THIS is adelightful and very funny novel. It`s actually an early Skvorecky, based on hisexperiences as a soldier in the Czech army during the post-war period. The bookappeared at first in samizdat form, and barely survived the Stalinist regime`sattempts to eradicate it (in the dedication, Skvorecky thanks friends whopreserved it "in times of peril"). The hero is, once again, DannySmiricky, whom readers will remember from The Cowards, The Engineerof HunianSouls, etc. Here, Danny is serving out the final daysof his army service as a tank commander - a dangerous occupation:"Military statisticians had allotted tank crews a life expectancy of fourminutes in battle." Fortunately, there have been no battles, so Danny isable to engage in his typically chauvinistic pursuit of various responsive andunresponsive females. His adventures act as a counterpoint to the satire on themanic follies of Stalinism. At one point, Danny assesses himself and hiscountry in terms that give the book its title: "I`m a real whore....We`reall whores - a republic of whores." The novel is centred around a seriesof events that highlight the vacuousness of life in the Czech army. Itssoldiers lack any commitment to the socialist ideals they`re supposed to bewilling to die for - though there are some exceptions, such as Danny`s nemesis,a major nicknamed "the Pygmy Devil." He will do anything to satisfyhis Soviet masters (I won`t reveal his ultimate fate, except to say it`spleasingly apposite). The opening segment deals with a military exercise whoseaim is to "capture" a hill from "the enemy." Readers willfind it hard not to laugh out loud at Skvorecky`s description of theincompetent officers` attempts to make their soldiers take the manoeuvreseriously. In vain. But even in the midst of the burnout, larger ironiesappear: The officers saw war as a test ofmaturity, a final exam to be passed successfully only by those who hadn`tweaseled out of morning exercises, who had dutifully studied recoil mechanismsin the evening. In this worldview, only the lazy lost their lives; the diligentlearned the arts of dodging incoming shells and bullets, gas, and atomicradiation. One of the most instructive aspects ofthe book for Western readers is the revelation of the link between the militaryand political systems in the Soviet regime. For example, an invertedclasssystem exists in the army - to be from working-class roots is very usefulin this "classless society." But the most amusing illustration of thelinkage is the segment on "the Fucik Badge Tests." Periodically thesoldiers are given these oral tests to show their knowledge of socialistthought. The soldiers are, of course, utterly uninterested in the subject, sothe tests have to be conducted in such a way that they cannot be failed.AlthouQh the desired propaganda effect is achieved, the entire exercise is aparody of its supposed intent. Skvorecky displays a wonderful comic talent inthe section dealing with the oxymoronic "Army Creativity Contest."The major in charge of this event makes it clear that a socialist literarycontest aims "to cultivate, not outstanding individuats, but a reliablecollective. Our slogan was, is, and always will be `The masses aboveall!"` A certain Corporal Brynych becomes the scapegoat. He has submitteda poem in praise of his footlocker, beginning: "You foodockers, beacons ofHope!" This opening is subjected to intense analysis, Soviet-style, by themajor: "From the political and ideologicalpoint of view, it is a suspect line." The major glared at the corporal sodisapprovingly that the young man`s head sank and his hollow cheeks flushedcrimson with shame. "It is not at all a potitically correct line." I could go on about other memorablescenes, such as the autumn inspection, or the bellowing competition. And Ishould at least mention Danny`s rather seedy pursuit of his love- interests:the unfaithful Jana and the exasperating Lizetka. They all play integral partsin illustrating the most serious aspect of the satire: that ideals are difficultto achieve; that they require individual commitment; that to legislate them isboth ludicrous and selfcontradictory. The Republic of Whores remainsas amusing as it is prophetic. Readers who already know Skvorecky`s work willneed no encouragement to acquire it (Paul Wilson`s translation is superb). Fornew readers I cannot think of a better introduction to this marvellous writer.