Description

The memoirs of the Polish writer Melchior Wańkowicz (1892–1974) had not been translated into Belarusian until now, although they are primarily of interest to the Belarusian reader.

The author is a descendant of a wealthy noble family, born in the Kalužyčy estate (now the Berezino district). From his “Puppy Years,” Belarus emerges at the turning point of historical eras — from the 1863 uprising to the Polish-Soviet War of 1920.

The book is a captivating read: it contains both lively humor and profound philosophical insights. The memoirs were published in 1934. They reflect the mindset of a person from a distant era, so there are points one might disagree with. However, the literary and historical value of the text is indisputable: Wańkowicz’s book once inspired Uładzimir Karatkievič. Thus, long before the translation, “Puppy Years” became a phenomenon of Belarusian literature.