Wroniec (book)
Encyclopedia
Wroniec is a fantasy
novel published in 2009 by the Polish science fiction
writer Jacek Dukaj
, published in Poland by Wydawnictwo Literackie
. The novel has been extensivly illustrated by Jakub Jabłoński. The novel was nominated for the prime Polish award for science-fiction literature, Janusz A. Zajdel Award
, as well as the Angelus
award, in 2009. It also received the Autumn 2009 prize of the Poznański Przegląd Nowości Wydawniczych (Poznań Review of New Publications).
The book is presented in a form of a fairy tale
for children
, and relates a story of a fantasy-like adventure of a young boy during the martial law in Poland
of early 1980s. Due to its layered nature, it contains numerous serious references to the events surrounding the controversial martial law in question, and is targeted more to adults than to the children. The author himself has described the book as the "dark, national phantasmagoria
in the form of a children's fairy tale". The structure of the book, in particular, addressing the martial law through an overtly children's book format, has caused some controversy in Poland, and sparked a discussion about the public perception of the martial law events.
of early 1980s. Adaś, a little boy, falls ill around the time the marial law begins. After he wakes he witnesses the titular Wroniec (Crowman, a pun on the nickname of WRON
and general Wojciech Jaruzelski
who orchestrated the martial law) kidnapping most of his family and wounding his mother. Together with an old worker, Jan Beton, he sets out to look for them. Outside, the town is gray, as the Graying Machine tries to sap energy from everyone. He will have to face many opponents, such as the Milipants, Double Agents, the Queue and other monsters. He will be aided by the opposition, lead by the Most Stubborn Electrician (a reference on Lech Wałęsa
).
, Polityka
, Tygodnik Powszechny
, Dziennik Polski
). Dissenting reviews where few. Notably, Monika Małkowska in Rzeczpospolita
has described the book as confusing and naive, but her review itself has been criticized in turn by Maciej Parowski
.
The art of Jakub Jabłoński, who designed the cover and numerous illustrations within the book, has also been praised. The art style of Wronic has been compared to cartoons of Tim Burton
.
The book is presented in a form of a fairy tale
for children
. Due to its layered nature, it contains numerous serious references to the events surrounding the controversial martial law in question, and is targeted more to adults than to the children. The fairy tale presented here is grim indeed; Crow-Soldiers throw those caught without a pass into boiling claudrons, Milipants (police) beat to kill, and crows go after the eyes. Dukaj has described the book as the "dark, national phantasmagoria
in the form of a children's fairy tale". There are numerous references to language and cultural aspects of the bygone People's Polish Republic. Dukaj mixes the language of a little boy with the Polish Communisty Party's newspeak
. He creates new words, and the book is full of songs and poems created through that mix. There are inspirations and references to the Grimm Brothers, Lewis Caroll (whose quote opens the book), Cormac McCarthy
, Edgar Allan Poe
, Stefan Żeromski
and Tadeusz Konwicki
.
The structure of the book, in particular, addressing the martial law through an overtly children's book format, has caused some controversy in Poland, although mostly positive. While reviewrs often stated that the book "should be controversial", they praised Dukaj for this innovative approach and breaking the unspoken taboo
with regards to writing about this part of modern Polish history.
As one of the reviewers noted: "nobody has told such a story about the December of 1981 till now." Sparking such a discussion about the martial law and reclaiming the subject for cultural discussions was one of Dukaj's goals.
The publication of the book has been supported by the Institute of National Remembrance
and the National Center for Culture (Narodowe Centrum Kultury), and it has been part of the martial law anniversary remembrance. As part of that initative, Polish singer Kazik Staszewski
wrote music for two of several songs contained within the book. It has also been adapted for theatre
. The novel was nominated for the prime Polish award for science-fiction literature, Janusz A. Zajdel Award
, as well as the Angelus
award, in 2009. It also received the Autumn 2009 prize of the Poznański Przegląd Nowości Wydawniczych (Poznań Review of New Publications).
