Hello
Gentle Reader
The
winner of this year’s Man Booker International Prize is: Olga Tokarczuk for her
novel “Flights,” translated expertly by Jennifer Croft. In winning the Man
Booker International Prize, it can be clear that Olga Tokarczuk has solidified her
place as an established author now translated into English. This being said, Olga
Tokarczuk is no stranger to the English language, as prior to her novel “Flights,”
being translated and published, two of her previous novels were already
translated: ““Primeval and Other Times,” and “House of Day, House of Night.”
The
Man Booker International Prize judges, have praised Olga Tokarczuk as a writer
of great imagination and wit, with acute literary sensibilities. Her novel “Flights,”
is drafted on interconnected fragments and micro narratives, which weave into
each other, and sometimes remain in their own solitary orbit; but each one is
connected by the themes of travel both literary and figurative, as well as
human anatomy (and its own connection to the idea of travel). The novel has
been self-described as a “constellation,” novel, built up varying fragments and
micro narratives, to depict a grander whole. This same literary device can be
seen in “House of Day, House of Night,” and even “Primeval and Other Times,”
but “Flights,” does away with unified characters or a singular narrator as a reference
point, and instead buzzes and glows with a multitude of different voices,
narratives, stories and tales; each one shined like a individual firefly, only
to have another shine back in response. To describe “Flights,” accurately,
would be like a beehive, buzzing and dancing in a symphonious orchestration,
each one dying to tell its tale or release its narrative. It’s truly an extraordinary
mixed bag of nuts, and each narrative, essay, story, or grander novelist trope,
is a literary delight to take in. How, Olga Tokarczuk fragments the novel keeps
it fresh, exhilarating and the momentum moving. Rarely, is there a place for
the novel to dip down or move into a sluggish pace because she is bored; on the
contrary by presenting some new narrative, some new story, or by describing dissection
and the art of anatomy, she maintains relevance and interest.
Of
the longlisted and shortlisted novels for this year’s Man Booker International
Prize, Olga Tokarczuk was the only writer I had read prior to the lists. I had
strong suspicions she would be the biggest contender for the award, and would
most likely take it. However, I am well aware that the Man Booker Prize judges
are generally rather prudent and conservative in the nature, when they judge
novels, and had slight concerns over how fragmented and even slightly
postmodern Olga Tokarczuk’s novel is; not to mention the Booker Prize in
particular, does enjoy reveling in its own sense of status quo, and often seeks
to retain and maintain this perspective when choosing winners. However, in the
end she beat out previous winners: Han Kang and László Krasznahorkai.
In
the coming months and year(s) the English language is expected to be treated to
two more novels by Tokarczuk: “Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead,” and
“The Book Jacob,” which had caused controversy back in Poland, for its discussion
of the darker aspects of Poland’s history, but also Olga Tokarczuk candidly and
openly discussing these facts and matters. For this she received death threats
and blatant and vicious criticisms from far-right nationalists in Poland, who
felt her views, betrayed the country and its national points of pride.
Congratulations
are certainly in order for Olga Tokarczuk, who is by far a unique and powerful
voice on the international literary stage. Her establishment in the English language
is overdue, and to this day “Primeval and Other Times,” remains one of the most
wonderful and enjoyable books I have ever read, and secretly desire to re-read
but can never bring myself to do it again out of fear the same magic and beauty
would be lost.
Thank-you
For Reading Gentle Reader
Take
Care
And
As Always
Stay
Well Read
M.
Mary
P.S. To read my review of "Flights," follow the link below:
Flights
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