The Collected Prose - 1948-1998

“One of the finest and most original writers…and one of the greatest Polish writers of [the 20th] century. [Herbert] is a figure comparable to, say, T. S. Eliot or W. H. Auden.”

—Edward Hirsch, The New Yorker

Polish essayist, poet, and spiritual leader of his nation’s anti-Communist movement, the late Zbigniew Herbert is a literary giant whose writings are revered throughout Europe and the world. A companion volume to the author’s Collected Poems (Ecco 2007), Collected Prose is the only English language edition of the award-winning writer’s prose works collected in a single, beautiful, accessible volume—including in their entirety his  renowned Labyrinth on the Sea, Still Life with a Bridle, King of the Ants, and Barbarian in the Garden.

From prehistoric caves to Dutch still lifes, Herbert’s erudite and personal prose illuminates the enduring power of art in the face of history.

A Poet’s Art History: Journey with Herbert from the Lascaux caves and the temples of ancient Greece to the masterworks of Piero della Francesca and the Dutch Golden Age. Tragic Humanism: Discover how a witness to the brutal history of the 20th century seeks what is timeless and worth living for in the great art of the past. Myth Reimagined: Encounter the gods and heroes of classical mythology—from Achilles to the Minotaur—through a collection of witty, ironic, and profound philosophical parables. Erudite and Personal Prose: Experience the celebrated voice of one of Poland's literary giants, whose elegant and accessible literary essays read like a conversation with a wise and compassionate guide.