Polish Author Wins Gemmel Prize

rugcat · Jun 22, 2009

The David Gemmel Legend Award, which is new, was just awarded to Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2009/jun/19/1

I have to admit, I had not heard of him before, nor was I familiar with many of the nominees, for that matter. Am I simply behind the curve?

Fokker Aeroplanbau · Jun 22, 2009

Well, he is Polish; can't expect to much exposure.

Not to sound like I have something against Poles, I do love their food, but when one thinks "cultural powerhouse' one does not have a shining vision of coffee shops in Warsaw. I haven't heard of the book, that's for sure but maybe America in general could just be behind the curve; not us specifically. We all know how hard it is for books to get from France to here, or magna's from Japan to here - both of which have had long relationships with publishers State side (or especially in France's case, English speaking UK).

Poland? Not exactly a lot of Polish-US connections but if it gets an award I think they'll double time it to cross the Pond.

Fenika · Jun 22, 2009

Just because you haven't been exposed to our culture (outside the food), doesn't mean we have none, Fokker.

Me, I'm getting a copy of this book.

MattW · Jun 22, 2009

I'm glad to see someone who isn't American or Brit win a major English award for the genre.

I haven't read it, but I want to just to see.

geardrops · Jun 22, 2009

To be fair, Baha, he has a point

Our peoples are vastly ignored by western civilization, except when someone's trying to tell jokes.

It's up to you and I to fix it with our Slavic-inspired fantasy novels

Fenika · Jun 22, 2009

Fokker Aeroplanbau said:
Poland? Not exactly a lot of Polish-US connections but if it gets an award I think they'll double time it to cross the Pond.

Um, simple google search took me right to Amazon.com

http://www.amazon.com/dp/031602919X/?tag=absolutewritedm-20

Fenika · Jun 22, 2009

dempsey said:
To be fair, Baha, he has a point Our peoples are vastly ignored by western civilization, except when someone's trying to tell jokes.

It's up to you and I to fix it with our Slavic-inspired fantasy novels

And Sapkowski

But I'm up for the challenge.

And yeah, what's with this whole black hole over eastern europe thing?

MattW · Jun 22, 2009

I'm only part Polish, and my cultural awareness has been diluted by prior generations. I'm more concerned that I can't win a Gemmel prize because who would vote for yet another Pole?

Fenika · Jun 22, 2009

Might be a new trend

geardrops · Jun 22, 2009

It's hip to be Pole?

ETA: I finally moseyed over to the book. I now must find out if it has any connection to The Witcher (game made by a Polish developer).

ETA 2: Oh it totally is.

Wikipedia said:
The Witcher (from Polish: ''Wiedźmin'') is a computer role-playing game for the PC developed by CD Projekt RED STUDIO and published by CD Projekt in Poland and Atari for the rest of the world. The game is based on the book series of the same name by Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski.

Explains part of why it garnered more notice by western civ. The Witcher is a relatively known title.

Fokker Aeroplanbau · Jun 22, 2009

Bahamutchild said:
Um, simple google search took me right to Amazon.com

http://www.amazon.com/dp/031602919X/?tag=absolutewritedm-20

I don't know if I got my point across but I was generally speaking of exposure. Not so much having it on Amazon...

Hell, what can't you get on Amazon?

K_Woods · Jun 22, 2009

The main reason I've heard of this author at all is because of the PC game The Witcher (no, I haven't played it, but there was quite a bit of fuss about it some time ago. Also, Shamus Young ripped into it like nobody's business), but I think I've seen the book in question at the FLGS/pet supply/bookstore. It might have been the other one that's been translated, though.

rugcat · Jun 22, 2009

Fokker Aeroplanbau said:
Not to sound like I have something against Poles, I do love their food, but when one thinks "cultural powerhouse' one does not have a shining vision of coffee shops in Warsaw.

The idea of Poles as a boring and mentally challenged people is a fairly recent and possibly American invention.

The Poles have a long and rich history, both intellectual and cultural. Copernicus was Polish. So too was Frederic Chopin, the embodiment of romanticism in music, and one of the greats in the pantheon -- a brilliant pianist and womanizer, who tragically (and fittingly) died young.

