Diary

Witold Gombrowicz (1904–1969) was a Polish-born writer of novels, short stories, and plays. His works have been translated into more than thirty languages. Lillian Vallee, an instructor at Modesto Junior College, is an award-winning translator of literature from the Polish.

“Ferdydurke is certainly a spontaneous work, but the Diary is even more so, and . . . even more rewarding.”—John Bayley, New York Review of Books“Get hold of Diary. If Gombrowicz is great—and he is—that is where his greatness lies.”—John Banville, New York Times“A heroic translation. . . . English-speaking readers can finally experience the Diary as Gombrowicz intended it—as a single, coherent work . . . his major creative endeavor.”—Ruth Franklin, New Yorker“Having this book in my hands, I felt a joy at the thought that strong personalities, like that of Gombrowicz, sooner or later find recognition thanks to the sheer intensity of their existence.”—Czeslaw Milosz, New York Times“If ever a life demanded a diary, this was one.”—Paul West, Washington Post“Yale University Press by reprinting in a beautiful fat paperback an updated, complete edition of the Diaries of Witold Gombrowicz has done a singular important, essential and remarkable job.”—Thomas McGonigle, ABC of Reading“Widely considered the Polish author’s masterpiece . . . the Diary lacks for nothing: history, politics, philosophy, literature, art, music, love, death, humor, communism, Poland, Europe, writing—everything is there.”—Paris Review Daily“The new complete version of Witold Gombrowicz’s Diary is one jubilant, gruesome, unsparing self-portrait.”—Adam Thirlwell, New Statesman