Jáchym Topol was born in Prague in 1962. His first novel, Sestra (1994, Atlantis), was the only post-1989 work named one of the best 100 Czech books of the 20th century. The English-language translation, City Sister Silver (2000, Catbird Press), was included in 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die (2006, Universe). Read More Topol's fourth novel, Kloktat dehet (2005, Torst), is forthcoming from Portobello Books in a translation by David Short titled Gargling With Tar. His most recent book, titled Chladnou zemí (2009, Torst), is a semifictional work dealing with death camps and atrocities from World War II.