Prus zdegradowany
Prus Degraded

Review: Monika Piątkowska, Prus. Śledztwo biograficzne. Kraków 2017

Summary/Abstract: The review discusses Monika Piątkowska’s book “Prus. Śledztwo biograficzne (Prus. A Biographical Investigation)” in which the experience of fictional characters from the writer’s pieces (mainly protagonists from humorous tales selected in a biased way) are identified with the processes taking place in his mind. Prus’ mind, as a matter of principle, is depreciated, and e.g. the analyses of Prus’ handwritten notes on composition often mistakenly understood by Piątkowska lead her to formulating a thesis that they are effects of the writer’s mental disorder. Regardless of it, alongside to ignorance of Prus’ masterpieces (especially “Emancypantki <Emancipated Women>”) we oftentimes face academic dishonesty; in order to support her view on low value of the writing, Piątkowska at times uses manipulates quotes, and her comparison of Prus’ works to these of other writers almost always leads to the former’s depreciation, e.g. to accusations of lack of patriotism.

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