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
novel published in 2009 by the Polish science fiction
Science fiction and fantasy in Poland
Science fiction and fantasy in Poland dates to the late 18th century. During the later years of the People's Republic of Poland, social science fiction was a very popular genre of science fiction. Afterwards, many others gained prominence. Currently there are many science fiction writers in Poland....
writer Jacek Dukaj
Jacek Dukaj
Jacek Dukaj is a Polish science fiction writer. Winner of the Janusz A. Zajdel Award , Śląkfa , Żuławski Award , Kościelski Award and the European Union Prize for Literature .-Career:Dukaj studied philosophy at the Jagiellonian University...
, published in Poland by Wydawnictwo Literackie
Wydawnictwo Literackie
Wydawnictwo Literackie is a Kraków-based Polish publishing house. Since its foundation in 1953, Wydawnictwo Literackie has been focused on publishing modern prose and poetry by both renown and emerging authors, both Polish and foreign...
. The novel has been extensivly illustrated by Jakub Jabłoński. The novel was nominated for the prime Polish award for science-fiction literature, Janusz A. Zajdel Award
Janusz A. Zajdel Award
The Janusz A. Zajdel Award , often called just Zajdel,is the annual award given by the Polish science fiction and fantasy fandom for the best stories published in the previous year...
, as well as the Angelus
Angelus
The Angelus is a Christian devotion in memory of the Incarnation. The name Angelus is derived from the opening words: Angelus Domini nuntiavit Mariæ The Angelus (Latin for "angel") is a Christian devotion in memory of the Incarnation. The name Angelus is derived from the opening words: Angelus...
award, in 2009. It also received the Autumn 2009 prize of the Poznański Przegląd Nowości Wydawniczych (Poznań Review of New Publications).
The book is presented in a form of a fairy tale
Fairy tale
A fairy tale is a type of short story that typically features such folkloric characters, such as fairies, goblins, elves, trolls, dwarves, giants or gnomes, and usually magic or enchantments. However, only a small number of the stories refer to fairies...
for children
Children's literature
Children's literature is for readers and listeners up to about age twelve; it is often defined in four different ways: books written by children, books written for children, books chosen by children, or books chosen for children. It is often illustrated. The term is used in senses which sometimes...
, and relates a story of a fantasy-like adventure of a young boy during the martial law in Poland
Martial law in Poland
Martial law in Poland refers to the period of time from December 13, 1981 to July 22, 1983, when the authoritarian government of the People's Republic of Poland drastically restricted normal life by introducing martial law in an attempt to crush political opposition to it. Thousands of opposition...
of early 1980s. Due to its layered nature, it contains numerous serious references to the events surrounding the controversial martial law in question, and is targeted more to adults than to the children. The author himself has described the book as the "dark, national phantasmagoria
Phantasmagoria
Phantasmagoria can refer to:* Phantasmagoria, a type of show using an optical device to display moving images* Phantasmagoria, a video game* Phantasmagoria: A Puzzle of Flesh, a video game sequel to Phantasmagoria...
in the form of a children's fairy tale". The structure of the book, in particular, addressing the martial law through an overtly children's book format, has caused some controversy in Poland, and sparked a discussion about the public perception of the martial law events.
Plot
The book tells a fantasy-like story of a young boy during the martial law in PolandMartial law in Poland
Martial law in Poland refers to the period of time from December 13, 1981 to July 22, 1983, when the authoritarian government of the People's Republic of Poland drastically restricted normal life by introducing martial law in an attempt to crush political opposition to it. Thousands of opposition...
of early 1980s. Adaś, a little boy, falls ill around the time the marial law begins. After he wakes he witnesses the titular Wroniec (Crowman, a pun on the nickname of WRON
Military Council of National Salvation
The Military Council of National Salvation was a military dictatorship administering the People's Republic of Poland during the period of the martial law in Poland ....
and general Wojciech Jaruzelski
Wojciech Jaruzelski
Wojciech Witold Jaruzelski is a retired Polish military officer and Communist politician. He was the last Communist leader of Poland from 1981 to 1989, Prime Minister from 1981 to 1985 and the country's head of state from 1985 to 1990. He was also the last commander-in-chief of the Polish People's...
