I don't really like biographical books. It isn't my favourite type of literature, so when my friend persuaded me to read the book "Nothing usual" I was sceptical. However, after only a few pages I knew how much I had erred this time in my judgment. It isn't a typical biography. It contains fantastic memories and anecdotes from the life of a woman who was both ordinary and unusual, who maintained her self distance and distance from the world, and who smiles at the reader from every line of the book.

The author of the memories is Michał Rusinek, a master of Polish philology, employed by the Nobel laureate "for a while" to sort out the mess in her life after she was awarded the Nobel Prize. She received piles of letters, which made it impossible to open the door, and invitations which could not be refused. Szymborska thought that it was temporary chaos. A daring way to solve the problem of the constantly ringing telephone led to Michał Rusinek – who was employed only for a couple months – staying for 15 years.

"Nothing usual" is a very subjective portrait of the poetess. The author allows us to get to know the private side of the Nobel laureate: cheerful, sometimes frivolous, with a sense of humour that enabled her to survive the Nobel confusion. She acutely observed reality and she appreciated meeting ordinary people more than living in the world of famous people. She had her own weaknesses: she used to like Kentucky Fried Chicken and cigarettes, which she did not abandon until the last day of her life. Anecdotes were a way for her to deal with many things; she used to write ad-hoc limericks; to maintain contact with materiality she used to wash her dishes on her own after meeting friends; and she used to bestow her closest relatives and friends with cut-outs and collages.

Common people always imagine that getting a Nobel Prize makes you truly happy. Glory, fame, money, trips - for Szymborska all these things were unreal. I have the impression that instead of motivating her the Nobel Prize clipped her wings. She received the prize in 1994 and didn't write another poem until the year 2000. She wanted to be a writer and not a personality who is constantly invited to cultural events.

"Nothing usual" is the second book about Wisława Szymborska I have read recently. It complements the letters "Your cat has it best in life". Now I think that I understand better why the relationship between Szymborska and Filipowicz was so unusual and allowed both of them to be free and independent. Rusinek gives us to understand that a poet needs loneliness, but it is loneliness by choice and not a solitude which falls to us without our acceptance.

Biographies about people who are no longer with us lead us with every page to the moment when the hero of the book dies. This moment in "Nothing usual" is presented with great tact and respect and like the rest of the book is full of warm sentiment and words for the outstanding poetess who stayed true to herself.

The author writes well, with subtlety and humour. Though the book isn't divided into chapters and is not chronological, there is no confusion and the book has continuity and sense. It is easy to follow and every page uncovers surprises and other treats from Szymborska's life.

"Nothing usual" is an unwonted invitation to read Szymborska's poetry, which was the meaning of her life, but it is also an invitation to talk. Maybe after reading this book somebody will reach out for the poems of our Nobel laureate?

I recommend it!

Read also:
"Your cat has it best in life. The letters. Wisława Szymborska Kornel Filipowicz"
"The Miniaturist"
"The Book thief"