The Reith Lectures
Silence Grips the Town
Jun 27, 2017
Hilary Mantel, a best-selling author renowned for her novels about Thomas Cromwell, delivers a powerful lecture on Polish writer Stanislawa Przybyszewska. She examines Przybyszewska's obsessive relationship with history, which ultimately led to her isolation and early death. Mantel poses challenging questions about the sacrifices artists make for authenticity, the complexities of historical perception, and the importance of skepticism in today's 'post-truth' landscape. Her insights bridge past and present, illuminating the struggles of embodying history in literature.
49:51
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Quick takeaways
- Stanislava Przybyszewska's obsessive dedication to her writing ultimately isolated her from the world, leading to a tragic downfall in her mental and physical health.
- The complex and strained relationship with her father significantly influenced Przybyszewska's artistic ambitions, reflecting how familial dynamics can shape a creative journey.
Deep dives
The Obsession with History
A Polish writer named Stanislava Prysybyshevska, also known as Stasha, exhibited an intense obsession with history that ultimately consumed her. Despite living in poverty and isolation, she dedicated herself to writing about the French Revolution, often at the cost of her physical and mental health. Her belief in her own genius and the quality of her work drove her to such extremes that she isolated herself from the outside world, sacrificing basic necessities such as food and warmth. This fixation revealed the dangers of allowing creative ambition to overshadow personal well-being and social connection.
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