Ordinary Lives Become Exceptional

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The Monday Book BELIEVE IN PEOPLE: THE ESSENTIAL KAREL CAPEK Translated by Earka Tobrmanova-Kuhnova FABR & FABER, Pounds 12.99 Order for Pounds 11.69 from the Independent Bookshop: 08430 600 030

Akey aspect of the mid-20th century, one might say, was the quarrel between popular and serious culture. For George Orwell no artefact was too lowly for considered analysis. In a legendary essay of 1939, "Boys' Weeklies", he scrutinised Wizard and Hotspur for evidence of racism. Before Orwell, the Czech writer Karel Capek had applied literary judgement to ephemera in much the same way.

"I am interested in everything that exists," Capek declared, by which he meant subjects …