Bartek Sankari

About this book

"Bartek Sankari" by Henryk Sienkiewicz is a historical novel written in the late 19th century. The story revolves around the protagonist, Bartek Slovik, a simple peasant from the village of Pognembin, who finds himself drafted into the army during a war against France. As he leaves behind his pregnant wife, Magda, and their two-year-old son, Bartek grapples with the fear and uncertainty that accompany the onset of war. At the start of the novel, Bartek is introduced with various nicknames, most notably "Bartek Korppisilmä" (Bartek the Crow-Eyed), and is depicted as a humble man content with his life on the farm. However, the call to war disrupts his tranquil existence. The opening vividly details the emotional farewells in Pognembin, where the entire village is mobilized, revealing the collective dread and resignation to fate. Following his departure, Bartek's experiences during the tumultuous journey towards war set the stage for his transformation from a fearful peasant into a soldier, ultimately entangled in the complexities of loyalty, honor, and the harsh realities of combat.