Literary Battles.

I'm re-reading Hasek's 'The Good Soldier Svejk' , I first encountered it when doing a Literature exam at school , the  rather strange method used by 'Longlands Boy Secondary School' was that you read a set book ( think it was a Thomas Hardy ?) and then had to choose another book to read from the pile of books on the teachers desk , the only problem was - there was only one copy of each and as pupils were called out to make their selection alphabetically - there was not much choice when it was my turn ( this alphabetical method of selection used on many occasions by the school - on reflection probably blighted my academic life !) . I can't remember the other choices that were left but the bright yellow cover and the Lada drawing attracted my attention , also it was a paperback and our English teacher had an old fashioned distaste of paperbacks (this was a long time ago) , so I felt I was being revolutionary as well ! (already Hasek was casting his spell ?). As a choice of book for a exam it's very questionable ? but it was a long time ago and they did things different then ! .I can't for the life in me remember the results of the exam - I doubt it had any lasting effect on my future - but I read the book and I have been a life long fan of 'The Good Soldier' and this battles with authority and have tried to employ his principles from then on .It also gave me a lasting interest in the Austro-Hungarian army of the early 20th century. It's a long rambling book and of course was never finished - Hasek drank himself to death (and was drunk half the time he wrote the book !) . I've just found an old copy of it when clearing out some books for a charity shop and have decided to tackle it again , it will be interesting to see how I get on ! .