Tomasz Jedrowski

A beautifully written, almost poetic book. Though the story itself has not much going on, it was never boring and the first half of the book had my favourite writing so far this year.
I'll be looking for more books like this as I feel like a lot of contemporary or fiction novels in general that I have found so far have a stream of consciousness form of narration with a detached tone, Sally Rooney, Naoise Dolan etc. While I enjoyed those books, I also appreciate beautiful and emotive narration. The good old fashioned reader in me misses it a lot.
Really enjoyed this wonderful book, it discusses the narrator coming to terms with his sexuality with a country that is struggling to find an identity of its own in the background.… (més)

I absolutely loved this book both as a gay man and someone who has Polish (from my Dad's mother's side, mostly from Podlaskie Voivodeship). I loved how Tomasz Jedrowski made you feel Ludwik's emotions from erotic lust, jealousy, and political anger.

However, having Polish, this novel made me re-realize how much the Polish fought to keep there culture alive from occupations, genocide, and authoritarian dictatorships. I also hope, gays in Poland, now, know of this novel and see there is hope for them because it makes me angry where Poland, politically, is going.

I recommend this book to anyone who wants to read a good gay male romance along with cold war and Polish history. Keep in mind this is a non-linear novel so the plot keeps going back to flashbacks. As well as, keeping in mind, the narrator, Ludwik, is talking to Janusz.… (més)