Poems
1966
First Published
3.80
Average Rating
180
Number of Pages
Considered a "Christian Socrates" by one critic and a "hieroglyph stylist" by another, Cyprian Norwid was more unanimously recognized, however, as one of the most vital figures in Polish letters whose verse is as idiosyncratic as it is profound. Traveling against the currents of the philosophy of his day, Norwid was a historicist with deep insight into the codes and ripples in the society around him. This engaging bilingual collection, selected and translated from the Polish by Danuta Borchardt, includes many of Norwid's revered poems, including Vademecum. True to its Latin summons, "go with me," the epic poem invites the reader to accompany Norwid on a journey though many lands and timeless question, seeking truth. We witness Norwid decrying the tight-fisted city folk of London, befriending Frédéric Chopin – whom he meets during his travels, and lamenting the death of a friend. Lyrical, moving and often biting, this collection gives an evocative glimpse into the world of an extraordinary poet.
Avg Rating
3.80
Number of Ratings
60
5 STARS
32%
4 STARS
28%
3 STARS
30%
2 STARS
8%
1 STARS
2%
goodreads
Author
Cyprian Kamil Norwid
Author · 8 books
Polish poet, dramatist, prosaist, essayist, philosopher, painter and sculptor. An outsider, despite his acquaintance with the famous - Chopin, Mickiewicz, Słowacki and Krasiński, he remained underestimated to be finally appreciated in the XX century. Censorship in partitioned Poland forced him to live in Paris. His work included hundreds of poems, some prose, dramas, sketches, paintings and sculptures. His early unfulfilled love formed his style, full of sensitivity. Since then he was mostly lonely, with the first of two other known romances occurring at age of 47. His main interests were writing style, polish society and morality. He spent all money on works of art and journeys to live in London, Berlin, New York and, mostly, Paris.
