Na polu chwały

by Henryk Sienkiewicz

A memorable cast of characters, ready for battle, duelling, or love in this last completed historical novel of the Nobel Prize winner.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Poland, Classics

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1906

About the author

Henryk Adam Aleksander Pius Sienkiewicz (also known as "Litwos"; May 5, 1846–November 15, 1916) was a Polish journalist and Nobel Prize-winning novelist. He was one of the most popular Polish writers at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, and received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1905 for his "outstanding merits as an epic writer."

Born into an impoverished gentry family in the Podlasie village of Wola Okrzejska, in Russian-ruled Poland, Sienkiewicz wrote historical novels set during the Rzeczpospolita (Polish Republic, or Commonwealth). His works were noted for their negative portrayal of the Teutonic Order in The Teutonic Knights (Krzyżacy), which was remarkable as a significant portion of his readership lived under German rule. Many of his novels were first serialized in newspapers, and even today are still in print. In Poland, he is best known for his historical novels "With Fire and Sword", "The Deluge", and "Fire in the Steppe" (The Trilogy) set during the 17th-century Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, while internationally he is best known for Quo Vadis, set in Nero's Rome. Quo Vadis has been filmed several times, most notably the 1951 version.

Sienkiewicz was meticulous in attempting to recreate the authenticity of historical language. In his Trilogy, for instance, he had his characters use the Polish language as he imagined it was spoken in the seventeenth century (in reality it was far more similar to 19th-century Polish than he imagined). In The Teutonic Knights, which relates to the Battle of Grunwald in 1410, he even had his characters speak a variety of medieval Polish which he recreated in part from archaic expressions then still common among the highlanders of Podhale.

In 1881, Sienkiewicz married Maria Szetkiewicz (1854-1885). They had two children, Henryk Józef (1882-1959) and Jadwiga Maria (1883–1969).

Reviews

[Topher Marsh · Rating 1 out of 5]

The reader’s experience of a novel written in one language and read in another is as much affected by the talent of the translator as it is that of the author – more so in many cases. On the Field of Glory is compromised by both. In this case the author Henryk Sienkiewicz, wrote this novel as the first book in an intended trilogy. Sienkiewicz intended this book to serve as a prelude to the real action and lay the basis of a love story. However, Sienkiewicz died before he could write the rest of the intended trilogy. So, the story is slow and, essentially, incomplete.

More problematic is the translation. Sienkiewicz is a great storyteller. His descriptions and plotting wonderful. However, he relies a lot on dialogue. In the hands of a capable novelist, the stories are enthralling. On the Field of Glory in the hands of Miroslaw Lipinski, the story is turgid and purple. Some of that fault lies with Sienkiewicz. A note at the beginning of the novel states that the translator’s intent was to “render a translation that is as true in style, spirit and content to the original as possible.” However, it has been commonly reported that Sienkiewicz had his characters use the Polish language as he imagined it was spoken in the seventeenth century, which in reality was far more similar to 19th-century Polish than he imagined. This dialogue is what bloats the narrative.

I previously read and enjoyed Sienkiewicz's In Desert and Wilderness, With Fire and Sword, The Deluge, and Fire in the Steppe. The first of these four books was translated by Miroslaw Lipinski. Lipinski also translated On the Field of Glory. I enjoyed In Desert and Wilderness immensely. Lipinski was not handicapped in translating In Desert and Wilderness by the imagined style of dialogue used by characters in In the Field of Glory. Hence, it’s a snappy read. The other three books, Sienkiewicz's Trilogy, were translated by W.S. Kuniczak, a "bilingual, Polish-born, British-trained American novelist whose passion for the Trilogy led him to suspend his own literary career, abandon his own writing, and sacrifice more than eight years to this gigantic task. Kuniczak mirrors Sienkiewicz’s imagery, recreates his language within another culture, and bridges the gaps in readers’ understanding of those distant and unknown historical events." [Thomas Napierkowski’s “Introduction to The Deluge”]

So, read Sienkiewicz's other superb novels. Skip Lipinski’s translation of Sienkiewicz's On the Field of Glory

[Steve R]

A relatively short, as far as Sienkiewicz goes, love story about a beautiful, orphaned girl, Anulka, and her long-time admirer, Yatsek, and the problems they encounter prior to the happy-ending marriage on the eve of the groom going off under the banner of John Sobieski to fight the Turks. The dastardly Pan Gideon, who intends to marry Anulka to keep his land for himself and his successors, and away from his relations from his deceased wife, manages to keep Yatsek and Anulka apart until the celebration of his betrothal to the much younger girl, when he suffers an apoplectic fit and dies.

