Title: Steps
Author: Jerzy Kosiński
First published January 1, 1968
148 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780802135261 (ISBN10: 0802135269)
Rating: 3.78
Overview
Recipient of the National Book Award, Jerzy Kosiński’s Steps is a stunning literary masterpiece that delves deep into the sexual and sensual experiences of one man, woven intricately into the fabric of his life. With a classic yet contemporary style, this haunting novel captures the unsettling undercurrents of modern politics and culture, with blurred lines between oppressor and oppressed, victim and perpetrator, narcissism and anonymity.
Through his unforgettable characters, Kosiński explores an environment that seeks to control the imagination and disdains individuality, leaving readers both aroused and desensitized. Steps is an immensely provocative work that will leave an indelible mark on your psyche.
About the Author
Josef Lewinkopf, later known as Jerzy Kosiński, was born to Jewish parents in Łódź, Poland. During World War II, he lived under a false identity given to him by his father to escape persecution.
Thanks to the help of local villagers, including a priest who provided him with a forged baptismal certificate, Kosiński and his family survived the Holocaust, despite the danger of helping Jewish Poles under Nazi occupation. After the war, he stayed with his parents in Poland, later moving to Jelenia Góra, where he earned degrees in history and political science at the University of Łódź.
In 1957, Kosiński emigrated to the United States, creating a fake foundation to sponsor him, and forging letters from Polish communist authorities required for leaving the country. After taking odd jobs to support himself, he eventually graduated from Columbia University and became an American citizen in 1965.
He received grants and fellowships that allowed him to write political non-fiction and lecture at several universities.
Kosiński married twice, first to Mary Hayward Weir, whom he later fictionalized in his novel Blind Date, and then to Katherina “Kiki” von Fraunhofer. Towards the end of his life, Kosiński suffered from multiple illnesses and was accused of plagiarism by journalists.
He committed suicide in 1991, leaving behind a note that read, “I am going to put myself to sleep now for a bit longer than usual. Call it Eternity.”
Editoral Review
Steps is a novel written by Polish-American author Jerzy Kosiski, first published on January 1, 1968. Kosiski was a notable writer of the 20th century, having won numerous awards and nominations for his works, including the National Book Award for Steps in 1969.
The novel is a series of loosely connected episodes or vignettes, each depicting the experiences of the unnamed central character in various locations across the globe. It is a work of fiction, but it is often classified as a satirical exploration of the human condition.
Steps is a bleak book, both in terms of its themes and the relentlessness of its prose. Kosiski does not shy away from depicting the worst aspects of human behavior, such as violence, cruelty, and exploitation.
At the same time, he often treats his characters with a certain detachment, making them appear almost like figures in a dream or a nightmare. In terms of plot, Steps is difficult to describe succinctly.
The novel consists of 116 short, numbered sections, each of which tells a self-contained story. The protagonist is a man who, for reasons that are never fully explained, travels around the world, taking on odd jobs and encountering various people and situations.
The central character of Steps is not a traditional hero. He is often selfish and amoral, doing whatever it takes to survive and get ahead.
However, Kosiski’s writing style is highly engaging, drawing the reader in and forcing them to grapple with complex questions about what it means to be human. One of the strengths of Steps is its use of language.
Kosiski’s prose is spare and poetic, and he has a knack for crafting evocative descriptions that convey a great deal of meaning in just a few words. For example, in one section of the novel, the protagonist reflects on his life in the following manner: “I was sifting the ashes of my life, wondering how many sparks had escaped me, and how much of it had turned to smoke and wind.”
The use of imagery and symbolism is another highlight of Steps.
Throughout the novel, Kosiski employs recurring motifs such as white horses, red light, and razor blades, adding depth and complexity to the text. Despite the novel’s many strengths, there are also some weaknesses.
The lack of an overarching plot or narrative arc may be frustrating for some readers, and the disjointed structure of the novel can make it difficult to follow. Additionally, some of the more graphic and violent sections may be difficult for some readers to stomach.
Overall, Steps is a truly unique novel that challenges readers with its bleak and unconventional approach to storytelling. Highly recommended for fans of literary fiction who are looking for something different.
