SOLVED. Man lost in unknown city (possibly southeastern Europe). [s]

[Aru]

Man accidentally gets off airplane in wrong city; possibly in the Balkans (southeastern Europe). He cannot understand the language spoken there, and no one understands English (though a few people have a little broken German, if I remember correctly). His money is no good in that country, so he can't get a hotel room; he can't find out where the airport is since he has already taken a taxi or shuttle into the city. Name of city? He can't find out; ditto country, language, etc. I got the feeling the city was Ljubljana in Slovenia from its description. I can't remember how it ends. It was a great book -- makes you realize how precarious your life really is in this world.

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

When did you read it or around when was it published? Remember the cover? Author female or male? Would it be considered a dystopia, realism, or a philosophical novel?

Did you read it in English; was it a translation from some other language?

[Kris]

Aru, what's the time period?

Where is the man from, and where was he heading? What's his job?

What's the tone or genre - somber, funny, mystery, thriller, etc.?

[Aru]

Lobstergirl wrote: "When did you read it or around when was it published? Remember the cover? Author female or male? Would it be considered a dystopia, realism, or a philosophical novel?

Did you read it in English; ..."

I read it 3 or 4 years ago, though I don't know when it was published. The book was in English, by a native speaker of English, I think. I had the impression it was published fairly recently. I can't remember the cover, though I'm pretty sure it was written by a man. It was realistic; no magic or fantasy involved. It took place in the "present". It was only dystopic to the guy who was stuck in that very bad situation.

[Aru]

Kris wrote: "Aru, what's the time period?

Where is the man from, and where was he heading? What's his job?

What's the tone or genre - somber, funny, mystery, thriller, etc.?"

Little information was given (that I can remember); he was headed somewhere in Central Europe, I think. Why, I don't remember. It was very somber; the guy was screwed and had no idea how to get out of his situation.

[Kris]

Do you recall if reviewers referred to the book as Kafkaesque, assuming the man felt helpless and lost in a surreal nightmarish maze? The southeastern European setting would be a good fit.

[Kris]

Metropole (1970) by Ferenc Karinthy?

[Aru]

Kris: Metropole sure sounds like the book! Thank you for your help!

[Kris]

You're welcome! The Kafka analogy was the trick. I got lucky with a Google search, something like:

site:www.goodreads.com kafka man airplane wrong city

[Aru]

Kris: I never thought of the Kafka angle. Thanks!