(born in 1983 in Szczytno) – part-Cracovian, part-Varsovian. One of the most popular and controversial young Polish writers. He is sometimes called the Polish Steven King or a mental grandson of Leopold Tyrmand. He studied journalism and American studies in Krakow, where he made his literary debut. He still writes novels and regular columns while living in Warsaw. He also appears on television, which probably gives him the greatest opportunity to present himself as a “pathological Pole” (his own expression).

In 2006 he made his debut with the novel Zrób mi jakąś krzywdę (Do me some harm) that has been reissued four times by now. Young Żulczyk offers in it a surprisingly mature analysis of cultural conventions and the penchant for idle consumption of the most banal culture products. The success of this debut is best confirmed by the fact that the author is not ashamed of it after ten years and many of his readers mention this novel among their favorites. Young heroes, who are defending themselves from adult life, distinct – at times black, occasionally vulgar – humour and a dangerous blurring of the borders between the real world and the one that is only imaginary, are all distinguishing elements of Żulczyk’s writing. Even though many of the psychological (alienation, unwillingness to fit in) and cultural themes (modern life’s falseness, shallowness of interpersonal relations) appear in all of his novels, the different worlds that the characters escape to from reality make each one new and interesting. In the debut it was the world of computer games and in his second novel (called “the most brutal and most honest Polish young adult novel”) the wild world of sex, drugs and rock and roll. The fantasy duology comprised of Zmorojewo (Phantomville) and Świątynia (The Temple) features Slavic mythologies and a - bloody, as the Grimm brothers tradition dictates – fairytale. The novel Instytut (The Institute) is a horror story taking part in terrified minds of people unable to leave their apartment. 2014 saw the publishing of Żulczyk’s latest novel, Ślepnąc od świateł (Blinded by the Lights), which earned the author nominations to the Paszport Polityki award and the “Gwaranacja Kultury” TVP Kultura award. Even though this book’s scenery – describing the dirty and corrupt world of Warsaw dealers and corporation employees – seems close to realism, the author still focuses on the world existing more in the characters’ heads than on the grey streets of the Polish capital.

Żulczyk, who draws more attention of the critics and regular – mostly young – readers with each book – eagerly promotes himself and his writing through social media. Facebook and comments on literary and cultural websites show that this author arouses many extreme emotions. He is rarely ignored and mostly meets with deep hate or honest admiration.

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

• Zrób mi jakąś krzywdę… czyli wszystkie gry video są o miłości, Warszawa: Lampa i Iskra Boża, 2006.
• Radio Armageddon, Warszawa: Lampa i Iskra Boża, 2008; wydanie drugie (skrócone i poprawione) Warszawa: Świat Książki, 2015.
• Instytut, Kraków: Znak, 2010; Warszawa: Świat Książki, 2016.
• Zmorojewo, Warszawa: Nasza Księgarnia, 2011.
• Świątynia, Warszawa: Nasza Księgarnia, 2011.
• ORWO. Antologia, Wrocław: Format, 2011 (współautor).
• Pożądanie. Antologia opowiadań miłosnych, zmysłowych, erotycznych i dziwnych, Warszawa: Powegraph, 2013 (współautor).
• Ślepnąc od świateł, Warszawa: Świat Książki, 2014.
• Wzgórze psów: Warszawa, Świat Książki, 2017.