It's really hard for me to describe the book. Horrible, important, unforgettable.
Repeating after GR description: One of the most important testimoniesIt's really hard for me to describe the book. Horrible, important, unforgettable.
Repeating after GR description: One of the most important testimonies of a gulag and at the same time one of the most important works in the history of Polish – and world – literature of the 20th century.
A shocking vivisection of the mechanisms of Soviet totalitarianism and a picture of human nature exposed to the hardest of tests. In a word: a book that – as Albert Camus stated – “should be published and read in all countries of the world.”
I understand why the book isn't more known in the Western world. People know much about Nazi concentration camps, but almost none about the gulags. It is sad because (according to estimates, unfortunately, there is no exact data) almost 20 million people were in gulags and almost 3 million died there. And what the system did with those people (physically and psychologically) was beyond imagination.
If you are able to read such stories - do what you can to get to read this memoir....more
There are so many bad (awful, untruthful) books about IIWW, the Holocaust, etc., we can not forget about those priceless.
Hanna Krall's reportage, her There are so many bad (awful, untruthful) books about IIWW, the Holocaust, etc., we can not forget about those priceless.
Hanna Krall's reportage, her interview with Marek Edelman - one of the few survivors of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising was like a blow to the heart. I felt the same reading it for the first time, in High School.
On those hundred pages, you don't get a chronological list of events, names, dates, etc. You get the point of view, struggles with what happened, no definitive answers, many questions, and most of all the feeling that there is no way to fully understand people who had to cope with that horrible reality.
Perhaps some readers will find it difficult to read because it was a bit chaotic. But let me remind you, that not only Edelman was recounting events from about 30 years, that in a way he wanted to forget probably, but also simply because he recalled life, surviving that was chaotic.
If you think about yourself as a reader who is interested in IIWW, the history of Jews, etc. - you have to know this book....more
A great reportage/literary journalism about crime and punishment and about the power of media manipulation and social hysteria. Wojciech Tochman used A great reportage/literary journalism about crime and punishment and about the power of media manipulation and social hysteria. Wojciech Tochman used mostly Lidia Ostałowska's work about the topic. Her materials, interviews, and observations. I will have to check her books someday.
Yet, personally, the parts about Ostałowska disrupted the flow and muddled my interest.
Still, it is always a pleasure to pick Tochman's book, although the topics of his stories aren't pleasurable.
Well-research and deeply considered analysis (by an author who feels like a part of the institution).
The Polish Catholic Church has looked very bad foWell-research and deeply considered analysis (by an author who feels like a part of the institution).
The Polish Catholic Church has looked very bad for many years, to tell it mildly. Ignacy Dutkiewicz proved why it is so. There isn't an easy answer, that allows to easily make changes. The corruption and distortion of ideals are so deep they will require many years of hard work and fundamental changes. Personally, I am not even sure if it is worth it.
In this collection of three theater plays, Mateusz Pakuła used nonsense and insolence in the best style to show us, or rather to ask us the importanceIn this collection of three theater plays, Mateusz Pakuła used nonsense and insolence in the best style to show us, or rather to ask us the importance of science.
There are too many people in the world who want to be right and too few who just want to know.
I adore his wit, and the way his mind works, although I can't tell I understand it fully. But definitely, in many ways, it is similar to mine, so I am always resonating with his "fantasy world".
I can't get out. From a black hole. My insignificance.
Hugo-Bader returned after years to the people whom he met (circa) twenty years earlier. So, we got epilogues to thA superb compilations of reportages.
Hugo-Bader returned after years to the people whom he met (circa) twenty years earlier. So, we got epilogues to their stories, often long, complicated, and always fascinating. The title audit was a revision of the lives of those humans.
On the other hand, the title audit was also a check-out of how Polish transformation (from Soviet influences into a free and democratic country) went out.
Sharp wit, uncompromised style.
I learned about people who lived (some still live) next to me, but I never met them. I only knew they existed. Thanks to Jacek Hugo-Bader I understand now better not only them but also the Polish society.
My second book by the author, and for sure not the last....more
An interesting dive into the world of Polish "Covid deniers" in the first two years of the pandemic. It was also horrific. Yet, today, I could read itAn interesting dive into the world of Polish "Covid deniers" in the first two years of the pandemic. It was also horrific. Yet, today, I could read it with less anger than I would have two years ago.
