Self-Sufficiency

Štěpán is eleven and his whole world depends on adults. But what is he to do when his dad seems to have gone crazy – he's moved out, grown a full beard, and his ankles are showing from under his trousers. Dad's new girlfriend isn't too fond of Štěpán, and he feels unwanted. His mum sighs, saves money on absolutely everything, and it looks like she's not well. That's why Štěpán wants one thing above all else – to grow up as quickly as possible and be self-sufficient.

Zuzana Dostálová has written a novel about adolescence and adulthood, about loneliness and independence. She follows the hero's life over several years and doesn't limit the narrative to his perspective alone.