"Autokomentarz rozpisany na dwa głosy" : o rozmowach z Gustawem Herlingiem-Grudzińskim (prolegomena)

Abstract

The basis of the texts discussed in the present article is a dialogic structure, and in terms of genre, they can be classified as “talking books”, talking (prompted) diaries and – occasionally given interviews notwithstanding – they form an autonomic whole, organized self-explanatorily and focused on their goal of dialogic interaction. As can be read on the book’s back cover, its aim is “an auto-commentary by Herling-Grudziński to his oeuvre”. The author of the essay is interested in a way of perceiving Herling-Grudziński’s writing in a perspective of this monumental two-authored commentary to his oeuvre, of the questions that are being formed, and of chasing the thread of recognition which these conversations result in, that is “a manner of public thinking” in the works of the author and the publicist. The declared caution in generalizing leads authors to the form of dialogue, which is more convincing solution since it lets them to transcend subjectivity. Co-created dialogic form, accurately pinpointing the points of importance, is far more critical than memoirs-like or informative-summarizing one, and harmonizes with selfknowledge of interlocutors, their meticulous introspection, in which dimension it paves a way to the author and his work.