The real stars of the story are the four Bukoyemski brothers, whose buffoonery and well-meant- faux-pas cause much mirth. The elderly and wise counsels of Father Voynovski and Pan Serapin Tsyprianovitch manage to right the wrongs done to Yatsek and Anulka in time to allow them to finally be joined in holy matrimony. There are no battle scenes at all, and the subtitle: 'A story of the time of Sobieski' is much more accurate than the 'On the Fields of Glory' title.

Riddle - what has two heads, four feet and is holy? Answer - Holy Matrimony! (told by Prelate Trovkovski when he meets with Pan Gideon prior to counselling the poor Anulka to marry her much older guardian). Finally, despite the fun the author has with the doltish Bukoyemski brothers, nothing in the six novels of Sienkiewicz I've read matches his description of Martian Krepetski, so-called the 'stump' due to the fact that he has virtually no neck, his shoulders come up to his ears, he is bow-legged and his arms reach down to his kneecaps. His hair sticks up, and he is said to have a goat's face. When he beats the heroine for refusing his advances, the Bukoyemskis wait for him by a tar pit, and after tar-and-feathering him, tie his legs under his horse and chase it to a courtyard, where people are astounded at this beast none of them has ever seen before. Later, he challenges the brothers only to lose an ear in the ensuing swordplay.

A lot of fun and a true delight to read.

[Natalia Badowska · Rating 4 out of 5]

ktoś na tiktoku polecił tę książkę słowami, że główny bohater to połączenie skrzetuskiego i bohuna. skazuję tę osobę na zanurzenie w smole, posypanie pierzem i gnanie batożkami po majdanie.
mój ulubiony bohater w Na polu chwały to incel ksiądz Woynowski i jego animalia. „każdy zwierz to też służka boży, a Zbawiciel w stajence się narodził.” PREACH!!!! generalnie powieść przyjemna i wciągająca, ale nie wybitna. polecam

[Ioana Corina Sava · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un roman cu o scriitură impecabilă, numai cum H. Sienkiewicz poate s-o scrie. Romanul uimeşte prin simplitatea personajelor, abundând în acelaşi timp de trăirile lor. Fiecare personaj este bine conturat, diferit faţă de celelelalte prezente, ceea ce le face să pară atât de reale.
Un roman care trebuie citit într-o viaţă. Păcat că nu mai apare nicio ediţie nouă. :(

[Richard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dated but solid story of Poland prior to the late 17th century invasion by the Ottomans. While this focuses on a love story, there is much about the tactics and combat of the day to be useful to the wargamer.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Never got to a battle as Sienkiewicz died before he could finish the series.

[Viel Nast · Rating 3 out of 5]

this is the last book about Polish history. it has a new cast and has the well known narrative power of all Sienkiewicz books but it lacks in creativity. maybe the writer is old now and can't afford to build a nice story. the story is a classic romance with misunderstandings in the beginning but with a happy ending. the background is the siege of Vienna by the turks and the preparations of Poland to help their allies despite their many wars and problems for nearly the past fifty years. unexpectantly the book ends before the heroes battle in the siege and enter the "field of glory'! I am not sure if this is intentional or the writer died before finishing his work but leaves the reader with a feeling of dissatisfaction and unfinished tale. There is an epilogue which describes the events of the battle and how Polish cavalry played a key role in the siege and the destruction of the ottoman army. the siege of Vienna is a major event in European history it is of the same significance of the fall of Constantinople but in the opposite direction. the muslims after many attempts to enter central and west Europe they were finally defeated and the process of decline started which was continued with the many revolutions in the Balkan region during 18th and 19th centuries and the great losses of 20th centuries which ended the ottoman empire. with the victory of Vienna europe escaped islam and remained a free region counter to eastern Europe which fell under muslim occupation for many centuries as the Iberian peninsula (although arabs contrary to turks were more educated and cultivated).
PS the great cavalry march of Polish forces with their king in front reminds me greatly of the march of Rohan... I haven't read if Tolkien had this historic event as his inspiration but for sure seem very similar.

