Not only “Konopielka”
Edward Redliński was born on May 1, 1940 in Frampol near Białystok. The future artist graduated from the Faculty of Geodesy and Cartography of the Warsaw University of Technology and the Journalism School of the University of Warsaw. Redliński made his debut with “Listami z Rabarbaru” in 1967. In this collection of short stories, he presented a realistic, harsh vision of life in the countryside from the perspective of a narrator who feels increasingly alienated. In his later works, including “Konopielka” published in 1973, irony and absurdity come to the fore. The author uses these means, among others, to tell the story of the conflict that arises as a result of the clash of civilizational progress with traditional, provincial mentality.
In the years 1984–1991 the writer lived in New York, and the reflection of his observations during his emigration can be seen, among others, in “Szczuropolaki” (later published as “Szczurojorczycy”). As the title suggests, the book tells the story of Polish emigrants crowding into a small apartment as if in a rat hole. Redliński’s texts also appeared in the book “Czar Podlasia” (Czar Podlasia), highly rated in Lubimyczytać (average rating 8.7/10), devoted to the work of photographer Wiktor Wołkow.
Edward Redliński was awarded, among others, the Kościelski Foundation Award (1974) for “Konopielka”, the Stanisław Pietak Award (three times: for “Letters from Rabarbara”, “Konopielka” and “Pustaki”), the Jarosław Iwaszkiewicz Award for lifetime achievement (2006).
Not just books
Edward Redliński also wrote screenplays, and some of his books were adapted for film. In 1972, the production “150 per hour” premiered, with a screenplay by Redliński himself and directed by Wanda Jakubowska. In 1974, the film “Awans” appeared, also with a screenplay by the writer, directed by Janusz Zaorski. The year 1982 saw the premiere of the famous “Konopielka” with Krzysztof Majchrzak and Anna Seniuk in the main roles. The film was directed and written by Witold Leszczyński (Redliński was the author of the dialogues). Since 1997, you can watch “Szczęśliwego Nowego Miasta”, a production based on “Szczuropolscy” and “Cud na Greenpointcie”. The film was directed by Janusz Zaorski, who also wrote the screenplay with Edward Redliński. In 2001, “Requiem” premiered – based on a screenplay by Redliński and directed by Leszczyński.
And what do Lubimyczytać users say regarding Edward Redliński’s work? User almos, writing regarding “Konopielka”, notes:
Like any great literature, the book can be read in many ways. Here we have an almost anthropological record of peasant customs in eastern Poland, their specific religiosity and rituals full of superstition, analogies with Reymont’s “Chłopi” come to mind. There is also a lot of great humor in the book, I laughed until I burst out laughing more than once. This is excellent peasant literature.
Piekielnie_zaczytana, in turn, appreciated “Awans”:
Redliński in great form! The village is sharply exaggerated (Taplary hides near Wydmuchów), the action moves at lightning speed: once set in motion, the pebble of progress flies through the village in an avalanche and takes over all the farms, all but one. Will progress ultimately win over philistinism, and will the villagers succumb to the magic of television, Faulkner’s literature, Pascal’s philosophy and Heisenberg’s theories, or will the deeply rooted belief in superstition, magical powers and spells cast by the healer Horpyna win? I encourage you to read it.
In turn, “Szczuropolacy” turned out to be an inspiration for user Marta on her educational path:
Many years ago, this book inspired me to write my master’s thesis on Poles in New York. The book is a comedy, as is typical of Redliński: everything is exaggerated and ridiculed, but oh so true…
Edward Redliński died on July 11, 2024.
