Polish writers and poets - what is worth reading?

Stanislaw Lem, Ryszard Kapuscinki, Czeslaw Milosz and many others.

Any comments on that topic?

I would like to know what is worth reading from other contemporary writers in Poland these days from ppl who have read something interesting.
This topic should be moved to another section - sorry ADM:(
Thank you.

Polish artists aren't doing too good these days. Lem, Kapuscinski, Milosz - it will be hard to replace them even throughout this century.

For me, Wislawa Szymborska...I don't read that much poetry, but hers...I even keep a book at my work (just in case I need to read it).

Unofrtunately, translation of poetry is almost impossible.

I read a lot of history and psychology books during my leisure time (if I'm notbrowsing this forum that is :) ). the last book not related with the themes mentioned above wouldb be Sapkowski's "Pani jeziora". I would recommend Sapkowski's works to every true fan of fantasy. He's just brilliant.

Thank you all for sharing.
I love Kapuscinki myslef, he really knows how to picture reality of historical events all over the world.
Mitffoch - I need to do the same - have Szyborska at my side at all times.
Matyjasz, unfortunatelly I am not into fantasy, I am mostly interested in journalistic writing such as Kapuscinki.


I though there were some new faces in Polish literature these days, haven't read anything yet.

just found out that Ryszard Kapuscinki died - he was my here:(

Since you mentioned Lem I thought that maybe you will be interested. Many s-f fans also like fantasy. Oh well... :(

you are absolutely right, I mentioned Lem, but I really don't read him that much, thanks for your suggestion though. I know that Sepkowski is very popular in Poland and I know that he is good.

I find Lem little difficult...very philosophical....What about Strugaccy? They are quite popular.

I have read just those, who are traslated into Lithuanian - Milosz, Szymborska, Herbert, Rozewic. They are wonderful! Now I started to learn Polish that I would read them and others in source language.

I never once seen Henryck Gorecki's name mentioned

how does anyone feel about him?

To Clarify, never seen him mentioned in any threads, yes hes famous composer
and since I been here, no one has mentioned. that s all.

he was famous some years ago for his 3rd symphony - I believe.
Somber, sad and very touching music.

Perhaps it's time to open a new topic: Polish composers:)

My holy trinity:

Edward Stachura
Charles Bukowski
Mariusz Sieniewicz

and some others writers too. Those are the best for me anyway.

Hey, Charles Bukowski, or 'Henry Chinaski', that's a Pollack for you...I loved Bukowski for
many years, and one of my old friends, Celinda, had dinner w/him & his girlfriend out
in California back in the 80's...she said he was quite the gentleman & very cordial...I
espicially liked 'Post Office', as I have worked many jobs of this kind in my time...after a
while, though, I just found him too depressing & nihilistic...but definitely a top writer &
extremely funny...'Erections, Ejaculations, Exhibitions & Tales of Ordinary Madness' is
a great compilation, but again, very sad.

OMG thats unfair! If he lived now, i would have dinner with him!

I love his creations for his naturalism and language full of vulgarism. It make me think straight about topic, like conversation with a friend or so. In one side so easy style, on the other hand its so sensitive and deep. Talked about humans stuff, not any useless bs!

Did u ever try Mariusz Sieniewicz?

Stanislaw Wyspianski was a poet as well as a painter right?

This Sieniewicz seems pretty interesting (I did a little search on him)...I don't read much
fiction nowadays, although I have been reading Solshenytsin's 'The First Circle'...most
US writers today bore me to tears, as they just write about themselves, and not many
have actually lived enough to have anything meaningful to say...I might have to order
a book of his online, because all the big book joints here peddle crap...I devote most
of my 'imagination' time to working on my music, but it would be nice to read some good
contemporary fiction...I think Europe probably has the US beat as far as writers go.

Sure he was! But im not in seriously love with his poems or dramas, only in paintings:P Just Young Poland isnt my favourite period in literature.

Anyway, hes a genious!

Joe, i think u should try with Sieniewicz;) I hope ull like it!
Did u maybe red already some fragments of his books over internet? I want to know if u like his style of writing.

Its 5th part of Saga. I strongly reccomend to read whole lot for some1 who loves fantasy!

On topic:
One of my favourites is Tadeusz Rozewicz. Amazing poetry !!!

Haha, hes comming from my city ^^
I respect his poems about 2WW! Thats something cool. Rozewiczs ruless:P