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368
Novel • Fiction
Poland • Second World War
2009
Adult
18+ years
A Long, Long Time Ago & Essentially True by Brigid Pasulka alternates between 1939 and 1992, with a protagonist narrating her ancestors' WWII struggles and her own post-communist journey in Poland. In 1939, Czesław and Anielica's love faces Nazi devastation, leading to their separation. In 1992, Beata, their granddaughter, grieves her grandmother and discovers her path amid Kraków's tumult. The novel explores themes of Transcending the Past, Building a Future, and Claiming an Identity. It includes incidents of antisemitism, rape, alcohol addiction, and wartime violence.
Bittersweet
Nostalgic
Melancholic
Romantic
2,376 ratings
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Brigid Pasulka's A Long Long Time Ago and Essentially True blends historical and contemporary tales in Poland, captivating with its rich, lyrical prose and vivid characters. While some found the dual narratives occasionally challenging to follow, most appreciated the imaginative storytelling and depth. This debut novel marries romance, humor, and history effectively.
Readers who cherish multi-generational sagas, historical fiction, and rich, lyrical prose will be captivated by Brigid Pasulka’s A Long Long Time Ago And Essentially True. Fans of Markus Zusak's The Book Thief and Gabriel García Márquez's One Hundred Years of Solitude will find Pasulka's novel equally enchanting and evocative.
2,376 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Beata (Baba Yaga)
The granddaughter of Czesław and Anielica, a young woman in her early twenties who navigates grief and self-discovery, eventually finding her passion in filmmaking.
Anielica Hetmański Mrozek (Nela)
Czesław's beautiful wife who remains dedicated to him during and after World War II while navigating her own personal hardships.
Irena
Beata's aunt, a sarcastic yet kind-hearted woman who rekindles her passion for painting after years of repression under communism.
Magda
Irena's daughter and Beata's cousin, a law student whose rebellious nature can be traced back to familial pressures.
Kinga
A bartender working alongside Beata and Magda, known for her aspirations to leave Poland in search of a better life.
Stash
The owner of a music club in Kraków and a trumpet player who harbors long-term feelings for Irena.
Tadeusz
Beata's first boyfriend and an amateur clarinetist who supports her filmmaking ambitions by gifting her a video camera.
Sebastian
A charming young man who frequents Stash's club, drawing attention from both Magda and Beata.
Pani Bożena
A wealthy widow who hires Beata and eventually becomes a key figure in connecting her with Czesław.
Władysław Jagiełło
Anielica’s brother who assists Czesław both in his carpentry work and in the Polish resistance efforts.
Marysia
Władysław’s wife, known for her optimistic nature, and a close companion to Anielica.
368
Novel • Fiction
Poland • Second World War
2009
Adult
18+ years
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