The trope of the dashing young Polish cavalry officer was once a literary staple. Until fairly recently, the idea of a Polish joke would have simply made no sense at all.

geardrops · Jun 22, 2009

rugcat said:
The idea of Poles as a boring and mentally challenged people is a fairly recent and possibly American invention.

The Poles have a long and rich history, both intellectual and cultural. Copernicus was Polish. So too was Frederic Chopin, the embodiment of romanticism in music, and one of the greats in the pantheon -- a brilliant pianist and womanizer, who tragically (and fittingly) died young.

The trope of the dashing young Polish cavalry officer was once a literary staple. Until fairly recently, the idea of a Polish joke would have simply made no sense at all.

To be fair, Poland has had more science/math come from it than culture.

Marie Curie (nee Maria Skłodowska). Hilary Koprowski invented/discovered the vaccine for Polio. Mandelbrot, self-explanatory. Magnuski invented the walkie-talkie. Zurek, one of the current leaders in quantum theory, Polish.

Polish art/literature doesn't have nearly the same exposure as Marie Curie and Mandelbrot. Someone who doesn't care to look into it wouldn't really know.

(Though to be fair, this could be my background as an engineer shining through. These are the people we learn about. And Pope John Paul II was Polish, too.)

(ETA To clarify: I'm not saying Poland hasn't had amazing art. I'm talking about what the common westerner -- and really I should say American -- might have heard in the course of their lifetime.)

blacbird · Jun 22, 2009

One of the brightest lights in SF writing in the 20th Century (and still kicking, I believe) is Stanislaw Lem. He is Philip K. Dick minus the paranoia.

caw

BigWords · Jun 22, 2009

Fokker Aeroplanbau said:
Hell, what can't you get on Amazon?

"Companionship" of a certain type.
Nudge nudge, wink wink.

Parametric · Jun 22, 2009

It's a travesty that Abercrombie didn't win this award. I read his latest novel this weekend and was absolutely blown away.

Gray Rose · Jun 22, 2009

Yes! Yes! Yes!!!! Sapkowski!!!!!!!! He's a genius!!!

Excuse me.

But yes, he is that good and better. He is awesome.

MattW · Jun 22, 2009

Parametric said:
It's a travesty that Abercrombie didn't win this award. I read his latest novel this weekend and was absolutely blown away.

I can't judge who is more deserving - I only read 3 of the finalists.

Abercrobie > Sanderson >>> Weeks

Parametric · Jun 22, 2009

Gray Rose said:
Yes! Yes! Yes!!!! Sapkowski!!!!!!!! He's a genius!!!

Excuse me.

But yes, he is that good and better. He is awesome.

That's it. My author. Your author. Cage match. :tongue

Fenika · Jun 22, 2009

The people have spoken, Parametric

I'm ordering both of Sapkowski's books (that are readily available anyways) off amazon. Along with a few others to round out the 4 for 3.

Paichka · Jun 22, 2009

My next two WIPs are based off of eastern European and Russian mythology. Does that count?

/Pai, who is not Polish or Russian, but thinks the Russian language is the bestest.

Fenika · Jun 22, 2009

*welcomes Pai into the clan*

And if you're lucky, you'll win a Gemmel too

MattW · Jun 22, 2009

Gemmells for all of us!

Fenika · Jun 22, 2009

We need a Polish writer's forum. Or at least a slavic one. How else can we bridge the gap? Where's a mod?

Polish Author Wins Gemmel Prize

rugcat

Lost in the Fog

Fokker Aeroplanbau

Fenika

MattW

Company Man

geardrops

Good thing I like my day job

Fenika

Fenika

MattW

Company Man

Fenika

geardrops

Good thing I like my day job

Fokker Aeroplanbau

K_Woods

9 of 10 Overlords prefer Evil Pie!

rugcat

Lost in the Fog

geardrops

Good thing I like my day job

blacbird

BigWords

Geekzilla

Parametric

Gray Rose

Beware of the Thorns!

MattW

Company Man

Parametric

Fenika

Paichka

The BIC-Believer

Fenika

MattW

Company Man

Fenika