Alfred Shklarsky. Biography and creativity of the writer

Novels of this writer tell about the most remote corners of the planet, inviting readers to incredible adventures with their heroes. The stories of Alfred Shklyarsky in the distant post-war years were opened to the readers by unfamiliar countries and nationalities. His books are called in the travel of both children and adults. But what is surprising, the author himself of the fascinating novels did not like to travel at all.

about the author

A writer was born in the United States on January 21, 1912 in Chicago, where his father, an activist and member of the Polish Socialist Party, was forced to emigrate in 1908. When Alfred was sixteen years old, the family returned to Poland.

Since 1928 they lived in the mother town of Wloclawek, where Alfred Shklyarsky graduated from the gymnasium. In 1932 they moved to Warsaw. Alfred entered the Academy of Political Science at the Consulate. He graduated in 1938 and received a diploma. But the war prevented him from starting his political career.

In the academy, he met his future wife Christine, with whom they were married in 1939 in the Church of St. James.

Military years

During the occupation the family stayed in Poland. In late 1939, Alfred became editor of the newspaper "New Warsaw Courier", which was published under the control of the occupiers. Under the pseudonyms Marek Smuha, Alfred Muravsky, Alfred Gruda, he publishes in the "New Courier" more than a hundred of his stories and first novels.

Alfred joined the Army of Craiova, fought against the occupiers, took part in the Warsaw Uprising of 1944. After that he moved to Krakow, and from February 1945 finally settled in Katowice.

Alfred Shklyarskiy in 1949 was sentenced to eight years in prison for publication in the newspaper "Warsaw Courier" during the years of the fascist occupation. He was accused of "actions against the Polish people". The writer defended himself.

But the court did not take into account either the participation of Alfred in the Warsaw Uprising, nor his participation in the struggle against the occupants in the ranks of the Craiova Army, where he showed courage and devotion to his country. Evidence of eyewitnesses did not help either.

In 1953 Shklyarskiy was granted amnesty and was released. After that he worked as an editor at the publishing house Śląsk until 1977. The writer died in Katowice on 09/04/1992.

Literary Activity

Debut Shklyarskogo took place at a time when Poland was occupied by fascist troops. His first novels were aimed at an adult audience: "Iron Claw" (1942), "Blood Diamonds" (1943), "The Secret of the Tomb" (1944).

In the postwar years, Alfred Szklarsky was signed by Alfred Bronsky or Fred Garland as pseudonyms. The first postwar books "The Hot Track" (1946), "The Three Sisters" (1946), "Do not Wait for Me" (1947) and Błędne ognie (1947), written under the pseudonym Alfred Bronsky, were not noticed by either readers or critics.

The discouraged writer decided to try his hand at creating works for young readers. In 1947, he wrote under the pseudonym Fred Garland novel for children "Tom in Need". In general, he possessed remarkable patience and courage. With honor the horrors of war and occupation Alfred Szklarsky suffered. The biography of this author confirms how much a person can be betrayed to his country, his readers, his beloved cause.

In 1951, the writer's books were removed from all libraries and were prohibited by censorship. But he continued to create, inviting his readers into an unfamiliar world and incredible adventures.

The book "Tom in Need" tells about a boy of Polish descent who was born in America. When he learns of the Warsaw Uprising from American newspapers, he goes to his native country on a Polish ship. But gets to Africa, where he is waiting for incredible adventures. The book was waiting for success, and the novel becomes the prototype of the series "The Adventures of Tomek Wilmowski."

Tomek and his friends

The first book of the cycle "Tomek in the Land of Kangaroo" (1957) did not bring the expected success. But at the insistence of the editor Alfred continued to work on this series, made amendments, following the advice of the publisher. The second edition won the hearts of readers. And in subsequent years there were eight more books of this cycle.

The novels intended for the youth audience, the editor persuaded Shklyarsky to sign the real name. The cycle of novels tells of the boy Tomeke, who travels around the world with his friends and finds himself in extraordinary adventures.

The hero of his books Tomek is an exemplary student, a good friend who values real friendship. A series of nine books abounds in geographical, historical and cultural facts. Written with a bit of humor and will appeal to teenagers, for whom the author created his works.

The last novel of this series, "Tomek in the Land of the Pharaohs," remained unfinished. It was published thanks to Adam Zelge, who completed it on the basis of the entries compiled by the author. The novel was released in 1994.

Native American Trilogy

In collaboration with his wife Christina, Alfred Shklarsky wrote a trilogy about the Sioux Indian tribe of North America. The cycle "The Gold of the Black Hills" describes the traditions, the religion of the indigenous population, the conflicts among the Indian tribes, and also does not ignore the undeclared war that the white people waged against the Indian tribes.

As they say, Shklyarsky's novels about the history and suffering of the indigenous peoples of America are permeated with pain, as they were written by the author who suffered the fascist occupation. The tragic history of his native country and the cruelty of the invaders left a deep impression in the soul of the author. He believed that the history of Native Americans is akin to the Polish population, which they tried to destroy and exterminate.

The only difference was that the Poles managed to survive this invasion, and the aborigines of America eventually lost their lands. Alfred Shklyarsky strongly condemned interracial conflicts and violence and always advocated peace throughout the world, not welcoming any inter-ethnic strife.

The novels of this cycle were a huge success. In them, with incredible accuracy, historical facts, the culture of the Indians, were transmitted. For the Polish readers living behind the Iron Curtain, it was just a storehouse of knowledge and discoveries. The writer drew his knowledge from books, magazines, newspapers.

The author of travel books, not fond of traveling

The writer Alfred Shklyarsky was fluent in English, German and French. He knew the Italian language well. But he did not like traveling.

The trip to Egypt, where he first went with his wife, was not entirely successful. In it, Alfred received severe poisoning and spent most of the trip on a hospital bed. Since then, he was eagerly awaiting the return from his wife's trips, from where she invariably brought exotic souvenirs and new stories.

The author's books brought him worldwide fame. He was awarded several awards, including Orle Pióro (1968) and the "Smile Order", the award given to children (1971). In addition, Shklyarsky was twice awarded by the Prime Minister for works for young readers (1973, 1987). He was a member of the Association of Polish Authors.

Shklarsky's books have been translated into Russian and Bulgarian. Unfortunately, they were not published in English. Only in Poland eleven million copies have been sold.

His novels today are very popular, despite the fact that from the day of their publication was not one decade. They still find new and new readers among adults and children.