Bacacay - Softcover

Gombrowicz, Witold

Softcover

ISBN 10: 097639507X ISBN 13: 9780976395072

Publisher: Archipelago, 2006

Synopsis

A balloonist finds himself set upon by erotic lepers...a passenger on a ship notices a human eye on the deck...a group of aristocrats enjoy a vegetarian dish made from human flesh...a virginal young girl gnaws raw meat from a bone...a notorious ruffian is terrorized by a rat. Welcome to the bizarre universe of Witold Gombrowicz, whose legendary short story collection is presented here for the first time in English. These tales, hilarious, disturbing, and brilliantly written, are utterly unique in world literature. After reading them, you’ll never be the same.

About this title

About the Author:

Witold Gombrowicz (1904-1969) is considered the most remarkable Polish prose writer of the 20th century. He is the author of Ferdydurke, Trans-Atlantyk, Pornografia, and Cosmos, as well as plays, stories, and his Diary. Gombrowicz lived in Buenos Aires for over twenty years and spent his last in France. In 1967 he was awarded the Prix Formentor for his contribution to world literature.

Bill Johnston is the Chair of the Comparative Literature Department at Indiana University. His translations include Magdalens Tulli?s Dreams and Stones, Moving Parts, Flaw, and In Red. His 2008 translation of Tadeusz Ró?ewicz?s new poems won the inaugural Found in Translation Prize and was shortlisted for the National Book Critics Circle Poetry Award.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.:

Lawyer Kraykowski’s Dancer

I was on my way to see the operetta "The Gypsy Princess" for the thirty-fourth time —and, since it was late, I bypassed the line and went straight to the lady at the ticket window: "My dear madam, please just quickly give me my usual, in the balcony"—when sud- denly someone took hold of me from behind, and coldly—yes, coldly —dragged me away from the window and pushed me back to my proper place, i.e. the end of the line. My heart began pound- ing, I was short of breath—is it not a murderous thing when a person is suddenly taken by the collar in a public spot?—but I looked around: He was a tall, vigorous, fragrant individual with a short, trimmed mustache. He was conversing with two fashion- ably dressed ladies and one gentleman, and checking the tickets he had just bought.

They all looked at me —and I had to say something.

"Was it you who did me the honor?" I asked in a tone that might have been ironic, perhaps even sinister, but since I suddenly came over weak, I said it too quietly.

About this edition

• Publisher: Archipelago
• Publication date: 2006
• ISBN 10: 097639507X
• ISBN 13: 9780976395072
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 275