The Issa Valley (Dolina Issy), 1955

Czesław Miłosz’s Issa Valley is a semi-autobiographical novel set in early 20th-century Poland, in a region historically part of Lithuania. It follows the life of Thomas Dilbin, a young boy living with his grandparents in a rural valley. The story captures his journey from childhood to adolescence, exploring themes of identity, morality, and the impact of historical conflicts between Lithuania and Poland. Miłosz’s lyrical prose vividly portrays the natural beauty of the Issa Valley while delving into the complexities of its characters and their struggles. It’s a poignant reflection on tradition, change, and the formative experiences that shape one’s understanding of the world.

Miłosz wrote The Issa Valley in France where he lived in exile from 1951 to 1960.