It would seem impossible for one person to have so many incarnations: as active creator of literary life in Poland as a critic of modern poetry and prose, eminent literary scholar, co-founder of modern Polish theatre studies, author of monographs and essays on the greatest Polish playwrights, translator and commentator of foreign literature and, as if this were not enough, literary research methodologist.
Jan Blonski has been all of the above. Moreover, in one excellent essay, Blonski succeeded in enriching Polish literary culture with the awareness of Marcel Proust's significance. He also contributed to the recognition of Mikolaj Sep-Szarzynski's works.
The long bibliography of Professor Blonski's critical works began in 1949. To make a selection of literary essays and studies for the two volumes was a daring task bravely undertaken by Professor Jerzy Jarzebski, a student of Blonski's. Volume I comprises essays grouped into two thematic sections: "Among poets" and "Among novelists".
This volume includes essays on individual writers and their works: Tadeusz Rozewicz, Tadeusz Nowak, Zbigniew Herbert, Krzysztof Kamil Baczynski, Witold Gombrowicz, Bruno Schulz, Miazga / Pulp by Jerzy Andrzejewski, Wniebowstapienie / Ascension by Tadeusz Konwicki, Bialy Kruk / White Raven by Andrzej Stasiuk, Spis cudzoloznic / The List of Adulteresses by Jerzy Pilch and W czerwieni / In Red by Magdalena Tulli.
Jarzebski's selection, though analysing only part of Blonski's output, provides a comprehensive picture of the author's interests as well as a sizeable sample of what one might be tempted to call 'the Blonski method'.
Each work, irrespective of its author's fame, is treated by Blonski with a childlike enthusiasm. With such an approach it is easy both to be enchanted and to be disappointed, but Blonski does not stop there and pursues his emotions as far as they will go. His reading is merciless. He asks many questions and, distrusting grandiloquent declarations, allows the reader to watch him find answers. It is interesting that while Blonski is set on enjoying an individual conversation with the book he reads and resents simple classifications, he often formulates timeless conclusions, even in the most contemporary of texts. (Marek Mikos)
- Jan Błoński
Wszystko co literackie. Pisma wybrane, tom I / Entirely Literary
Wydawnictwo Literackie, Krakow 2001
© Jan Błoński, rights available
145 x 205, 400 pages, paperback
ISBN 83-08-03183-8