In an effort to make Polish culture accessible to a larger audience, PACIM is launching its Polish Literature in English Reading Group. The Group will read across periods and genres to introduce its members to the richness of Polish literature written by Poles, living and dead, emigrants, and the children of Polish immigrants. Through this we hope you will appreciate the commonalities among the experiences as well as the uniqueness of experiences portrayed by the authors and share your perspective with other members of the Group.
The books selected for the Group will be listed on the website and will either be in print or available in “sufficient quantity” so that used copies will be purchased. With a few exceptions, the length of the books will be around 300 pages or less to make them easy for you to read in a month. For each book, we will provide a general list of questions that we will have for all books, so that you can engage with the book, the author, and the time period in which it was written, as well as specific questions. You can also bring your own questions for the group to discuss.
This brings us to participation. PACIM will have at least one copy of the book in its library, which is available on a first come, first serve basis. If you finish early, please return it so that others can enjoy. Please read the book before the discussion. We have decided to make the discussion online to maximize participation. Finally, if you have suggestions for books that fit the mission of the group, please suggest them and let us know why you think they would be a good fit!
We plan to meet on the second Wednesday of the month with some exceptions, which will be published here. The first meeting will be longer to allow us to provide an overview of the current list of works, then we will dive into the first title.
Below are the scheduled meeting dates and times (all in Central Time):
9/24/2025 7-9 pm
10/22/2025 7-8:30 pm
11/19/2025 7-8:30 pm
12/17/2025 7-8:30 pm
1/21/2026 7-8:30 pm
Here is the list for the first five sessions (through January 2026) to get you started reading. If you cannot make a discussion, please consider reading ahead for a future discussion.
September: Stanisław Lem, The Star Diaries: Further Reminiscences of Ijon Tichy , 1957, 273 pp., Satire/Scifi Short Stories, Link
An accessible introduction to Lem’s satirical style, Polish Science Fiction, and the challenges of writing around the censors. There are 12 short stories that follow the cosmic experiences of Ijon Tichy, most of which can be read in one sitting.
October: Olga Tokarczuk, The Empusium: A Health Resort Horror Story, 2022, 416pp., Hisotrical Novel, Link
The latest novel by the living Nobel Prize Winning Polish author that is fit for Halloween. This novel is set in the early 1900s and provides a modern perspective on language, culture, and gender with a spooky twist.
November: Antoni Bukoski, The Children of Strangers: Stories, 1993. 187 pp., Polish Immigrant Experience, Link
Written by a local author and son of a Polish immigrant, these stories depict the immigrant experience in the upper midwest and the challenges that the first and second generation faced in the United States as Poles and Americans.
December: Joanne Asala (ed.), Polish Folklore and Myth, 2019, 118 pp., Medieval/Folk Tales, Link
This short collection of folklore and myths is light reading before the holidays. Folklore and myths are passed down from generation to generation.
Note: December is a possible “reader’s choice” month. If you have suggestions for a book for this month let us know by October.
January: Andrzej Sapkowski, The Last Wish: Introducing the Witcher, 1993, 352 pp. Fantasy, Link
An introduction to the fantasy world of The Witcher (also a Netflix Series), this collection of seven short stories will entertain readers no matter their age or cultural heritage. Consider reading this with a young adult in your life and bring them with you and/or watching the series.
That’s it! Based on participation and your feedback, we will publish the next list in December 2025.
If you want to start learning Polish to enjoy the originals, please consider our Language Classes.
General Questions:
Here are some general questions to get you started. There is no need to answer every question, rather it is a list to help you engage with the author and the context in which they wrote.
What do we know about the author?
Who were they?
Where were/are they from in Poland?
What (else) did they write? Is this their typical genre (type of writing, such as novel, story, play)?
When was the book written and what was happening in Poland at that time?
Why did the author use this genre, represent people as they did, or chose this genre?
How would you describe their language?
Who was the translator and what else have they translated?
What is the plot or storyline of the book? (Consider the same questions as for the author, but in your own words.)
Do you have a favorite story or part of the book or quote?
What is particularly Polish about the story or book (cultural content, perspective, or nothing at all)?