Reviews

Witold Gombrowicz is a Polish novelist, essayist and playwright who observed, commented and critiqued contemporary society and the human condition. His writings are eccentric and wildly unique. Interesting to me, this story which is translated into English by Antonia Lloyd-Jones for the first time since 1939. The original version was evidently missing the ending, which was discovered in 1986 by Ludwik B. Grzeniewski, who found the final three instalments of the novel in surviving copies of Kurier Czerwony newspaper, from September 1939. The full Polish version was actually only published in 1990, so this is a new ending for the first time in English. It has since become one of the top 500 best books ever published.

The third person narrative revolves around the love affair between a young woman named Maja Ocholowska, and a tennis coach named Marian Walczak. Their love story takes place in a haunted castle, in which an insane prince lives, surrounded by an art collection. The love between these two is both sweet and romantic, while being dark and disturbing and ultimately comedic. There is doubt, fear and hate. This is a gothic possession that forces us to imagine losing our sense of being and fall victim to paranoia and insanity.

This book was interesting and I am glad that I read it because of its history. It is not for everyone, in my opinion. If you enjoy satire, comedic representation and a haunted castle, this one is for you.

libby_l96's review against another edition

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dark funny mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

rosa_eleanor's review against another edition

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5.0

Wowwww so blown away by this bizarre and entrancing book! Gothic fiction at its most self-actualised and comedic, thank you Gombrowicz

kate66's review against another edition

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4.0

A very strange tale from Witold Gombrowicz. I, like many others, have a penchant for Fitzcarraldo publications because they are rarely boring. In Possessed we have another odd tale from Eastern Europe.

Walczak/Lesczuk (he changes his name few chapters in) has been employed as a tennis coach for rising young star, Maja Ocholowska. Unfortunately the two seem to have a very strange effect on each other from the first time they meet, much to the disgust of Maja's fiance, Cholawicki (secretary to the Prince of Myslocz Castle). The strange relationship continues as both Maja and Lesczuk are drawn to the strange happenings at the castle where the Prince is going mad and Cholawicki is making it worse.

As the story continues we discover that the prince's insanity began when his son, Franio, died in the old kitchen. This old kitchen is somewhere all fear to go because of the effects of the haunted dish towel. Yes, I said dish towel. I told you it was strange.

The story then follows the odd affair between Maja and Lesczuk who seem to both attract and repel each other equally. It is only on their return to the castle that the difficulties can be resolved. But are either of them brave enough to face the spooky tea towel.

Yes it is all very tongue in cheek. All the relationships are very peculiar but the book pulls you along I an almost hypnotic trance. You spend a lot of time wondering what it all means and who Franio really is and why the Prince is so crazy.

I thoroughly enjoyed the craziness and the writing is wonderful. I'd definitely recommend it to anyone who is a Fitzcarraldo devotee or if you simply would like to read something that is way off the beaten track of normal literature.

Thanks to Netgalley and Fitzcarraldo for the advance copy.

thepoisonwoodreader's review

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mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

leniverse's review

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adventurous mysterious reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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