HŁASKO Marek - First step in the clouds. 2nd ed. Elaborated in graph. J. Młodożeniec

HŁASKO Marek - First step in the clouds. Stories. 2nd ed. Warsaw 1957; Czytelnik. 16d, pp. 313, [2]. Booklet, wraps.
Circ. slightly dusty, otherwise very good condition. Graphic design by Jan Młodożeniec. A collection of short stories standing in opposition to the socialist-realist schemes in force in literature. Includes, among others: Two Men on the Road, Sokolowska Base, First Step in the Clouds, Lombard złudzeń, Pętla. The book was awarded the prize of the Polish Society of Book Publishers. The author became "a legendary figure of the younger generation, [...] the press called him the Eastern European James Dean" (Wikipedia). In 1958 Hlasko left Poland and "First Step" was his only book published in the country for more than a quarter of a century. "All the work still stands before Hlasko. It would be a misfortune if we had to add him to the collection of dead stars who burnish their talent for many years" (J. Blonski in "Przegl. Kulturalny", quoted in M. Fik "Polish Culture after Yalta", London 1989, p. 241). Blonski's fears turned out to be misplaced. Hlasko did not burnish his talent for too long.