This would be four and a half stars if such a thing existed. Very moving, very good characterization, and a completely immersive reading experience. In many ways this book is stronger than others in the same genre, the choices these characters make seem all too realistic and understandable, but the story is no less poignant for it. ( )

The poetry of the love story between two boys in communist Poland is an enveloping reading experience. The use of language is heavenly. When you lines like this on the page, “ a strong neck with a place made out for his Adam’s apple” or “ I felt a dull reproach against myself, an alienation from my twenty-two-year old body” ,you can’t help but fall under the spell of the writing. ( )

1980 in Warschau. Ludwik und Janusz lernen sich bei einem Ernteeinsatz kennen und machen anschließend gemeinsam eine Zelttour. Ludwik ist lange schon einsam, die Mutter zu früh verstorben, einen Vater gibt es nicht. Sein Kindheitsfreund war Jude und seine Familie wanderte aufgrund von Repressalien nach Israel aus. Natürlich hat Ludwik Freude, er hat seine geliebte Oma, er hat eine liebe Vermieterin, er hat die wunderbare Karolina. Und nun hat er Janusz, mit dem er im nächtlichen See schwimmt und den er liebt. Doch Janusz weiß, dass man ohne Opportunismus in Polen zu nichts kommt. Und so liebt Ludwik zwar, wird aber immer einsamer.
Ich glaube, dass das Buch im Westen als interne Darstellung einer Zeit gelesen wird, über die man wenig Internes weiß. ich kann mich noch erinnern, als das Kriegsrecht in Polen verhängt wurde, was für ein Schock das war. Und ich kenne Polen, die hier in Deutschland leben. Aber eine solche Schilderung kenne ich nicht. In Polen selbst wird diese Geschichte vielleicht anders wahrgenommen. Das Buch ist mitreißend traurig. ( )

A beautifully written, almost poetic book. Though the story itself has not much going on, it was never boring and the first half of the book had my favourite writing so far this year.
I'll be looking for more books like this as I feel like a lot of contemporary or fiction novels in general that I have found so far have a stream of consciousness form of narration with a detached tone, Sally Rooney, Naoise Dolan etc. While I enjoyed those books, I also appreciate beautiful and emotive narration. The good old fashioned reader in me misses it a lot.
Really enjoyed this wonderful book, it discusses the narrator coming to terms with his sexuality with a country that is struggling to find an identity of its own in the background. ( )

I absolutely loved this book both as a gay man and someone who has Polish (from my Dad's mother's side, mostly from Podlaskie Voivodeship). I loved how Tomasz Jedrowski made you feel Ludwik's emotions from erotic lust, jealousy, and political anger.

However, having Polish, this novel made me re-realize how much the Polish fought to keep there culture alive from occupations, genocide, and authoritarian dictatorships. I also hope, gays in Poland, now, know of this novel and see there is hope for them because it makes me angry where Poland, politically, is going.

I recommend this book to anyone who wants to read a good gay male romance along with cold war and Polish history. Keep in mind this is a non-linear novel so the plot keeps going back to flashbacks. As well as, keeping in mind, the narrator, Ludwik, is talking to Janusz. ( )