White Nights

by Urszula Honek
White Nights cover
Good Books rating 4.23
Short Story Collections
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Format • £2.85–£9.49
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Paperback • £12.99
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Technical
  • ID: 4051
  • Added: 2025-10-21
  • Updated: 2025-10-21
  • ISBN: 9781949641912
  • Published: 2026-02-10
  • Formats: 11
  • Reviews: 3

White Nights by Urszula brings to life the interconnected stories of people from a remote village in southern Poland, each facing their own struggles with poverty, disappointment, and tragedy. The narratives are woven together with poetic prose, offering a universal story of ruin and hope, where characters simply ask to be seen and heard. /n/n Translated brilliantly by Kate Webster, the book captures the essence of a place seldom seen in literature, making it a poignant and unforgettable read. Each story revolves around different characters, showcasing their resilience and the brutal realities of their environment.

Reviews
Winston's Dad's Blog · Winston's Dad · 2024-05-03
refreshing 4.20

The collection is praised for its rural drama and the author's ability to transport readers to a small village where everyone knows each other. The stories are seen as a refreshing departure from urban settings.

Winston's Dad enjoys the rural setting of the stories, finding it a refreshing change from typical urban narratives. They appreciate the author's ability to create a sense of community and familiarity among the characters, making the stories feel intimate and personal. The reviewer also notes the poetic quality of the prose, which adds a layer of depth to the narrative.

Quick quotes

    For me, it ticked the box of rural drama. I love tales that take us away from city life into those little places where everyone knows one another.

    The poetic quality of the prose adds a layer of depth to the narrative, making it a truly immersive experience.

    Each story is a testament to the human spirit, showcasing the resilience and fragility of the characters.

Tony's Reading List · Tony · 2024-04-05
compelling 4.00

The book is noted for its light touch despite its dark themes, attributed to the author's poetic background. The stories are interconnected, exploring the tragedies and misfortunes of villagers in a compelling way.

Tony appreciates how the book balances dark themes with a light touch, making it an engaging read. They highlight the interconnected stories and the author's poetic prose, which brings a unique depth to the narrative. The reviewer finds the exploration of human tragedies and misfortunes both compelling and thought-provoking, making it a standout collection.

Quick quotes

    And yet, the book never feels overly dark, far from it, and that's mainly due to the writer's light touch.

    Honek is known as a poet, and that poetic sensibility shines through in her prose.

    The interconnected stories create a rich tapestry of human experiences, each one more compelling than the last.

Litro Magazine · 2024-02-12
haunting 4.50

The collection is praised for its haunting and well-drawn characters, offering a deep dive into the lives of villagers in the Beskid Mountains. The stories are interconnected, creating a rich tapestry of human experiences.

This review highlights the haunting and atmospheric nature of the stories, noting how each character is intricately drawn and deeply human. The reviewer appreciates the interconnectedness of the tales, which together paint a vivid picture of life in a rural Polish village. The collection is seen as a poignant exploration of human resilience and the various ways people cope with life's challenges.

Quick quotes

    The 13 haunting stories in White Nights feature well-drawn characters from a village in the Beskid Mountains, southern Poland.

    Each story is a testament to the human spirit, showcasing the resilience and fragility of the characters.

    Honek's prose is both poetic and earthy, bringing to life the stark beauty and harsh realities of rural life.

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