Jakby debiutantka. Siri Hustvedt po polsku
As If She Was a Debutante. Siri Hustvedt in Polish

Author(s): Anna Marchewka
Subject(s): Studies of Literature, Translation Studies
Published by: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Łódzkiego
Keywords: Siri Hustvedt; economy of prestige; Polish literary circulation; visibility of woman’s art and work; cultural and gender roles
Summary/Abstract: The article is an attempt to confront the ways in which Siri Hustvedt’s works have been received in Polish literary circulation. Although all of Hustvedt’s novels have been translated into Polish and published in recognizable publishing houses, only the last one, The Blazing World, nominated to The Man Booker Prize (economy of prestige is still strong) was picked up by mainstream literary criticism. The novel’s title is, of course, borrowed from a legendary book by Margaret Cavendish as Hustvedt explores the tradition built by female writers. Still, above all, Husvedt is treated as if she has never published anything else, not a piece of fiction nor science or poetry. Also, she was more often presented mainly as “the wife” (back in the day there was a rumor about “the real” author of Blindfold and her other works – supposedly Paul Auster) than an independent artist. On the one hand, therefore, there was an absence of recognition of the author and her role, on the other hand, her presence was neither full, nor accurate and built on the economy of prestige (nomination to the important award) and patriarchal pattern (she was visible only as an extension of the famous husband). Siri Hustvedt is conscious of the situation and her ability to process it and make into an artwork is perhaps one of the best such examples in contemporary literature. She is able of making not only such statements, but also asking stimulating and even provocative questions about art, work, autobiography, cultural roles and a long and fragile process of emancipation.

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