Reviews

Treny: The Laments of Kochanowski (Studies in Comparative Literature) by Jan Kochanowski

cherryhoop's review against another edition

ku mojemu zdziwieniu nie zasnęłam podczas czytania

hanrochi's review against another edition

challenging emotional inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

rhonanc's review against another edition

5.0

An absolutely demolishing piece of loss and grief.

adriannaste's review

dark emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

sercem_w_ksiazkach's review against another edition

4.0

This cycle of 19 threnodes is a classic of Polish literature. Breaking the norm of elegies being one song about great heroes and dedicating as many as 19 to a 3-years-old daughter, he went down in history as the Father of Polish Literature. This is a classic required for school, what kills the joy and closes people off from finding value in it. The factors don't help - the mournful topic (father grieving after the loss of his 3-years-old daughter he projected the idea of his writing legacy on), archaic language (for us), and the references to greek mythology and philosophy.

However, I enjoyed going on this journey alongside Kochanowski. The language and metaphors are pretty, often innovative and thought-provoking. He introduced some pretty modern ideas, too, like feministic view on the harsh life of women. It definitely is something worth reading, but for those willing to read thoroughly and to understand what he has to say. Some classics are worth trying out, that's what I want to say, but go into them with view of the epoch they were created in.