Impressions of a transoceanic reader

Abstract

The paper attempts to form a subjective judgment of literary events taking place in Poland after 1990. The author shares his observations on the literary works of Polish prose writers (Pilch, Karpowicz, Kuczok) focusing the reader’s attention on Joanna Bator’s novel "Ciemno, prawie noc". The language of artistic expression becomes the main point of reference. On the basis of the analysis of these two prose works we put forward a thesis that post-Gombrowiczan language: the language of derision, grotesque, baroque elaborateness, has lost its popularity and now it is covering the reality rather than uncovering it. In turn, at the other extreme one may find Andrzej Stasiuk’s "Opowieści galicyjskie". These are texts, narrations and stories which are suitable for reading; they can either delight or outrage. They stand on their own merits, so they do not need excessive analyses which interfere with the pleasure of reading.