The Tattered Path

Set in the final weeks of the Second World War, The Tattered Path tells the story of a Czech girl called Katka who goes in search of her father. Her journey takes her through a war-torn landscape and sees her becoming involved with members of the German resistance movement.

This is a novel inspired by real events and the story was devised by students in Year 8 at Prague British School. It is a unique narrative that does not seek to glorify but to pay tribute to the grave acts of those who were willing to sacrifice their lives in the name of freedom.

The title of the novel is taken from the poem 'The Tattered Cord' by bertold Brecht, who was a German poet and outspoken critic of the Nazis. His poem tells us that no matter how damaged link between two people becomes, there is always a possibility for repair.

The Tattered Cord

The tattered cord
can again become knotted.
It holds
but it is torn.

Perhaps we'll face
each other again
but there,
where you left me,
you'll not meet me
again.

Der Abgerissen Strick
Der abgerissene Strick
kann wieder geknotet werden
er hält wieder, aber
er ist zerrissen.

Vielleicht begegnen
wir uns wieder,
aber da,
wo du mich verlassen hast
triffst du mich
nicht wieder.

Katka, in her journey to find her father, has to face some uncomfortable truths about herself, her country and her family. She is also faced with the utter destruction of war and is forced at times to be compassionate when she has no desire to be so, or ruthless when she only feels afraid.