by Nicol Hochholczerová
translated by Julia and Peter Sherwood
Parthian Books, Cardigan, Wales
May 2025
148 pages
ISBN 978-1-917140-41-6 (hardcover)
ISBN 978-1-913830-49-9 (paperback)
ISBN 978-1-917140-42-3 (ebook)
In this minimalist, poetic novella with autobiographical elements, Nicol Hochholczerová weaves a story of obsession and power and how both can lead to damage and separation. Rich with symbolism, its explosive themes–of eating disorder, abusive control and family dysfunction–are delicately handled with honesty and intelligence.
Read Online
More About This Title in the Press
“Age-inappropriate. Alternating perspectives on a secret relationship” by Kathryn Murphy in The Times Literary Supplement, November 28, 2025
“Ruritanian Realism: A Review of This Room Is Impossible to Eat by Nicol Hochholczerová” by Michael Tate in Asymptote, August 2025
“Joshua Mensch reviews This Room Is Impossible to Eat by Nicol Hochholczerová, translated by Julia and Peter Sherwood” in Riveting Reviews (European Literature Network), June 2025
“The Watchlist: May 2025” by Tobias Carroll in Words Without Borders, May 2025
Review by Billy Lindon on the LoveReading blog, May 2025
“A newly translated Slovakian novel by Nicol Hochholczerová proves harrowing but vital” by Gosia Buzzanca in Buzz Magazine, May 2025