One of the most popular Polish writers of the 20th century, his works were dominated by the idea of evil prevailing over good, the inevitable loss of ideals in clashes with reality, and a masculinist point of view. He wrote about protest of a moral nature, depicting the lives of the lower classes as filled with hopelessness and cynicism, where dreams of change prove to be vain. His nonconformism and critique of communism led him to leave Poland, spending the rest of his life abroad.
In this novel of breathtaking tension and sweltering love, two desperate friends on the edge of the law - one of them tough and gutsy, the other small and scared - travel to the southern Israeli city of Eilat to find work. What follows is a story of passion, deception, violence, and betrayal, all conveyed in hardboiled prose reminiscent of Dashiell Hammett and Raymond Chandler, with a cinematic style that would make Humphrey Bogart and Marlon Brando green with envy.
Marek Hlasko's literary autobiography offers a gritty and humorous glimpse into the life of a young writer in 1950s Poland, capturing the essence of a rebellious generation. His memoir is filled with captivating tales of his experiences, including his interactions with notable figures like Roman Polanski and Jerzy Andrzejewski. Breaking away from Socialist-Realist norms, Hlasko emerged as a significant literary figure. Following his exile after publishing a novel in Paris, he became an enduring symbol of defiance and inspiration for future writers. Ross Ufberg's translation brings Hlasko's passionate voice to English readers.
Hlasko's story grips you like a pit bull, resonating with the intensity noted by "The Washington Post." His writing is taut and psychologically nuanced, reminiscent of the great dime-store novelist Georges Simenon, while his world echoes the rawness of Isaac Babel, as highlighted by "The Wall Street Journal." He serves as a voice for the angry and tortured, as described by "The New York Times," making this a must-read that is both piercing and compelling, according to "Kirkus Reviews." A self-taught writer, Hlasko possesses an uncanny gift for narrative and dialogue, as noted by Roman Polanski.
Set in 1960s Israel, Robert and Jacob are desperate Polish con men plotting to scam an American widow. Robert masterminds the scheme, while Jacob plays the role of the suitor, hoping to exploit her vulnerability. As Jacob feigns love, the story unfolds with themes of deception, cruelty, and shame, revealing that nearly all characters are performers in a dark narrative that includes murder and suicide. Hlasko's brutal realism and hardboiled dialogue depict a bleak world where violence prevails, and love is often merely an act. Known as the James Dean of Eastern Europe, Hlasko was exiled from Communist Poland and lived a life of wandering before his tragic death in 1969 from an overdose in Wiesbaden, Germany.
