V originále
The paper discusses the representation of Jewish identity and history in the Communist Eastern European space in Chaim Cigan’s trilogy In the Middle of Nowhere (2014-2016). The novels offer a unique fusion of Cabala, fantasy, and science fiction, featuring parallel and alternative histories, time travel, aliens, and Greek mythology. Despite the popular and grotesque, genre-bending form, Chaim Cigan (a pen name of Karol Sidon, the Czech Chief Rabbi) presents a complex image of Jewish tradition and poses serious questions concerning the individual and collective identity and responsibility, as well as visions and (alternative) versions of Eastern European history, ranging from the Exodus to a 21st century military attack on the still existing Austro-Hungarian Empire.