My favourite book Author : Ola Kłosowska

The book I am describing is entitled ‘In Desert and Wilderness’ and was written by Henryk Sienkiewicz. The story takes place at the end of the 19th century in Northeast Africa. The main characters are a Polish boy, Staś Tarkowski, and his English friend, Nel Rawlison.

When Sienkiewicz started writing ‘In Desert and Wilderness’ he had already 40 years of experience in literary writing. At the beginning of the 20th century he was considered one of the most popular writers worldwide, and his novels were translated into almost 30 languages and published in a record-breaking number of copies. However, the author felt expressly exhausted and worn out. A young adult novel, as it turned out, closed his literary carrier. Therefore, it was the last ascent of the exceptional epic talent. (1846 – 1916)

‘With Fire and Sword’ (1884) ‘The Deluge’ (1886) ‘Fire in the Steppe’ (1888) ‘Without Dogma’ (1891) ‘Children of the Soil’ (1894) ‘Quo Vadis’ (1896) ‘The Teutonic Knights’ (1900) ‘On the Field of Glory’ (1906) ‘Vortices’ (1910)

Main characters: · Nel Rawlison · Stanisław Tarkowski Other characters - Kali – children’s companion - Mea – an African servant - Chamis –helped in Staś and Nel’s kidnapping - Mahdi – the leader of the Sudanese revolt - Doctor Clary – Nel’s relative - Mr Tarkowski –Staś’s father - Mr Rawlison – Nel’s father - Staś i Nel - Kali - Mea

- King – an elephant saved by Staś and Nel, - Saba – a dog accompanying the children, - giraffes, - snakes, - scorpions, - hyenas, - horses, - tsetse flies, - lions, - buffalos, - termites, - and many, many more… - King i Nel - Saba

Chapter 25 In the morning, after a terrible storm, Staś is able to catch the horses that survived. Saba, which managed to escape from lions, also returns. Staś gives the last portion of quinine to soaked Nel because he worries that after such a rough night the illness might recur. While walking along the ravine they come across a huge boulder which blocks the passage. There is an elephant in this ravine. It is going to die from starvation since it cannot get out. It is already very weakened. Nel feeds it with melons and convinces Staś to save the elephant.

In my opinion, this book: - is very interesting and engrossing, - teaches ingenuity and responsibility, - shows real friendship between Staś and Nel. Thanks to this book: - we discover new cultures and customs, - we can learn a lot about Africa, - we learn about numerous animals and plants.

I hope that the presentation of my favourite book interested you and that those of you who did not have an opportunity to read this masterpiece of Henryk Sienkiewicz will reach for it from your bookshelf or borrow it from a library. Enjoy the reading and the thrill!