Polish literature sees rise in alternative voices: Authors

An increase in subaltern and alternative voices in contemporary Polish literature has begun to create ripples in Poland's literary landscape, say authors and publishers from that country.
A delegation of Polish authors and publishers participated in the recently concluded World Book Fair here, which was organised by the National Book Trust in association with the India Trade Promotion Organisation. Poland was the guest country at the fair this year.
Critically acclaimed Polish author Olga Tokarczuk, believes that female characters in Polish literature are often depicted either as erotic partners or as wives, daughters and mothers.
"Women are made to step into the role of wives, daughters and mothers, leaving no room for them to ask existential questions," Olga told PTI at Oxford Bookstore here.

Recounting critical reviews received by one of her books titled 'The Lost Stories', she said "It was a story about three women; daughter, mother and grandmother yet the critics called it a saga of a family, disregarding the entirety of female characters."
Till date, Polish novelist and journalist Joanna Bator said she vividly remembers the image of a mother engaged in domestic chores in the first textbook she had ever read.

"The image is still alive in my mind. The mother-like figure was pretty, docile but somehow it seemed she was nailed to the floor and immobile," Bator said.
It was only after many years that Joanna realised how sexist the image was in its portrayal of a woman as being limited a domestic creature.

"It was not even in keeping with the times when a lot of women were working and independent. Surprisingly, images of a man in the kitchen never appeared. He was always somewhere else, maybe working," she said.