BOOK ABOUT LUXURY IN COMMUNIST POLAND BY ALEKSANDRA BOĆKOWSKA, 2ND EDITION

In a country where people huddled in small apartments and store shelves emptied year after year, the word luxury took on a specific meaning. It was not available to everyone, creating divisions between equals and more equal. Aleksandra Boćkowska, like a detective, tracked down traces of what was considered luxurious in communist Poland, conducting numerous conversations and seeking contacts. Luxury in communist Poland is a story full of paradoxes and contrasts.

• Fascinating reportage about life in communist Poland
• Numerous conversations with various social groups
• Fascinating history of an important part of Polish life before 1989
• Unique perspective on the definition of luxury at that time
• Colorful story about a bygone era

In her book, Boćkowska takes us through the world of luxury at that time, which took various forms. It could be a sirloin, Swedish nails, jeans from Pewex, a telephone that you waited years for, or a Western car. Luxury was also freedom and a sense of security. The author spoke with sailors, hotel directors, private entrepreneurs and party secretaries to bring us closer to the realities of those times.

This book is a fascinating reportage about what most Poles could only dream of. It is a fascinating story of a very important part of Polish life before 1989. The author moves with grace between Gdynia, Zakopane and Warsaw's Saska Kępa, demonstrating an extraordinary talent for finding fascinating topics and interlocutors. The result is a colorful and at the same time authentic book.

Prof. Jerzy Kochanowski emphasizes that Boćkowska, avoiding a sentimental tone and dealing with stereotypes, shows the entire palette of luxurious shades of the past era. This book is not only a story about material goods, but also about the desires, aspirations and strategies that Poles developed to achieve an adequate standard of living in difficult times.

The edition contains 328 pages, format 13.3x21.5 cm. Year of publication: 2017, paperback. Publisher Czarne.