JERZY KOSINKI
by William Dean
Although I never met the late Jerzy Kosinski, I was fortunate enough to correspond slightly with this enigmatic and often reclusive author. In the mid-1960s, I read his novel Painted Bird, which detailed the harrowing adventures Jerzy experienced as a young boy during and post-World War II. I am assured some of these torments and experiences must have haunted him throughout his adult life.
Over a decade later, after reading more of his books, I finally felt I had the temerity to write to him. To somehow try to express how I had enjoyed his novels, and how, like few authors, he had genuinely touched at least one enthusiatic reader with his ideas and words. He was kind enough to reply as you see above. Later on, we corresponded a bit more, but he was "a travelling man," often go far afield, sometimes in disguise, to search out...something...elusive...perhaps it was a kind of anonymity...a peace of mind...a searching, surely.
To probe the inner self is both a delight and a haunting experience for the writer. To know oneself is really to know many of the depths of the human mind and spirit and emotions. I believe Jerzy knew much of these depths of us all.
I recommend you read his books. Especially Painted Bird, Steps, Passion Play, and Being There (which was made into a film). I think you will find them...moving.
