Jerzy Nikodem Kosiński (1933–91,) born Józef Lewinkopf, was a controversial Polish-American novelist. His novels are celebrated as sociological studies of individuals in controlling and bureaucratic societies.
Born in a Jewish family in Łódź, Poland, Kosiński was separated from his parents at outbreak of World War II. He wandered through Poland and Russia, constantly under threat of being discovered and killed by the Nazis. He became mute and did not regain his speech until 1947. He studied history and political science at Łódź, taught sociology at the Polish Academy of Sciences, and immigrated to America in 1957, settling in New York.
Kosiński’s first novel, The Painted Bird (1965,) was a surreal account of his own horrific experiences as a Jewish child in World War II. Being There (1971) was made into a film (1979) starring Peter Sellers. His other notable works include Cockpit (1975,) Passion Play (1979,) Pinball (1982,) Blind Date (1977,) and The Hermit of 69th Street (1988.) Kosiński’s essays are collected in Passing By (1992.)
Kosiński was charged with plagiarism—critics claimed that much of his work was offshoots of prewar books that were unfamiliar to English-speaking readers. He committed suicide by asphyxiation in 1991.
James Park Sloan wrote the widely reviewed Jerzy Kosinski: A Biography (1996.)
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Jerzy Kosinski
Growth has its season. There are spring and summer, but there are also fall and winter. And then spring and summer again. As long as the roots are not severed, all is well and all be well.
—Jerzy Kosinski
Wondering Whom to Read Next?
Norman Mailer American Novelist, Journalist
Cynthia Ozick American Novelist, Essayist
William Goldman Hollywood Screenwriter
William Gaddis American Novelist
Paul Auster American Novelist, Poet
Jonathan Lethem American Novelist, Essayist
George Steiner American Culture Critic
John Irving American Novelist
Ralph Ellison American Novelist
Don DeLillo American Author