1890
The Doll
Bolesław Prus · 1847–1912 · Poland
Originally Lalka (Polish)
Why it matters
A self-made merchant's ruinous obsession with an aristocratic woman unfolds against a Warsaw of shifting classes and stalled national ambition. Routinely named the greatest Polish novel.
At a glance
romancehistorical fictionpsychological novel
Difficulty 5/10medium pace656 pagesA long, multi-plot social panorama told in accessible realist prose throughout.
Deep dive
A self-made merchant's ruinous fixation on an aristocrat who despises his trade becomes a portrait of an entire stalled society — one that can't decide whether ability or bloodline should run it.
Where to go next
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