Michal Viewegh: Báječná léta pod psa

The humorous story about a Czech family captures the atmosphere in Czechoslovak society during the socialist period between the 1960s and 1980s. The abbreviated and adapted text of the novel from 1992 is complemented by exercises focused on the development of communication skills and purposefully selected vocabulary and grammar. Comprehension is further aided by illustrations drawn by the popular artist Nikkarin and activities relating to them. A new element in the exercise part are tasks concerning Czechoslovak and Czech culture and history. Besides the recording of the presented text (available online here), the book is complemented by a DVD with the original version of the successful film adaptation of the novel. Therefore, each chapter also includes tasks for working with the film Báječná léta pod psa. The final part of the publication contains the key to the exercises. The book, which is intended for intermediate and more advanced students (from level B1+ of the Common European Framework of Reference), can be used for independent reading or self-study, or as material for Czech as a foreign/second language courses.