The Possessed

In "The Possessed," Witold Gombrowicz, often hailed as one of Poland’s foremost modernist writers, masterfully weaves elements of the Gothic novel into a cleverly humorous and whimsical narrative. The story follows a young tennis coach, eager to break free from the confines of his provincial life and the restrictions of his social standing. He ventures into the Polish countryside to work with Maja Ochołowska, a talented and attractive tennis player from a once-affluent family now facing hard times. However, the moment he steps into this new world, his connection with Maja spirals into a complex mix of passion and animosity. He soon finds himself enmeshed in a series of surreal events centered around a crumbling castle. Within its decaying walls, mysterious phenomena unfold, including haunted kitchen appliances, enchanted towels, scheming secretaries, and illustrious fortune-tellers, all intertwining to decide the fates of the young couple and the eccentric prince inhabiting the castle. Translated into English by Antonia Lloyd-Jones, "The Possessed" stands out as a comic tour de force, encapsulating Gombrowicz’s provocative and characteristically unconventional style, even as it parodies traditional literary forms.