who orchestrated the martial law) kidnapping most of his family and wounding his mother. Together with an old worker, Jan Beton, he sets out to look for them. Outside, the town is gray, as the Graying Machine tries to sap energy from everyone. He will have to face many opponents, such as the Milipants, Double Agents, the Queue and other monsters. He will be aided by the opposition, lead by the Most Stubborn Electrician (a reference on Lech Wałęsa
Lech Wałęsa
Lech Wałęsa is a Polish politician, trade-union organizer, and human-rights activist. A charismatic leader, he co-founded Solidarity , the Soviet bloc's first independent trade union, won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1983, and served as President of Poland between 1990 and 95.Wałęsa was an electrician...
).
Reception
The book garnered mostly positive reviews, including in mainstream Polish press (Gazeta WyborczaGazeta Wyborcza
Gazeta Wyborcza is a leading Polish newspaper. It covers the gamut of political, international and general news. Like all the Polish newspapers, it is printed on compact-sized paper, and is published by the multimedia corporation Agora SA...
, Polityka
Polityka
Polityka is a centre-left weekly newsmagazine in Poland. With a circulation of 170,000 it is the country's biggest selling weekly, ahead of Newsweek's Polish edition and Wprost. Today, the magazine has a slightly intellectual, social liberal profile, setting it apart from the more conservative...
, Tygodnik Powszechny
Tygodnik Powszechny
Tygodnik Powszechny is a Polish Roman Catholic weekly magazine, focusing on social and cultural issues. Established in 1945 under the auspices of Cardinal Adam Stefan Sapieha, Jerzy Turowicz was its editor-in-chief until his death in 1999. He was succeeded by priest Adam Boniecki.-History:The...
, Dziennik Polski
Dziennik Polski
Dziennik Polski is a London-based Polish-language newspaper for Polish immigrants.Dziennik Polski may also refer to:* Dziennik Polski , a newspaper based in Kraków, Poland, where Jan Lam worked....
). Dissenting reviews where few. Notably, Monika Małkowska in Rzeczpospolita
Rzeczpospolita (newspaper)
Rzeczpospolita is a Polish national daily newspaper, with a circulation around of 160,000. Issued every day except Sunday. Rzeczpospolita was printed in broadsheet format, then switched to compact at October 16, 2007...
has described the book as confusing and naive, but her review itself has been criticized in turn by Maciej Parowski
Maciej Parowski
Maciej Parowski is a Polish publicist, essayist, writer and translator. Critic of science-fiction, chief editor of Nowa Fantastyka from 1992-2003, editor of several science-fiction series and anthologies. Chief editor of Czas Fantastyki...
.
The art of Jakub Jabłoński, who designed the cover and numerous illustrations within the book, has also been praised. The art style of Wronic has been compared to cartoons of Tim Burton
Tim Burton
Timothy William "Tim" Burton is an American film director, film producer, writer and artist. He is famous for dark, quirky-themed movies such as Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Ed Wood, Sleepy Hollow, Corpse Bride and Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet...
.
The book is presented in a form of a fairy tale
Fairy tale
A fairy tale is a type of short story that typically features such folkloric characters, such as fairies, goblins, elves, trolls, dwarves, giants or gnomes, and usually magic or enchantments. However, only a small number of the stories refer to fairies...
for children
Children's literature
Children's literature is for readers and listeners up to about age twelve; it is often defined in four different ways: books written by children, books written for children, books chosen by children, or books chosen for children. It is often illustrated. The term is used in senses which sometimes...
. Due to its layered nature, it contains numerous serious references to the events surrounding the controversial martial law in question, and is targeted more to adults than to the children. The fairy tale presented here is grim indeed; Crow-Soldiers throw those caught without a pass into boiling claudrons, Milipants (police) beat to kill, and crows go after the eyes. Dukaj has described the book as the "dark, national phantasmagoria
Phantasmagoria
Phantasmagoria can refer to:* Phantasmagoria, a type of show using an optical device to display moving images* Phantasmagoria, a video game* Phantasmagoria: A Puzzle of Flesh, a video game sequel to Phantasmagoria...
in the form of a children's fairy tale". There are numerous references to language and cultural aspects of the bygone People's Polish Republic. Dukaj mixes the language of a little boy with the Polish Communisty Party's newspeak
Newspeak
Newspeak is a fictional language in George Orwell's novel Nineteen Eighty-Four. In the novel, it refers to the deliberately impoverished language promoted by the state. Orwell included an essay about it in the form of an appendix in which the basic principles of the language are explained...
