Description
Book SynopsisAdam Mickiewicz (1798–1855), Poland's national poet, was one of the extraordinary personalities of the age. In chronicling the events of his life—his travels, numerous loves, a troubled marriage, years spent as a member of a heterodox religious sect...
Trade ReviewThe best-researched and most readable biography of a major Romantic figure since Kenneth Johnston's 1998 book The Hidden Wordsworth, Roman Koropeckyj's Adam Mickiewicz: The Life of a Romantic covers the Polish national poet's life and works against the background of post-Napleonic Europe with scholarly sophistication, detailed accuracy, and masterful contextualization. The chapter on the years 1841–1846 is especially meticulous in its suggestive evocation of Mickiewicz's relationship with the trends and major Romantics of his time, and sets out beautifully the life and times of his reputation prior to his role in organizing the Polish legion in Italy. A model for future biographies of Romantics, Koropeckyj's work stands as a key source for future study of Polish Romanticism.
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This superb, meticulously researched, richly detailed book places the great Polish Romantic poet and patriot in the midst of European events of his time.... Koropeckyj portrays Mickiewicz (1798–1855) as a genuine human being full of Romantic thoughts and intentions yet distracted by amorous advances and his allegiance to Andrzej Towianski's schism. The flowing narrative is firmly grounded in scholarly research.... Providing vivid descriptions of historical events, political struggles, and Romantic turmoils in Europe, Koropeckyj reveals details unknown even to avid scholars of Polish literature.
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