A History of Light

Have you ever wondered what a story written by a beam of light would be like? The story would be ordinary, but the course of events extraordinary. Its hero would be a photographer, a guardian of light. And, naturally, the tale would be full of shadow. ‘A History of Light’ delves into the fascinating life of Frantisek Drtikol (1883-1961), an important figure in early-twentieth-century photography who is all but forgotten in contemporary times. A dandy from a small mining town, a world-famous photographer whose business went bankrupt, a master of the nude who never had much luck with women, a mystic and a Buddhist who believed in communism – a man whose numerous contradictions were evident externally and synthesized internally. A unique blend of fiction and biography, this novel vividly portrays Drtikol’s life, tracing the diverse stages of his career.