A fresh English translation of The Grandmother by Božena Němcová offers readers around the world a deeper understanding of Czech culture and identity. Published in 2025 by UK-based Jantar Publishing, the new edition is the result of nearly a decade of work by British translator, author, and curator Susan Reynolds. What makes this translation special is its ability to capture the folk idioms, rural rhythms, and emotional nuances that earlier English versions failed to convey.

First published over 170 years ago, Babička has long been cherished in Czechia as a national treasure. Though often perceived as a simple children’s story, the novel is far richer, presenting an idealized rural world shaped by tradition, community, and everyday rituals. Through scenes of changing seasons, household routines, and village life, Němcová created a story that reflects the soul of a nation.

The plot follows a grandmother who moves to the Old Bleachery in Grandma’s Valley to care for her grandchildren while their parents travel in service of local aristocrats. Through the children’s eyes, readers encounter a woman who brings more than gifts and animals—she brings a philosophy of living grounded in humility, respect, and moral wisdom. Her teachings, from never wasting breadcrumbs to valuing even a single goose feather, express a worldview where every small action carries meaning.

Susan Reynolds’ translation is considered the definitive modern version of the novel. With the oldest English translation dating back to the 1890s and another from the 1970s, this new edition finally reflects the depth and cultural weight of the original Czech text. Reynolds’ deep connection to Czech culture, developed through decades of literary work and her role at the British Library, allows her to bridge not just language but cultural feeling.

During the Czech National Revival of the 19th century, Babička played a vital role in preserving the Czech language at a time when German dominated public life. Much like Little Women in the English-speaking world, the novel became a symbol of national identity. However, instead of looking forward to modern change, Němcová’s work preserved a disappearing rural world, offering resistance against cultural erasure.

Today, The Grandmother: Scenes from Village Life gives English-speaking readers the chance to understand why simple elements like bread, geese, and grandmothers hold such deep symbolic value in Czech culture. Supported by a grant from the Czech Ministry of Culture and distributed in Czechia by Euromedia, the book stands as both a literary achievement and a cultural bridge between nations.