Bolesław Prus
Author.
Probably the Polish author who has had the greatest impact on my understanding of Poland.
Participated as a 16-year-old in the January Uprising (1863) against Russia, captured but released due to his young age.
Tried to study but had to give up due to financial problems.
Began a career as a journalist in 1872.
The two most important works in a series of books and serials are two must-read novels that have also been made into films:
Lalka (1889) (The Doll) takes the reader around Warsaw and Poland during the period of Russian rule in the 19th century, with the dreams and tensions that exist in the society, which otherwise functions brilliantly despite the political repression.
It’s simply a book that provides a complex view of Poland’s mental heritage, as Prus gets into all corners of society.
At the same time, the work delivers a number of universal observations on human relationships and provides compelling psychological portraits of the book’s participants.
Pharaoh (1895) – historical novel about the intricacies of power set in ancient Egypt.
As a historical novel, it offers the opportunity to indirectly criticise the way Polish society functions.
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