Letters and drawings of Bruno Schulz

Published in 1988 by Harper & Row, this collection serves as a vital English-language window into the creative mind of Bruno Schulz, the Polish writer and artist tragically killed during the Holocaust. The volume gathers correspondence and visual works that highlight his unique aesthetic, often described as mythic and surrealist, which he developed while working as a schoolteacher in the small town of Drohobycz. By presenting his sketches alongside his personal reflections, the book offers readers a rare look at the intersection between his prose, such as The Street of Crocodiles, and the haunting, labyrinthine illustrations that mirrored his literary obsessions.

The editorial intent behind this specific compilation was to broaden the international reception of Schulz’s work, which had long been celebrated in intellectual circles for its baroque style and profound psychological depth. Designers and editors focused on maintaining the integrity of his intricate, pen-and-ink visual style, ensuring the reproduction quality honored his original vision. Upon release, the volume was well-received by critics and scholars who sought to demystify the man behind the enigmatic fiction, cementing his status as a central figure in 20th-century European literature.