The Greatest Polish Literature
This selection of thirty-three great works of Polish literature encompasses all literary forms, genres and periods. It includes works acclaimed by readers, writers, critics and scholars in Poland and around the world.
The Greatest Polish Literature focuses on major creative works—such as novels, novellas, plays, epic poetry and collections—although some short or nonfiction writing of literary significance may also be considered.
The list is continually updated as new works are discovered and appreciation of older works evolves. Please note the current revision date when citing the list.
Latest update: March 17, 2025
1543
On the Revolutions of the Celestial Spheres
by Nicolaus Copernicus, Poland
Science, originally De revolutionibus orbium coelestium
1779
Fables and Parables
by Ignacy Krasicki, Poland
Poetry collection
1805–1847
The Manuscript Found in Saragossa
by Jan Potocki, Poland
Story collection, originally Manuscrit trouvé à Saragosse
1834
Master Thaddeus
by Adam Mickiewicz, Poland
Epic poem
1884
With Fire and Sword
by Henryk Sienkiewicz, Poland
Novel
1890
The Doll
by Bolesław Prus, Poland
Novel
1894
The New Woman
by Bolesław Prus, Poland
Novel
1895–1896
Quo Vadis
by Henryk Sienkiewicz, Poland
Novel
1897
Pharoah
by Bolesław Prus, Poland
Novel
1901
The Wedding
by Stanislaw Wyspianski, Poland
Play
1904–1909
The Peasants
by Wladyslaw Stanislaw Reymont, Poland
Novel
1930–1943
The Man Without Qualities
by Robert Musil, Austria
Novel
1934
The Street of Crocodiles
by Bruno Schulz, Poland
Story collection, also known as The Cinnamon Shops, originally Sklepy cynamonowe
1937
Ferdydurke
by Witold Gombrowicz, Poland
Novel
Sanatorium Under the Sign of the Hour-Glass
by Bruno Schulz, Poland
Novel
1944
Stormy Isles—An Azorean Tale
by Vitorino Nemésio, Poland
Novel, originally Mau Tempo no Canal
1948
Ashes and Diamonds
by Jerzy Andrzejewski, Poland
Novel
This Way for the Gas Ladies and Gentlemen
by Tadeusz Borowski, Poland
Story collection
1953
Trans-Atlantyk
by Witold Gombrowicz, Poland
Novel
The Captive Mind
by Czesław Miłosz, Poland
Nonfiction
1957
Bacacay
by Witold Gombrowicz, Poland
Story collection
1961
Solaris
by Stanislaw Lem, Poland
Novel
1971
The Futurological Congress
by Stanislaw Lem, Poland
Novel, subtitled From the Memoirs of Ijon Tichy
1990–2013
The Witcher Saga
by Andrzej Sapkowski, Poland
Novels and story series includes The Witcher, Sword of Destiny, The Last Wish, Blood of Elves, Time of Contempt and others.
1993
Imperium
by Ryszard Kapuściński, Poland
Novel
Imperium
by Andrzej Sapkowski, Poland
Story collection
1996
View with a Grain of Sand: Selected Poems
by Wisława Szymborska, Poland
Poetry collection
1999–2022
Inspector Mock series
by Marek Krajewski, Poland
Novel series
2004
New and Collected Poems: 1931–2001
Czesław Miłosz, Poland
Poetry collection
2007
Selected Poems
by Zbigniew Herbert, Poland
Poetry collection
Flights
by Olga Tokarczuk, Poland
Novel
Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead
by Olga Tokarczuk, Poland
Novel
2014
The Books of Jacob
by Olga Tokarczuk, Poland
Novel
