Demon of movement, demon of time, spectra of places

Six years ago, Grabiński admirers from Poland declared 2012 "The Year of Grabiński." Up to that point, Polish readers had to consult out-of-print (frequently hard-to-find) editions in order to appreciate many lesser known works by the Polish master of psycho-fantasy.

Below, some older editions of Grabińskis novels:

Salamandra (Salamander) (Lviv 1924)

Klasztor i morze (Cloister and Sea) (Warsaw 1928)

As for critical works about the author and his literary output, one could rely only on the invaluable monograph Twórczość literacka Stefana Grabińskiego (1887-1936) (Stefan Grabiński's Literary Oeuvre) by Artur Hutnikiewicz. During his life, Hutnikiewicz was the main authority on Grabiński.

Twórczość literacka Stefana Grabińskiego (1887-1936) by Artur Hutnikiewicz, (Toruń 1959)

Thanks to the efforts of those enthusiasts who, over the years and most significantly in 2012, have made Grabiński rightfully recognizable again, numerous publishers have been drawn to his works and new Polish editions of long-time unavailable, rare Grabinskiana have been reprinted in various affordable publications, making a major part of his works finally available to his aficionados. As of now, the readers can peruse Grabiński's collections of short fiction, novels and theater plays.

Theater plays (Norbertinum, Lublin 2016)

Apart from these publications, since 2012 a couple of new monographs on Grabiński have appeared. I find this successful effort in popularizing the works of one of the greatest writers in the genre an impressive achievement.

I just got hold of the following gorgeous new monograph of 350 pages that focuses on Grabiński's life and works: Joanna Majewska, Demon of movement, demon of time, spectra of places. Fantastic Grabiński and his world. (Ossolineum Publishing House, Wrocław 2018). This is the first such richly illustrated critical study about the author to be published in any language.

From the publisher:

"Joanna Majewska attempts to recreate his world, with its centre in Lviv. She brings back people, places, and events shaping Grabiński's imagination and talent. Majewska cross-references her hypotheses with Grabiński’s writings. She presents his work as an original phenomenon, shaped by personal experience and provincial microcosm, but at the same time being part - consciously or unconsciously - of transformations undergoing in the macrocosm of the European literature and culture."

This publication deserves to be translated into English. I am adding it to my Translingual Divinations page.