Belarusian literature offers a rare and compelling perspective, shaped by centuries of resilience, folklore, and a profound connection to the land. From the timeless tales of Jan Barščeǔski, whose work “Master Zavalnya, or Belarus in Fantastical Tales” – soon available in English from Grunwald Publishing – draws readers into the mysteries and spirit of Belarusian folklore, to the philosophical and existentialist explorations of Maksim Haretski, each generation has contributed to a rich literary heritage. Yakub Kolas and Yanka Kupala, both revered as national literary figures, used poetry and prose to give voice to the Belarusian people, capturing rural life, social justice, and national pride. Authors like Uladzimir Karatkevich, through his vivid historical novels, and Vasil Bykau, with his unflinching portrayals of war, captured the strength and endurance of the Belarusian spirit, while Larisa Heniush’s poetry resonates with themes of identity, exile, and survival.
Today, contemporary authors such as Viktor Martinovich, Alhierd Bacharevič, Julija Cimafiejeva, Valzhyna Mort, Hanna Komar and others are redefining Belarusian literature with works that explore memory, identity, and the evolving complexities of Belarusian life. Their stories, rich with both tradition and innovation, confront the forces of continuity and change.
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Two Souls by Maksim Haretski, translated by Olya Ianovskaia
$19.00First published in 1919, the novel offers a vivid portrayal of class struggles and a bold critique of Bolshevism, which led to its suppression for many years. Two Souls provides a critical lens through which to view the era’s political and social dynamics.
The present translation was undertaken with meticulous effort to retain the original flow and linguistic style of the novel. Every effort was made to stay as true to the original as possible, ensuring that the nuances and depth of Maksim Haretski’s work are preserved for English-speaking readers.
This is the first translation of the novel into the English language.