Galicijske priče

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This book, published by Twisted Spoon Press in Prague, showcases works by Czech and Slavic authors in English. The official publisher's annotation describes it as a set of prose ballads set in the southeastern tip of Poland, skillfully merging short stories and novelistic elements. It paints a vivid, poetic portrait of an imaginary village once part of a collective farm system, inhabited by Poles, Ukrainians, and Jews, which became homogenous after the war. The new inhabitants created a unique culture devoid of historical ties to the past. Following the abolition of state farm subsidies in the early 1990s, the village faced economic decline, leading to high unemployment and a lifestyle centered around drinking in the pub. However, instead of a bleak narrative, the author employs a vibrant language that transforms the monotony of life into poetry, culminating in a comical yet poignant redemption scene. The work delves into metaphysical themes, blurring the distinctions between the living and the dead, reality and dreams, and various cultural divides. Recognized as one of Poland's foremost contemporary writers, this book stands out as one of the author's most compelling works.