Fediv, Ihor, Val. Zlotopoltsev

Syn Ukrainu: Istorychna povist' u trek chastynakh z iliustratsiiamy ta mapoiu [The Son of Ukraine]

Augsburg: 1946. Illustrated hardcover. Item #843

178 pages, 9 unnumbered leaves of plates: illustrations (some color) ; 25 cm. Text in Ukrainian. Second revised edition published in a Ukrainian displaced persons (DP) camp. A copy with minor wear to the cover but in very good condition internally.

"The Son of Ukraine" is a historical adventure novel co-authored by two Ukrainian writers, Ihor Fediv and Val. Zlotopoltsev (pseudonym of Valentyn Otamanovsky), inspired by Daniel Defoe's "Robinson Crusoe." Penned during Ukraine's fight for independence from 1917 to 1921, the novel stands as a testament to literature fostering patriotism and a deep affection for Ukraine.

The history of the book traces back to 1719 when Daniel Defoe's "Robinson Crusoe" was published in Great Britain, captivating readers with the tale of a sailor's solitary survival on a deserted island. This classic inspired numerous imitations, sparking the literary genre known as "robinsonades," depicting human resilience in uninhabited settings. Among these adaptations, German writers produced about forty robinsonades, including Johann Kämpfer's "New Robinson" in 1779. Fast forward to 1918, when the "Vernihora" publishing house enlisted the young Sich Riflemen Ihor Fediv to translate Kämpfer's work into Ukrainian. Finding it uninspiring amidst the Ukrainian national revolution, Fediv, along with collaborator Val. Zlotopoltsev, crafted a novel featuring a Ukrainian Robinson, injecting fresh life into the genre.

Ihor Fediv (1895—1962) was a Ukrainian writer and translator from Kolomyia. He served in World War I before emigrating, residing in Vienna, Prague, and Lviv. Fediv contributed to the "Ukrainian General Encyclopedia" and led a Ukrainian publishing house during World War II.

Val. Zlotopoltsev, born Valentyn Otamanovsky (1893—1964), was a Ukrainian writer and co-founder of the "Vernihora" publishing house. He fought in the Supportive Cossack Company of the Sich Riflemen during the battles near Kruty. Zlotopoltsev emigrated and collaborated with Ihor Fediv on the novel "Son of Ukraine," reflecting patriotic themes.

Price: $250.00