I have become a true fan of the Fitzcarraldo publishing company. Almost without fail they have been able to translate and publish excellent literature that would otherwise never have been known outside of the borders of the original language. "
The Possessed" by Witold Gombrowicz fits well in this category. Originally published in 1939, it tells the bizarre story of a young tennis coach who accepts to train a young female tennis talent, who lives with her wealthy parents in a castle in rural Poland.
Then everything spins out of control and we are in the middle of a gothic novel, with ghostlike events, a closed castle, doubtful characters, mysteries and evil. Gombrowicz has fun in writing his story, and in mixing different genres into a new literary tapestry.
It is a unique and very memorable novel, even if some aspects are a little outdated, and his knowledge of tennis is clearly subpar, but that should not keep you from reading it. Pleasure is guaranteed.
No comments:
Post a Comment