the experience of reading in Britain, from 1450 to 1945...

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Juliusz Slowacki : Grob Agamemnona

'Once I planned that we should spend the evening reading Slowacki, and all day I kept looking forward to it. After supper we sat as usual in the living room. I began with "Grob Agamemmona". I read it aloud, without interruption and not lifting my eyes from the book; finally, having reached the end I looked up at Conrad and felt frightened. He sat immobile, looking angry and pained; suddenly he jumped to his feet and rushed out of the room, without saying a word, or even looking at my mother or myself, like a man deeply hurt. [...] It had probably been a long time since Conrad had read that poem and he was overcome by a sudden and unexpected emotion which he could neither control nor conceal.'

Century: 1900-1945     Reader/Listener/Group: Aniela Zagorska      Print: Book

Juliusz Slowacki : [unknown]

'Polishness which I took from Mickiewicz and Slowacki. My father read "Pan Tadeusz" aloud to me and made me read it aloud. Not just once or twice. I used to prefer "Konrad Wallenrod", "Grazyna". Later I liked Slowacki better.You know why Slowacki? Il est l'âme de toute la Pologne, lui.' [Interview in Polish (and French) original text not easily available.]

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Joseph Conrad      Print: Book

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