Vyhľadávanie
A non-traditional portrait of a great bard, one of Slovakia’s most important poets from the turn of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, Pavol Országh Hviezdoslav (1849-1921), told from the perspective of his wife Ilona Nováková (1856-1932). As she was never mentioned in his writing and their marriage was childless, Ilona had disappeared from history. However, she was an educated woman from an affluent family, married to a great poet. What were her dreams and aspirations? Was she satisfied with the only role assigned to her – to be a wife? The author tells the story of an ordinary, conventional life of the talented and modest Ilona and her valiant attempts to find happiness in whatever life has to offer. Juráňová frames her story within the conventions of feminist theory, deconstructing the genius myth and exploring a broader range of circumstances, impulses and bonds. She poses the question of what is more important: to be a good wife and a supportive partner or to live an exceptional life? Is a happy marriage more important than composing a volume of poetry? My Life with Hviezdoslav is a subtle, touching and provocative book.
