Overview
An enlarged edition of Adam Czerniawski's selection from this innovative and idiosyncratic figure in nineteenth-century literature who is now recognized as one of Poland's finest poets. Bogdan Czaykowski's introduction outlines the qualities which lend distinction to Cyprian Kamil Norwid's unique and seemingly uninfluenced poetry, here given in accurate and lively translations. Author Biography
Cyprian Kamil Norwid: Cyprian Norwid, born in 1821 near Warsaw, was largely self-taught. He left Poland at the age of 21, moving widely around Europe – befriended by Chopin among others – before travelling to America. Persistently dogged by financial crises, he was forced to return to Paris in 1854. There he spent the rest of his life, dying in a hostel for Polish insurrection veterans in Ivry in 1883. Adam Czerniawski: Adam Czerniawski, born in Warsaw in 1934, is a poet and translator who lives in Wales. As well as translating widely from Polish he has published, both in Polish and English, collections of poetry, short stories, essays and an autobiography. He is a recipient of the Lublin University Norwid Foundation medal and a member of The Welsh Academy. Bogdan Czaykowski: Bogdan Czaykowski (b. 1932, Poland; d. 2007, Vancouver, Canada) was an eminent Polish Canadian poet, essayist, literary translator and critic. He was professor emeritus and former Dean at the University of British Columbia. He was awarded several prizes in Poland.