. He creates new words, and the book is full of songs and poems created through that mix. There are inspirations and references to the Grimm Brothers, Lewis Caroll (whose quote opens the book), Cormac McCarthy
Cormac McCarthy
Cormac McCarthy is an American novelist and playwright. He has written ten novels, spanning the Southern Gothic, Western, and modernist genres. He received the Pulitzer Prize and the James Tait Black Memorial Prize for Fiction for The Road...
, Edgar Allan Poe
Edgar Allan Poe
Edgar Allan Poe was an American author, poet, editor and literary critic, considered part of the American Romantic Movement. Best known for his tales of mystery and the macabre, Poe was one of the earliest American practitioners of the short story and is considered the inventor of the detective...
, Stefan Żeromski
Stefan Zeromski
Stefan Żeromski was a Polish novelist and dramatist. He was called the "conscience of Polish literature". He also wrote under the pen names: Maurycy Zych, Józef Katerla and Stefan Iksmoreż.- Life :...
and Tadeusz Konwicki
Tadeusz Konwicki
Tadeusz Konwicki is a Polish writer and film director, a member of the Polish Language Council.-Life:Konwicki was born in 1926 in Nowa Wilejka near Wilno, where he spent his early childhood. He spent his adolescence in Wilno, attending a local gymnasium...
.
The structure of the book, in particular, addressing the martial law through an overtly children's book format, has caused some controversy in Poland, although mostly positive. While reviewrs often stated that the book "should be controversial", they praised Dukaj for this innovative approach and breaking the unspoken taboo
Taboo
A taboo is a strong social prohibition relating to any area of human activity or social custom that is sacred and or forbidden based on moral judgment, religious beliefs and or scientific consensus. Breaking the taboo is usually considered objectionable or abhorrent by society...
with regards to writing about this part of modern Polish history.
As one of the reviewers noted: "nobody has told such a story about the December of 1981 till now." Sparking such a discussion about the martial law and reclaiming the subject for cultural discussions was one of Dukaj's goals.
The publication of the book has been supported by the Institute of National Remembrance
Institute of National Remembrance
Institute of National Remembrance — Commission for the Prosecution of Crimes against the Polish Nation is a Polish government-affiliated research institute with lustration prerogatives and prosecution powers founded by specific legislation. It specialises in the legal and historical sciences and...
and the National Center for Culture (Narodowe Centrum Kultury), and it has been part of the martial law anniversary remembrance. As part of that initative, Polish singer Kazik Staszewski
Kazik Staszewski
Kazik Staszewski is a Polish lead singer, songwriter, and leader of the band Kult.Kazik founded Kult in 1982. Their latest album, Hurra, was released in September 2009....
wrote music for two of several songs contained within the book. It has also been adapted for theatre
Theatre
Theatre is a collaborative form of fine art that uses live performers to present the experience of a real or imagined event before a live audience in a specific place. The performers may communicate this experience to the audience through combinations of gesture, speech, song, music or dance...
. The novel was nominated for the prime Polish award for science-fiction literature, Janusz A. Zajdel Award
Janusz A. Zajdel Award
The Janusz A. Zajdel Award , often called just Zajdel,is the annual award given by the Polish science fiction and fantasy fandom for the best stories published in the previous year...
, as well as the Angelus
Angelus
The Angelus is a Christian devotion in memory of the Incarnation. The name Angelus is derived from the opening words: Angelus Domini nuntiavit Mariæ The Angelus (Latin for "angel") is a Christian devotion in memory of the Incarnation. The name Angelus is derived from the opening words: Angelus...
award, in 2009. It also received the Autumn 2009 prize of the Poznański Przegląd Nowości Wydawniczych (Poznań Review of New Publications).