Description
Book SynopsisAn autobiography unlike other literary forms shows the ego of an author. Aleksandra Ziolkowska-Boehmâs ego is delicate, fascinating, and courageous. Some fragments are almost like a movie with interesting dialog, compelling moments, and realistic characters.
Trade ReviewUsing the unique literary device of forgoing the narrative structure, Ziolkowska-Boehm instead relates memories by drifting from topic to topic highlighting the important experiences of her life. * Polish American Journal *
Ziółkowska-Boehm is a prolific writer, and it is to be hoped that she will not quit at a relatively young age. The book is a chatty autobiography that involves Poland, the United States, and dozens of famous and not-so-famous people with whom the author maintained close or not-so-close relations. A good book to read by the fireplace, with a cup of tea in hand. * The Sarmatian Review *
Aleksandra Ziolkowska Boehm, emerges in this fascinating book as a complex, questing Polish/Canadian/American individual. She draws us, like threads through a tapestry, into the contrasting worlds of both Polish and American writers, musicians, journalists and artists and gives us unique glimpses into the minds of high officials and behind the scene views of Polish and American drama. Amusing, seemingly trivial, matters are interwoven with magical moments of significant value. Aleksandra writes with moving honesty and candor about herself. She gives the reader a total sense of being right there with her—as she movingly recalls her childhood and formative years in Poland. As a student her destiny is interwoven with the great Polish writer Melchior Wańkowicz and his enlightened circle. We watch her growing and changing as she bonds with her son and beloved animals, as she travels around the planet, falls in love, marries an adventurous American and sympathetically evaluates her split worlds. Romantic, loving, strong, brilliant and intently responsive—this is Aleksandra, whose wise perceptions, struggles, failures and achievements illuminate and inspire us through this powerful and beautifully written book. -- Audrey Ronning Topping, American Publisher's 2013 Prose Award winner author
Through Aleksandra Ziolkowska-Boehm’s award-winning writings about Poles, Americans and Canadians and her personal visits, she has become an excellent ambassador for all three countries. The author's writings have motivated many Canadian citizens to rediscover their Polish roots. -- Jesse Flis, member of Canadian Parliament for fourteen years
Ziolkowska’s storytelling talents are on full display. This is more than an autobiography. Through the storyteller’s art, her talent becomes a lens for larger events, as well as her own life: from Warsaw to the Crazy Horse memorial that members of her family are carving in South Dakota, from Zbigniew Brzeziñski to Pope John Paul II. -- Bruce E. Johansen, Jacob J. Isaacson University Research Professor, communication and Native American studies, University of Nebraska at Omaha
Table of ContentsList of Photographs Preface Chapter 1: Family Chapter 2: Church Chapter 3: Garden Chapter 4: Pets Chapter 5: School Chapter 6: University - Marriage - Birth of Thomas Chapter 7: Melchior Wańkowicz Chapter 8: House on Studencka Street Chapter 9: The Writer’s Illness Chapter 10: Burial of Wańkowicz Chapter 11: Fortune teller Chapter 12: England Again Chapter 13: Apartment on Kmicica Street Chapter 14: First Book: Near Wańkowicz Chapter 15: Ship Cruise Chapter 16: Radziejowice - Professor Władysław Tatarkiewicz Chapter 17: Tomek’s School Chapter 18: Nieborów Chapter 19: Zakopane Chapter 20: Roman Rodziewicz Chapter 21: CanadaChapter 22: Return to Poland Chapter 23: Visiting the United States Chapter 24: Norman Notes and Thoughts Endnotes About the Author Index
