Jerzy Kosinski

Jerzy Kosinski was a Polish-American novelist, known for his novels 'The Painted Bird' and 'Being There'. He was born on June 14, 1933, in Poland and emigrated to the United States in the late 1950s. His works often explore themes of social alienation and human cruelty. Kosinski faced controversy over allegations of plagiarism and questions about the authenticity of his own life story. He received multiple awards for his literary work before his death on May 3, 1991.

Books

This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.

  1. 1. The Painted Bird

    "The Painted Bird" is a dark and harrowing novel set in Eastern Europe during World War II. The story follows a young, unnamed boy of unknown ethnicity who is sent by his parents to live in a remote village for safety. However, he is instead subjected to brutal violence, abuse, and superstition by the superstitious peasants. The book explores themes of survival, human cruelty, and the loss of innocence in the face of war and hatred.

  2. 2. Steps

    "Steps" is a series of loosely connected, episodic short stories that portray the life of a man who, as a child, survived World War II in Eastern Europe, and who later immigrates to the United States. The narrative is filled with scenes of violence, sexual perversion, and alienation, reflecting the protagonist's experiences in a world marked by chaos, brutality, and moral ambiguity. The protagonist's perspective shifts throughout the book, offering a complex, fragmented, and often disturbing view of human nature and society.