This is the story of Mr. Mundstock and his attempt to come to grips with the inevitable summons for the concentration camps during the Nazi occupation of Prague. While many Jewish families and individuals around hime cope in manners such as nervous breakdowns, denial, and even suicide, Mr. Mundstock attempts to mentally and physically prepare himself by turning his lonely apartment into a mini concentration camp barracks. The preparation takes the reader through Mundstock's mind's misperceptions, denial, and fear while the novel's other characters see Mr. Mundstock as a fearless man in his later years who is more prepared than anyone else for the nightmare they are all going to face. This is a worthwhile read, especially if you're interested in WWII or Slavic culture, and at just over 200 pages, it's a quick read. The novel has a pscychological bent, much like fellow Czech author Franz Kafka. This was written during the last few years of the author's 70+ year life