Literatura ze środka Europy · Marcin Piotrowski

Katherine Mansfield - Opowiadania wybrane (1911-1923)

·23 min·2 clips

A new collection of 23 Katherine Mansfield stories from 1911-1923 includes a revelatory afterword that changes how to read them.

This episode of 'Literatura ze środka Europy' focuses on a new Polish edition of Katherine Mansfield's selected short stories from 1911 to 1923. The host begins by noting Mansfield's long-standing popularity in Poland since the 1930s and describes the collection's 23 stories spanning 420 pages. He emphasizes the value of Magda Heidel's afterword, which provides biographical and literary context, suggesting readers start there. Mansfield is introduced as a modernist writer of short forms who died young at 35 but significantly shaped contemporary writing. Her stories are noted for their freshness, feeling modern despite being over a century old. The host explains that Mansfield's innovation lies in focusing on internal experiences—fleeting moments of tragedy, absurdity, or injustice—rather than traditional plots. He gives an example of a story about class division where children find beauty in a small lamp, illustrating her open-ended style. Mansfield's work often features humor mixed with cruelty, critiquing Victorian society's constraints while portraying lonely, misunderstood characters. The host mentions her complex relationship with Virginia Woolf, described as a competitive friendship. He praises Heidel's translation for its linguistic care, including animal sounds and old-fashioned name endings. Recommendations include online Polish Radio interviews with Heidel and readings of Mansfield's stories, as well as a 25-minute film adaptation of 'Garden Party'. The host shares personal reflections, such as being moved by the story 'Nad Zatoką' and planning to explore Mansfield's letters and diaries. He concludes by noting Mansfield's influence on writers like Andrzej Bobkowski and her enduring appeal.

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