The Moscow Nightingale
(Polish original title Słowik Moskiewski)
Wydawnictwo Dolnośląskie Publishing House, 2008

Copyright info: All rights belong to the author

Imagine an American journalist coming to Warsaw in 1963 at a time when the oppressive and sinister communist party was in full control. In the Poland of 1963 there was no private ownership. Independent thinking was forbidden and thus the background for this story is set for an American detective on a mission posing as a journalist. The American detective is obsessed by the movie “Casablanca,” and aspires to emulate Humphry Bogart’s film persona in real life. The story evolves and the American detective finds himself embroiled in criminal intrigue that involves Nikita Khrushchev and his secret mistress.

In addition to a wide array of fictitious characters, the story presents historical figures including Poland’s former First Secretary Gomułka, Prime Minister Cyrankiewicz and his wife Nina Andrycz, an actress; writers: Putrament and Tyrmand, and many others. A pastiche of a crime novel, the concept may have never materialized were it not for the silent and posthumous patronage of Charles Bukowski and Humphrey Bogart. Last but not least, Communism plays the perfect foil as an antagonist to decency, justice and humanity.

Humphrey Bogart and First Secretary Gomułka chatting over Russian vodka? Artistic license does have its advantages.