Wróg

Following an accident, underdog firefighter Staszek Zoll is flooded with the memories of another man: the infamous emperor Nero. His gripping and vulnerable story goes on to bridge ancient Rome and post-communist Kraków, providing universal insights into the nature of power, love and agency.

Though the novel begins with Nero’s childhood, the reader gradually discovers that the narrator is describing his past life to a psychiatrist. In custody after setting fire to a Kraków shopping centre, he explains his motivations: when he was Nero, he was forced to have his mother killed. Reborn as Zoll, he recognised her selling jewellery at the shopping centre. So as not to risk her revenge, he burned the building down.

Is he mad? Rather than directly answering this question, Orbitowski paints an empathetic picture of a seemingly unlikable, misunderstood and heartbroken character. Written as a series of monologues, the novel is propelled by his strong, down-to-earth voice, making for an approachable and humorous read studded with entertaining details. The protagonist embarks on murder plots and stork-shooting escapades, appears on national TV, attempts to make himself pregnant, and much more.

The Enemy has been well-received domestically and will captivate readers of all ages, whether interested in Poland and ancient Rome or entirely new to those worlds. A delight for anyone who enjoys historical fiction with a twist, or has ever felt that they’ve been here before in another life…