Book #174 - The Tartar Steppe by Dino Buzzati
Details
Often likened to Kafka's The Castle, The Tartar Steppe is both a scathing critique of military life and a meditation on the human thirst for glory. It tells of young Giovanni Drogo, who is posted to a distant fort overlooking the vast Tartar steppe. Although not intending to stay, Giovanni suddenly finds that years have passed, as, almost without his noticing, he has come to share the others' wait for a foreign invasion that never happens. Over time the fort is downgraded and Giovanni's ambitions fade until the day the enemy begins massing on the desolate steppe...
LOCATION: Maison Internationale des Associations, salle Albert Jacquard
Presenter: VLAD
Starting time: 19:15 sharp
Format:
- Members introduction (5-10 minutes)
- Book presentation (20-30 minutes)
A brief history of the author’s life
A short summary of the book
Main ideas/themes
- Group discussion (45-60 minutes), members' personal views on the book, opposing ideas, etc.
- Announcement/info on next meeting (5 minutes)
Note: reading the book is not a "must" to attend the meeting, but encouraged if you want to actively participate in the discussion.
We look forward to seeing you all!
Upcoming events: https://www.genevainternationalbookclub.com/post/future
Past events: https://www.genevainternationalbookclub.com/post/_past
Presentation slides (current year): https://www.genevainternationalbookclub.com/post/slides-2025