Adam Zagajewski Books

A new essay collection by the noted Polish poet For Adam Zagajewski—one of Poland’s great poets—the project of writing, whether it be poetry or prose, is an occasion to advance what David Wojahn has characterized as his “restless and quizzical quest for self-knowledge.” Slight Exaggeration is an autobiographical portrait of the poet, arranged not chronologically but with that same luminous quality that distinguishes Zagajewski’s spellbinding poetry—an affinity for the invisible. In a mosaic-like blend of criticism, reflections, European history, and aphoristic musings, Zagajewski tells the stories of his life in glimpses and reveries—from the Second World War and the occupation of Poland that left his family dispossessed to Joseph Brodsky’s funeral on the Venetian island of San Michele—interspersed with intellectual interrogations of the writers and poets (D. H. Lawrence, Giorgos Seferis, Zbigniew Herbert, Paul Valéry), composers and painters (Brahms, Rembrandt), and modern heroes (Helmuth James Graf von Moltke) who have influenced his work. A wry and philosophical defense of mystery, Slight Exaggeration recalls Zagajewski’s poetry in its delicate negotiation between the earthbound and the ethereal, “between brief explosions of meaning and patient wandering through the plains of ordinary days.” With an enduring inclination to marvel, Zagajewski restores the world to us—necessarily incomplete and utterly astonishing.

This compelling new work showcases the talent of a contemporary literary master, offering readers an impactful exploration of themes that resonate deeply in today's world. With a unique narrative style and rich character development, the author delves into complex emotions and societal issues, inviting reflection and discussion. The book promises to captivate both new readers and long-time fans, solidifying its place in the modern literary landscape.

Set against the backdrop of 1960s and 1970s communist Poland, the memoir explores Adam Zagajewski's journey as an emerging writer and philosophy student in Krakow. It delves into his experiences as a vocal dissident, capturing the complexities of life under a repressive regime while highlighting the vibrant cultural and intellectual atmosphere of the time. Through personal anecdotes, Zagajewski reflects on his formative years and the impact of political turmoil on his identity and creativity.

Vivid, attentive to the world, the poems in these lucid translations share the vocation that allows us, in Zagajewski's words, 'to experience astonishment and to stop still in that astonishment for a long moment or two'.'Seldom has the muse .

„Wahre Poesie kann nicht ohne die Begegnung mit dem Geist existieren.“ Diese Begegnung färbt die Poesie laut Adam Zagajewski mit Fragen, mit Begeisterung und mit Zweifeln, und das ist seiner Meinung nach das Wesen der Poesie. In seinem Festvortrag anlässlich der Verleihung des Leopold Lucas-Preises 2016 beschreibt er sein Verständnis von Dichtung sowie seine Forderungen an sie. Poesie dürfe sich nicht vom Alltäglichen abwenden, da sie sich vom Wirklichen, vom Konkreten nähre. Adam Zagajewski versteht Poesie nicht als Antwort, sondern als Pause von den Geschehnissen in der Welt, die nicht zu begreifen sind. Zagajewskis Werke sind von philosophischen und theologischen Aspekten geprägt und schlagen Brücken der Begegnung und des Verstehens zwischen Ost- und Westeuropa und dem nordamerikanischen Kontinent.

Focusing on the spiritual dimension of modern life, Adam Zagajewski's collection of essays seeks to revive concepts like ardor, inspiration, and the sublime, which have been overlooked by contemporary critics and artists. Through his reflections, he argues for the importance of these themes in understanding the essence of art and human experience, inviting readers to reconsider the deeper meanings behind artistic expression.

The highway became the Red Sea. We moved through the storm like a sheer valley. You drove; I looked at you with love. —from "Storm" One of the most gifted and readable poets of his time, Adam Zagajewski is proving to be a contemporary classic. Few writers in either poetry or prose can be said to have attained the lucid intelligence and limpid economy of style that have become a matter of course with Zagajewski. It is these qualities, combined with his wry humor, gentle skepticism, and perpetual sense of history's dark possibilities, that have earned him a devoted international following. This collection, gracefully translated by Clare Cavanagh, finds the poet reflecting on place, language, and history. Especially moving here are his tributes to writers, friends known in person or in books—people such as Milosz and Sebald, Brodsky and Blake—which intermingle naturally with portraits of family members and loved ones. Eternal Enemies is a luminous meeting of art and everyday life.

"A stunning, intimate collection by Adam Zagajewski (1945-2021), "the most pertinent, impressive, meaningful poet of our time" (Mary Oliver)"--