Kapuscinski: Literary Legend Hauled Over the Coals
A controversial biography published on March 1st has shaken the reputation of one of Poland's most acclaimed writers, Ryszard Kapuscinski.
Kapuscinski: Non Fiction, by noted journalist Artur Domoslawski, has had a choppy passage to publication. Distinguished publishing house Znak dropped out of their initial deal to print at the request of Alicja Kapuscinska, the writer's widow.
When a rival publishing house snapped up the tome, Mrs Kapuscinska took the matter to court. Her plea was rejected just days before the publication date.
Why all the fuss? Indeed, the author of the biography claims to have been a disciple and even friend of the late writer and explorer.
Besides accounts of Kapuscinski's extra-marital romances, the book alleges that the celebrated scribe made up some sections of his books, a charge that has dogged many esteemed travel writers.
Ryszard Kapuscinski's career took off when he became a lone foreign correspondent for the Polish Press Agency in 1964. He kept two notebooks, one for official articles, the other for his more personal musings. His subsequent books about Africa and elsewhere, such as The Soccer War and Shah of Shahs, were hailed in literary circles in Poland and beyond.
Another spectre that has dogged Kapuscinski posthumously is his recently revealed collaboration with the Communist Intelligence Services. Seemingly he was on their pay roll until the 70s.
Mrs. Kapuscinska is now trying to prevent the biography from being translated by foreign publishing houses.