Of course, not all was new to me. Nonetheless, I have been avoiding the deniers, as a rule. So, some connections, and aspects were new to me.
I liked the author's irony (even his bitterness), although I am surprised that some people wanted to speak to him after what he told them.
The message and the psychological (and sociological) level of the story were absorbing. A great start for discussions, about misplaced affections: in The message and the psychological (and sociological) level of the story were absorbing. A great start for discussions, about misplaced affections: in religion and people, about hope and love.
But, the form of two sentences (the novel consisted of only two sentences) was fatiguing. I had to take many breaks, and it wasn't good for feeling the story.
Worth reading, but only for those opened to other forms, especially stream of consciousness.
First of all, Krzysztof Skonieczny as a narrator of the audiobook was brilliant. I am sure, I would have abandoned the novel if I had read it by myselFirst of all, Krzysztof Skonieczny as a narrator of the audiobook was brilliant. I am sure, I would have abandoned the novel if I had read it by myself. His timbre, his reading for different voices were marvelous. And his Dario... Well, I had gooseflesh.
The story was interesting (also brutal, foul-mouthed), and the characters were complex. Jakub Żulczyk seems to be able to create intriguing metaphors and comparisons like it is the easiest thing. Moreover, in his style of writing (at least in this book) was a kind of melody, there was an atmosphere that made me feel the stuffiness, tension, harshness, and violence of the captured world. And the scenes were very film.
But, it looked like he couldn't stop himself. Many parts were like essays (he wrote columns in many newspapers, so he has experience). I like good essays, but putting them in a novel made it tiring. As I wrote, only thanks to Skonieczny's reading I finished it and I was able to enjoy it....more
Time travel to the times of (mostly) my young adult years. A few phenomena were outside my bubble, but most I knew and experienced.
I listen to the autTime travel to the times of (mostly) my young adult years. A few phenomena were outside my bubble, but most I knew and experienced.
I listen to the authors' podcasts (most topics in this book they also spoke about in podcasts), yet it was still worth listening to because they gave shorter versions here. (For those who want to know more I recommend listening to the podcasts).
Another novel I couldn't get involved in. I know Witold Gombrowicz was a precious voice in Polish culture. I get the feeling I would like to speak witAnother novel I couldn't get involved in. I know Witold Gombrowicz was a precious voice in Polish culture. I get the feeling I would like to speak with him, but reading his novels is a bigger challenge. Still, I will try someday his other books, perhaps diaries....more
I think one has to know and understand Polish reality in the second half of the XX century (before 1989) to be able to understand (and appreciate) thiI think one has to know and understand Polish reality in the second half of the XX century (before 1989) to be able to understand (and appreciate) this novel.
This travel into the past wasn't nice, it was full of a gray world and bitter people. In this nonsense of reality and national mythology was a sentimental melody, regret, and longing for gone and lost years.
I like Pilch's wit and harsh criticism.
I think his books are the time travel which one can value only if one was/live then earlier (in those times). ...more
At the core, it was a sad story. Smiling at Mr Trąba a reader feels glum and regret fWhat a wonderfully bizarre story.
And, what a witty and sharp pen.
At the core, it was a sad story. Smiling at Mr Trąba a reader feels glum and regret for all those people whose life was broken by the reality (political system).
I think you have to remember (at least a bit) the reality of PRL (The Polish People's Republic), the time when Poland was controlled by the Soviets. Or at least, you have to have a good gist of those times. Otherwise, I am afraid you will not be able to understand and appreciate the book.
PS Now I understand, why, in Poland, Jerzy Pilch had (probably still has) a group of hard fans in the 90ties of the XX century and at the beginning of the XXI. For some reason, I didn't then try his books. And I think it was for the best because I am not sure I was ready then for his voice.
Perhaps it lost a bit of the originality, to me, because I have read the two parts of the saga one after the other. So, I must admit it wasn't as big Perhaps it lost a bit of the originality, to me, because I have read the two parts of the saga one after the other. So, I must admit it wasn't as big a "wow" as I had earlier. Still, my review of the part Wpatrzeni w niebo fits this part too.
