The world has chosen the best Polish book. This title has negative connotations for many people

Polish literature is increasingly winning the hearts of foreign readers. The international portal Goodreads has created a ranking of the best Polish books – and not through the prism of school memories, but literary delight. Which titles have turned out to be world favorites?

At first glance, it might seem that Polish literature is too rooted in the local context to gain recognition on the international stage. And yet – foreign readers are increasingly reaching for works from Poland , seeing in them something more than difficult names and exotic history. The ranking of the best Polish books , published by users of the Goodreads service, shows clearly: Poles write world-class literature . What's more, what for students is a nightmare at school, becomes a literary discovery abroad.

Woman reaching for a book / Unsplash, Christin Hume

The leader of the ranking was "The Doll" - a novel that Poles often remember with nostalgia (or a slight headache). However, for foreigners it is a pearl of European realism - romantic, melancholic, and at the same time hellishly intelligent. Prus paints a panoramic picture of 19th-century Warsaw and at the same time tells a universal story of unfulfilled love, disappointment and social change. The popularity of "The Doll" is a good sign for the producers of the new film adaptation.

Second place went to Witold Gombrowicz , an unpredictable master of irony. " Ferdydurke " is a literary ride without a handle - a deconstruction of form, identity and the absurdity of everyday life. For foreign readers, especially those fascinated by postmodernism, Gombrowicz is a phenomenon.

The podium is closed by a book that has made Polish literature an export commodity. " Blood of Elves " - the first novel in the Witcher series - takes the reader to a dark but incredibly rich universe, full of magic, moral dilemmas and political intrigue. For fans of Tolkien and Martin, it is a fresh breath of fantasy with a Slavic tinge.

It is impossible not to notice that the greatest ambassador of Polish literature in the world is Andrzej Sapkowski . In the ranking, the top ten was dominated by the creator of The Witcher . The Netflix adaptation with Henry Cavill , the record-breaking game by CD Projekt RED , as well as international editions of books have made Geralt of Rivia a pop culture icon .

1. The Doll – Boleslaw Prus

2. Ferdydurke – Witold Gombrowicz

3. The Witcher: Blood of Elves – Andrzej Sapkowski

4. Solaris – Stanislaw Lem

5. Quo Vadis – Henryk Sienkiewicz

6. Cinnamon Shops – Bruno Schulz

7. Stones for the rampart – Aleksander Kamiński

8. The Witcher: Baptism of Fire – Andrzej Sapkowski

9. The Witcher: Time of Contempt – Andrzej Sapkowski

10. Tango – Sławomir Mrożek