[Socrate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Iarna din anul 1682 spre 1683 era atât de geroasă, încât nici măcar bătrânii încovoiaţi de vârstă nu-şi mai aminteau una la fel. Toamna, căzuseră ploi îndelungate, iar pe la jumătatea lui noiembrie dăduse primul îngheţ şi acoperise copacii cu o pojghiţă ca sticla. Prin păduri, chiciura se aşezase din belşug pe ramurile de pin, care se frângeau trosnind sub greutate. În primele zile din decembrie, după geruri repetate, păsăretul începuse să se adune prin sate şi târguri; până şi fiarele sălbatice părăsiseră bungetul codrilor şi se apropiaseră de aşezările oamenilor. Cu toate acestea, la sf. Damazy, cerul se înnourase şi ninsese zece zile fără întrerupere. Zăpada acoperise ţinutul cu un strat de câţiva coţi, troienind drumurile pădurii, îngrăditurile şi pe alocuri chiar ferestrele caselor. Oamenii îşi făceau drum prin nămeţi cu lopeţile, ca să ajungă la grajduri şi ocoale. În sfârşit, când ninsoarea contenise, se lăsase iarăşi un ger năprasnic, de trosneau copacii asemenea sâneţelor.Dacă aveau nevoie de lemne, ţăranii se duceau la pădure numai în grupuri mari, având grijă să nu-i prindă noaptea departe de sat. După apusul soarelui, nu mai cuteza nimeni să iasă nici în propria ogradă fără furcă sau secure, iar câinii lătrau înspăimântaţi până dimineaţa, ca de obicei când simţeau lupii.

  Într-o asemenea noapte şi pe un asemenea ger cumplit, pe şleaul din pădure înainta o caretă mare pe talpeţi de sanie, trasă de patru cai şi înconjurată de oameni. În faţă, pe o iapă voinică, mergea un slujitor cu felinarul, la drept vorbind, cu un coşuleţ de fier prins la capătul unei prăjini, în care ardeau vreascuri muiate în smoală, nu pentru a lumina drumul, fiindcă era lună, ci pentru a speria lupii. Pe capră, şedea surugiul, pe unul din caii dinainte, înşeuat, ajutorul lui, iar pe amândouă părţile caretei călăreau alţi doi slujitori înarmaţi cu trombloane şi ghioage.

[Funda Çınar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Polonyayı biraz daha yakından tanımak için iyi. Kadınların derdi hep mi aynıymış arkadaş...zor dostum zor... hep ezilmek, hep dayak, hep şiddet.
Bu arada Türklerden de sağlam bir nefret var. Türkler demiyelim de müslümanlar diyelim. Sen kalk bi zaman Avrupayı titret sonra yerle yeksan ol.. vah vah

[Dominik Golob · Rating 3 out of 5]

792

[AskNezka · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had such high hopes and expectations for this book, as I LOVED Sienkiewicz's QUO VADIS? and am intrigued about the 1683 battle of Vienna and the forces of Polish king Jan Sobieski III. While the love story between the two main characters has its touching moments, and there is a portrait created of rural and noble Polish life, this novel is a disappointment as the narrative and structure are quite simplistic and the character development is just not as well done as in QUO VADIS? This apparently was Sienkiewicz's last published book and I read somewhere that it may have been the beginning of yet another of his historical fiction trilogies, but I must admit I am thankful he did not continue it. The historical epilogue is very interesting and gives an account of the battle, but I will need to look elsewhere for more on this subject and story.

[Traci]

Just enjoying some Polish lit in translation before a trip to Cracow...

[Filip · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sienkiewicz nie zawodzi.
Warto przeczytać dla samego słowa.
Aczkolwiek nie jest to jego najlepsza książka.