masters like Philip K. Dick, Kalfař’s writing reflects his dual identity—rooted in Czech history yet reaching for universal truths. His early love for storytelling, sparked by penning short stories as a child, evolved into a passion for exploring the absurdities and profundities of human existence.
Jaroslav Kalfař’s Unforgettable Stories
Kalfař’s debut novel, Spaceman of Bohemia (2017), follows Jakub Procházka, the first Czech astronaut, on a solo mission to a mysterious cosmic cloud. Blending sci-fi with existential musings, the story explores Jakub’s past—haunted by his father’s communist ties—and his unlikely bond with a Nutella-loving alien spider named Hanuš. A finalist for the Arthur C. Clarke Award and the Center for Fiction First Novel Prize, it’s been translated into 15 languages and adapted into a 2024 Netflix film starring Adam Sandler and Carey Mulligan.
In 2023, Kalfař released A Brief History of Living Forever, a dystopian tale set in a near-future America obsessed with immortality. Narrated by the deceased Adéla, the novel follows her children’s quest to retrieve her body amidst political chaos. Critics praise its ambitious blend of techno-mystery and family bonds, though some note its narrative complexity. Kalfař’s style—lyrical, philosophical, and tinged with Czech wit—shines through, tackling themes of identity, memory, and the human condition.
Kalfař also authored Prague Sketchbook, a lesser-known work that captures his love for his hometown through vivid prose. His stories often weave personal and political histories, reflecting his experience of navigating two cultures while embracing the chaos of life, as he writes, “to swim without fear” in its absurdities.
Why Jaroslav Kalfař Matters
Jaroslav Kalfař’s work resonates for its fearless exploration of what it means to be human in a fractured world. His Czech-American perspective bridges Eastern European history with global sci-fi, offering fresh narratives in a genre often dominated by Western voices. By tackling themes like immigration, legacy, and the search for meaning, Kalfař invites readers to confront their own place in the universe. His critical acclaim and growing readership signal a lasting impact on contemporary literature.
From Prague’s cobblestones to Brooklyn’s buzz, Kalfař’s journey mirrors the cosmic voyages of his characters—bold, introspective, and endlessly curious. His ability to turn personal upheaval into universal stories makes him a vital voice in modern fiction.
- Born: May 20, 1988, Prague, Czech Republic
- Key Works: Spaceman of Bohemia, A Brief History of Living Forever, Prague Sketchbook
- Awards: 2018 National Endowment for the Arts Literature Fellowship, Arthur C. Clarke Award nominee
Snag Spaceman of Bohemia and dive into Jaroslav Kalfař’s cosmic blend of sci-fi and soulful storytelling!