Classic Book Reader
Cover of So Runs the World

So Runs the World

by Henryk Sienkiewicz (1846–1916)

  • Free to read
  • 2 hours to read
  • 50 chapters
  • Reading level: 7th grade

"So Runs the World" by Henryk Sienkiewicz is a dramatic piece written during the late 19th century. The text introduces various characters and themes from Sienkiewicz’s earlier works, highlighting his literary prowess and the explorations of human emotions, struggles, and relationships. It suggests that the narrative may delve into the complexities of love, loss, and the human condition, drawing on historical context and philosophical reflections. The opening of "So Runs the World" sets the stage for a character analysis intertwined with Sienkiewicz's reflections on his own literary journey and the evolution of his themes. The reader encounters a blend of admiration for Sienkiewicz’s extensive body of work alongside a detailed examination of the interplay between personal experiences and societal expectations, particularly in the form of love and fidelity. The initial dialogue introduces characters such as Jadwiga and Leon, hinting at an emotional confrontation shaped by past grievances and desires. This opening portion paints a portrait of deeply felt human connections, posed against the backdrop of societal norms and personal desires, thus inviting the reader to engage with the characters on multiple levels.

Read free now No app, no sign-up. Your place is saved automatically. Or download for your e-reader ↓
  • Polish essays · Translations into English

Read the opening

Part First

HENRYK SIENKIEWICZ.

I once read a short story, in which a Slav author had all the lilies and bells in a forest bending toward each other, whispering and resounding softly the words: "Glory! Glory! Glory!" until the whole forest and then the whole world repeated the song of flowers.

Such is to-day the fate of the author of the powerful historical trilogy: "With Fire and Sword," "The Deluge" and "Pan Michael," preceded by short stories, "Lillian Morris," "Yanko the Musician," "After Bread," "Hania," "Let Us Follow Him," followed by two problem novels, "Without Dogma," and "Children of the Soil," and crowned by a masterpiece of an incomparable artistic beauty, "Quo Vadis." Eleven good books adopted from the Polish language and set into circulation are of great importance for the English-reading people—just now I am emphasizing only this—because these books are written in the most beautiful language ever written by any Polish author! Eleven books of masterly, personal, and simple prose! Eleven good books given to the circulation and received not only with admiration but with gratitude—books where there are more or less good or sincere pages, but where there is not one on which original humor, nobleness, charm, some comforting thoughts, some elevated sentiments do not shine. Some other author would perhaps have stopped after producing "Quo Vadis," without any doubt the best of Sienkiewicz's books. But Sienkiewicz looks into the future and cares more about works which he is going to write, than about those which we have already in our libraries, and he renews his talents, searching, perhaps unknowingly, for new themes and tendencies.

Keep reading So Runs the World →

Contents

Show all 50 chapters
  1. Part First
  2. Part Second
  3. Part Third
  4. Scene I
  5. Scene II
  6. Part Fourth
  7. Part Fifth
  8. Part Fifth
  9. Scene I
  10. Scene II
  11. Scene III
  12. Scene IV
  13. Scene V
  14. Scene VI
  15. Scene VII
  16. Scene II
  17. Scene III
  18. Scene IV: Jozwowicz. Prince. (A moment of silence.)
  19. Scene V
  20. Scene VI
  21. Scene VII
  22. Scene II
  23. Scene III
  24. Scene IV
  25. Scene V
  26. Scene VI
  27. Scene VII: Stella and Drahomir. (They enter from the garden.)
  28. Scene VIII
  29. Scene IX
  30. Scene X
  31. Scene XI
  32. Scene XII
  33. Scene XIII
  34. Scene XIV
  35. Scene I
  36. Scene II
  37. Scene III
  38. Scene IV
  39. Scene V
  40. Scene VII
  41. Scene VIII
  42. Scene IX
  43. Scene I
  44. Scene II
  45. Scene III
  46. Scene IV
  47. Scene V
  48. Scene VI
  49. Scene VII
  50. Scene VIII: (The door opens suddenly. Countess Miliszewska rushes in)
  51. Scene IX
  52. Scene X

Download for your e-reader

Files are provided by Project Gutenberg. On a Kindle, the simplest route is to send the EPUB with Amazon’s Send to Kindle. Downloaded copies don’t sync with your place on Classic Book Reader.

About this edition

This free edition of So Runs the World by Henryk Sienkiewicz comes from Project Gutenberg eBook #10546, released 2003-12-01. It is in the public domain in the United States, so you can read it here in full at no cost, on any phone, tablet or computer. Genre: Novels.

Summary provided by Project Gutenberg (automatically generated).

More by Henryk Sienkiewicz