THE LAST THING – A collection of short stories by Leopold Lahola

(jointly translated from the Slovak Posledná vec)

Karolinum Press, Prague, April 2025, ISBN 978-80-246-6041-7

Shortlisted for the inaugural Adam Freudenheim Translation Prize, 2026

link to buy here 

A video of the prize announcement on 12 February 2026, with the judges introducing the ten shortlisted books and readings by the translators (reading from and discussion of Leopold Lahola’s The Last Thing is at 13:00 – 22.33 minutes).

“The very clear theatrical quality of his stories, tinged as they are with a dark touch of the absurd, allows for an exploration of the realities of life during wartime intended to raise more questions than it answers. As such, The Last Thing is a long overdue opportunity for English language writers to come to appreciate the work of this remarkable Slovak writer.” – Joseph Schreiber, roughghosts, October 2025

“Leopold Lahola was and remains a miracle of Slovak literature. At the same time, his is the story of a writer who surpassed hs countrymen so much that they temporarily forgot him.” Fedor Gál.

“Though the writer and the settings are Slovak, the messages and moral quandaries contained in this book transcend international borders. It is a riveting read, superbly translated into English by Julia and Peter Sherwood” – Madeline Vadkerty, Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe, January 2026)

“The Last Thing is one of the most unique treatments of World War Two and its aftermath in world literature. Each story portrays a deceptively banal wartime situation that spirals into extreme scenarios, pushing characters to the limits of their already attenuated humanity. Lahola misses no opportunity to lay bare the absurdity and paradox in each of these bleak situations with an unforgettable blend of dark humour and profound empathy.” Harper Dafforn, European Literature Network, September 2025