Bacacay

by Witold Gombrowicz

Genres: Fairy Tales, Folk Tales, Legends & Mythology; Literary Fiction; Short Stories

Synopsis

A balloonist finds himself set upon by erotic lepers…a passenger on a ship notices a human eye on the deck…a group of aristocrats enjoy a vegetarian dish made from human flesh…a virginal young girl gnaws raw meat from a bone…a notorious ruffian is terrorized by a rat. Welcome to the bizarre universe of Witold Gombrowicz, whose legendary short story collection is presented here for the first time in English. These tales, hilarious, disturbing, and brilliantly written, are utterly unique in world literature. After reading them, you’ll never be the same.

Release date: March 22, 2011

Publisher: Archipelago

Print pages: 275

Sample

Lawyer Kraykowski’s Dancer

I was on my way to see the operetta "The Gypsy Princess" for the thirty-fourth time —and, since it was late, I bypassed the line and went straight to the lady at the ticket window: "My dear madam, please just quickly give me my usual, in the balcony"—when sud- denly someone took hold of me from behind, and coldly—yes, coldly —dragged me away from the window and pushed me back to my proper place, i.e. the end of the line. My heart began pound- ing, I was short of breath—is it not a murderous thing when a person is suddenly taken by the collar in a public spot?—but I looked around: He was a tall, vigorous, fragrant individual with a short, trimmed mustache. He was conversing with two fashion- ably dressed ladies and one gentleman, and checking the tickets he had just bought.

They all looked at me —and I had to say something.

"Was it you who did me the honor?" I asked in a tone that might have been ironic, perhaps even sinister, but since I suddenly came over weak, I said it too quietly.