Fire in the steppe /

First published in 1887, this lengthy saga completes Sienkiewicz's populist trilogy (after With Fire and Sword and The Deluge ), which Kuniczak's convincing translation brings to life for the contemporary reader. The Polish people's struggle against Cossacks, Tartars and Turks in the 1670s prefigures modern Poland's quest for nationhood in this installment of the rousing epic of love, war, adventure and madness. Basia, the gutsy, bright, determined heroine, who chases bandits on horseback, riding a man's saddle, almost steals the show from her Hamlet-like husband, Col. Pan Vol od yov ski. A master of robust, old-fashioned realism, Sienkiewicz mixes fictional characters, like his boisterous villain, the shrewd old knight Pan Zagloba, with historical figures like Jan Sobieski, the careworn Grand Hetman of Poland, nemesis of the Turks and savior of Christendom at Vienna. Sienkiewicz's fierce, larger-than-life characters unself-consciously stride across the stage of history. His portrayal of the Polish Commonwealth averting anarchy and pulling together holds a timeless message of hope. (June) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved

This novel's superb characters, plot, and themes combine for a rousing conclusion to the ``Trilogy'' series ( With Fire and Sword , LJ 3/15/91; The Deluge , LJ 12/91). Volodyovski, the ``little knight'' who courageously soldiered his way through the previous volumes, first in Skshetuski's shadow and then Kmita's, here rides forth as Poland's greatest hero. No other character in the ``Trilogy'' is so universal in his appeal, and Fire in the Steppe is his story. Like Volodyovski himself, this work champions romance through his enduring love for Basia, the impish soldier/princess. Then together these lovers command the martial stage, standing against the Turks' surging might and the Tartar Horde, standing firm on the rock of Kamyenetz in defense of Poland, church, and God. Great literature stands on such enduring themes, and in this inspiring work, Sienkiewicz taps the essence not only of a nation but of all people. In future years, his achievement and that of translator Kuniczak will never be denied. Highly recommended.-- Paul E. Hutchison, Bellefonte, Pa. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.