Dorota Masłowska
Poland
Dorota Masłowska, author and rapper, is one of the most important voices in contemporary Polish literature. Born in Wejherowo, Poland, in 1983, she made her name at the age of 18 with her debut novel Snow White and Russian Red, which captures the attitude to life of post-communist youths in a provocative and satirical manner.
Masłowska’s texts, including several plays, reveal social fractures and contradictions with precision and humour. In doing so, they remain closely attuned to the characters – in an experimental language, in which the rapper clearly shines through. Masłowska combines pop culture and slang with various literary forms to create a distinctive aesthetic.
Her latest novel, In Paradise, is a bleak diagnosis of modern living conditions: various characters – from bankers to lonely women – navigate a world of pretence, alienation and diverging realities. Deutschlandfunk recognises her as the “Queen of Filth”, for her characters never find themselves on the sunny side of life. The taz judges: “Masłowska has developed a highly distinctive narrative style for the present day and impresses with her sense of realism.”
Im Paradies. Novel. Translated from Polish by Oliver Kühl. Roman. Rowohlt Berlin 2026
Bowie in Warschau. Novel. Translated from Polish by Oliver Kühl. Roman. Rowohlt Berlin 2022
Andere Leute. Novel. Translated from Polish by Oliver Kühl. Rowohlt Berlin 2019
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