Slovak writers of fiction who began their work in the 1920s tried to supplant classical realism by using various stimuli from other European literatures. Similarly, Jozef Cíger Hronsky started out with an orientation toward realism but later changed the direction of his writing and created work with strong elements of expressionism. He managed to convey the modern problems of civilized mankind and their world--especially the damage done to their minds by the phenomenon of war--as well as to reveal instinctive powers of man that both renew his vitality and ensure his capacity to survive.

Jozef Cíger Hronsky was born on 23 February 1896 in Zvolen, where his father, Peter Pavol Hronsky, worked at a lumberyard and lived with his wife, Jozefina. After completing his elementary education Hronsky studied at the Hungarian-language teachers' college in Levice, where he finished in 1914 and received his teaching certification. During 1917 and...