It was a bit chaotic biography. There were also many unnecessary details, like all the plants she planted in her garden (and I really mean the names oIt was a bit chaotic biography. There were also many unnecessary details, like all the plants she planted in her garden (and I really mean the names of all herbs, vegetables, flowers, etc.) So, because of that chaos, I am not able now to name (even only the biggest ones) chronologically events from Kora's life.
What the author did well was that she created the atmosphere of the times Kora lived or rather two, third periods in Polish history of the XX century.
I also have now the feeling I know and (more or less) understand Kora. It is new to me because I am from a generation (sub-generation) who knew about Kora little, almost only that she sang with Maanam band and I knew a few of their hits. I am sure, for someone who was from Kora's generation (and for her fans) - the book will sound a bit different.
In summary, I am really glad I listened to the audiobook. Her songs will now have another level for me....more
An interesting biography of (probably) one of the first Polish ecologists fighting for animal rights in Poland. A woman born into a famous family of PAn interesting biography of (probably) one of the first Polish ecologists fighting for animal rights in Poland. A woman born into a famous family of Polish painters (in four generations), who didn't fit into the family but in the end found her own passion.
As always, I am not rating the human, the hero of the book.
I am rating the way the author told the story of Simona Kossak. I knew nothing about her, so I wasn't bored. I learned quite a lot. Yet, I got the feeling it lacked some part of her life (as a scientist), and I have just checked out that is true.
A brilliant novel about Polish peasant life in the first half of the XIX century in the Russian Partition of not existing then Poland.
Everyday life, sA brilliant novel about Polish peasant life in the first half of the XIX century in the Russian Partition of not existing then Poland.
Everyday life, struggles, hard work, dreams, hopes, disappointments, unfairness, happiness, sadness. There was simply all that was (and still is) the everyday life of people.
It was told without pathos but with understanding. The voice of Anna Fryczkowska is the voice who knows facts and wants to tell the story from the perspective of ordinary people. They were prejudiced, completely not educated, and believed in many odd magic. Yet, they were people with the same dreams as ours and just tried to cope with a hard life to get some bits of happiness.
It is absolutely must read for every fan of historical fiction, especially those interested in Polish history....more
The beginning (one, two first scenes) was great. I hoped it would be such narration the whole time. Yet, save that beginning, the narration was differThe beginning (one, two first scenes) was great. I hoped it would be such narration the whole time. Yet, save that beginning, the narration was different. On the one hand, it was a bit annoyingly chaotic. On the other hand, it most probably allowed me to feel Zofia Stryjeńska.
Do I understand Stryjeńska now? Yes, I think so.
Could her story be told differently (and more explanatory)? Yes, I think so.
So, the form wasn't my cup of tea, but I admit - it was one of the ways to achieve the goal. [3-3.5 stars]
Zofia Styjeńska was definitely a colorful, fascinating artist (just look at her paintings on the Internet). She also lived in very troubled times (the two world wars in Poland). She fought with woman's needs, artist's desires, and human dreams. And to add to it, she had (in my opinion) big mental problems. I can't diagnose her, of course, but it was obvious there was something more, deeper than just personality features....more
I liked that the author tried to use language like (probably) teenagers (similar to those in the novel) use. It made the story more real.
But, again, lI liked that the author tried to use language like (probably) teenagers (similar to those in the novel) use. It made the story more real.
But, again, like with another book by the author, Rozpływaj się, rather fast I had the feeling that I knew all that Anna Cieplak had to tell. Besides, I started to doubt if the form wasn't overused.
Anna Cieplak has definitely something to tell. She knows what topics are important, irksome, and painful for Polish people (probably not only). It just seems to me, that she needs more plot, or something like that in her novels....more
Birds are like eyes when the colors close so maybe the dead are children who eat the singing.
Mateusz Pakuła is a genius at playing with the Polish
Birds are like eyes when the colors close so maybe the dead are children who eat the singing.
Mateusz Pakuła is a genius at playing with the Polish language. His imagination knows no boundaries. His stories are poetic and surrealistic. Through marvelous wit and twisted scenes, he asks about modern society, people, prejudice, and cravings. He is our crooked mirror - priceless and worth looking in - no matter how much uncomfortable one can feel....more
Loading...
