SAUL is the story of a young man, Tomasz (Tom), who abandons
his studies to pick up a job as a forestry worker in Bieszczady, a remote,
sparsely populated corner of Poland. He escapes to this wild place far from
the city hustle and bustle to think over the future steps in his life.
An ancient holy icon also finds its way to this place,
having passed through the ages and carrying a deep symbolic, religious message.
Tom's and the icon’s paths intersect, which causes the hero to be drawn into
events going beyond his experiences and understanding. This becomes the source
of his spiritual awakening and intellectual enlightenment, but not before he is
put through ordeals and dramas.
Tom’s encounter with the thinker and poet, Edward, is a
source of the hero’s internal turbulence. Edward comes to Bieszczady to find
solace to his metaphysical restlessness, which, alas, despite the peace and
harmony of nature is not granted to him in the end. Before departing, he shares
with Tom his profound insights, which contributes the hero’s transformation.
Tom’s other fateful acquaintance in Bieszczady is Józef, the “fallen
Jew”, who owes his nickname both to his ethnicity and an unfortunate
incident. Józef teaches in the local primary school, having escaped into Bieszczady
from his disturbing post-traumatic, psychological problems. He assists the hero
in deciphering the shocking message of the icon, but his own secret becomes an
even bigger surprise.
Under SAUL’s surficial currents, rich in colourful characters,
original dialogues, humour and romance, on a deeper level, SAUL touches on fundamental
problem of Christianity and existential questions. The mid-1980s, a time of
deep economic crisis in Poland, anticipating the political crisis and collapse
of communism, forms an interesting background of the novel.
The author, Robert Panasiewicz, was born in Poland in 1963
and migrated to Australia in 1991. A geologist by original trade, with a degree
from the University of Mining and Metallurgy in Kraków, he is currently
professionally involved in matters related to finance and government policy as
an employee of the Government of Western Australia. He lives with his wife and
daughter in Perth, Western Australia. His interest in literature dates to early
childhood, but he made his first attempts at writing during his studies in
Kraków. SAUL is his debut, published by the Polish Australian Cultural
Association in 2004. The novel is currently out of print.
The cover of the book uses "Impresja
Bieszczadzka" (Bieszczady Impression) by Karol Paluszak.
Novel's locality map
Gallery of author's geographic inspirations
Icon's archetype
Novel's locality map
Gallery of author's geographic inspirations
Icon's archetype
