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Life and Death

Henryk Sienkiewicz

153 ratings
Life and Death | Henryk Sienkiewicz

Life and Death

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Henryk Sienkiewicz won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1905, but as he wrote in Polish many English-speakers are unfamiliar with his work. This short story collection is a sampler of five myths and legends which he collected. The "Life and Death" of the title is a Hindu legend, the rest of Polish stories. All are short and together form a little taste of this great author who is too often unknown to English readers.
not an unbroken rejoicing, but that with the life thread which Brahma had mentioned they wove out two webs as it were with two faces,—on one of these was a smile; there were tears in the eyes of the other.

They went then to the throne of Vishnu and made complaint to him:

“O Lord! life is grievous through sorrow.”

“Let Love give you happiness,” said Vishnu in answer.

[Pg 7]At these words they went away quieted, for Love indeed scattered their sorrows, which, in view of the happiness given, seemed so insignificant as to be undeserving of notice.

But Love is also the mighty mother of life, hence, though the region which Vishnu ruled was enormous, it was soon insufficient for the myriads of people; soon there was not fruit enough upon trees there, nor berries enough upon bushes, nor honey enough from cliff bees.

Thereupon all the men who were wisest fell to cutting down forests for the clearing of land, for the sowing of seed, for the winning of harvests.

Thus Labor appeared among people. Soon all had to turn to it, and[Pg 8] labor became not merely the basis of life, but life itself very nearly.

But from Labor came Toil, and Toil produced Weariness.

Great throngs of people appeared before Vishnu a second time.

“O Lord!” exclaimed they, stretching their hands to him, “toil has weakened our bodies, weariness spreads through our bones, we are yearning for rest, but Life drives us always to labor.”

To this Vishnu answered:

“The great and all mighty Brahma has not allowed me to shape Life any further, but I am free to make that which will cause it to halt, and rest will come then to you.”

And Vishnu made Sleep.

Sasa 05/09/2023
Audiobook.
Some stories were better than others but overall okay
Julia 08/22/2022
A beat-around book, the plush yet worn velour of the Thalys direct train from Paris back to Amsterdam, and the mid-bloom of the surrounding countrysid ...more
Lawrence 07/27/2022
Some beautifully evocative short stories and parables from the Polish Nobel laureate.
Ksenia 04/29/2022
the first story made me cry, the last one is beautiful. the stories inbetween i find only okay.
Cat 03/27/2022
A decent short read.
Benjamin 03/22/2022
Interestingly quick read. If you have a spare 30mins on Spotify, why not?

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