Pauls Bankovskis

Writer and journalist Pauls Bankovskis (1973 - 2020) was born in Līgatne, Latvia. He studied glass art at the Riga School for Applied Arts and philosophy at the University of Latvia (1992–1996). His prose was first published in 1993, and a prolific author, he has published novels, several collections of short stories, books and works of non-fiction and film scripts. His focus shifted from Latvian history, its myths, and legends to the realities of the recent Soviet past and the possibilities of the future. In 2007 Pauls Bankovskis published his first children’s book, Mazgalvīši spēlē mājās [The Tiny-Noggins’ Play House] which was awarded the International Jānis Baltvilks Prize. Bankovskis' works have been translated into German, Czech, Finnish and English. His novel 18, published within a series of historical novels We. Latvia. The 20th Century, discusses 1918, the year the Republic of Latvia was declared, was shortlisted for the Annual Latvian Literature Award 2015. 

Novels
Pasaules vēsture [The History of the World]. Riga: Dienas Grāmata, 2020.
18. Riga: Dienas Grāmata, 2014.
Drēbes jeb Ādama tērps [Clothes, or Adam's Attire]. Riga: Jānis Roze, 2006.
Ofšors [Offshore]. Riga: Valters un Rapa, 2006.
Eiroremonts [European-style Remodeling]. Riga: Valters un Rapa, 2005.
Sekreti [Secrets]. Riga: Valters un Rapa, 2002.
Čeka, bumba & rokenrols [Cheka, Bombs and Rock 'N Roll]. Riga: Valters un Rapa, 2002.
Misters Latvija [Mister Latvia]. Rīga: Karogs, 2002.
Padomju Latvijas sieviete [The Soviet Latvian Woman]. Riga: Enigma, 2000.
Plāns ledus [Thin Ice]. Riga: Jumava, 1999.
Laiku grāmata [The Book of Chronicles]. Riga: Karogs, 1997.

Collections of stories
Trakie veči [Mad Guys]. Riga: Dienas Grāmata, 2016.
Es neko neatceros. Par lietu dabu [I Remember Nothing. About the Nature of Things]. Riga: Dienas Grāmata, 2013.
Zvēru zvaigznājs [Zodiac of Animals]. Riga: Dienas Grāmata, 2012.
Skola [School] Riga: Valters un Rapa, 2006.
Labais vienmēr uzvar [Good Will Always Prevail]. Riga: Atēna, 2002.
Svētā Bokasīna koks [St Bokasine's Tree]. Riga: Preses nams, 1996.

Documentary prose
Viens ar Kantu. Otto Rolava dzīve [Alone with Kant. The Life of Otto Rolavs]. Riga: Dienas grāmata, 2012.

Children's literature
Kur pazuda saimnieks?: stāsti par mūsu vēsturi. [Stories About Our History] Rīga: Liels un mazs, 2017.
Zvēri man! [Animals for Me!] Riga: Atvērt šeit!, 2010.
Mazgalvīši spēlē mājās [The Tiny-Noggins’ Play House]. Riga: Liels un mazs, 2007

Latvian writers novels and books from Latvia // Alles over boek en enschrijvers, October 2024 [NL]

Excerpt from History of the World // Online magazine Satori, 2020 [LV]

About History of the World // Online magazine Satori, 2020 [LV]

Interview with Pauls Bankovskis // Diena.lv, 2014 [LV]

Interview with Pauls Bankovskis // Diena.lv, 2008 [LV]

Ieva Melgalve, Rakstnieka varā, review of The History of the World // Online magazine Satori, 2020 [LV]

Jūlija Dibovska, Visu ājumu ājums, review of The History of the World // Online magazine Punctum, 2020 [LV]

Review of 18 // World Translations Review, 2019 [EN]

Jonathan Levi, review of 18 // European Literature Network, 2018 [EN]

Review of 18 // Anna Book Bel blog, 2018 [EN]

Santa Remere, Vēstures krikumi un pārpalikumi, review of Stories About Our History // Online magazine Satori, 2017 [LV]

Andrejs Vīksna, Kā garšo Bankovska roka?, review of Mad Guys // Online magazine Satori, 2016 [LV]

Ilze Jansone, Brīvība cauri laikiem, review of 18 // Online magazine Punctum, 2014 [LV]

Justīne Janpaules, Ārpus dzīves, review of I Remember Nothing. About the Nature of Things // Online magazine Satori, 2014 [LV]

Toms Treibergs, Nenosakāmo sajūtu noteikšana, review of  I Remember Nothing. About the Nature of Things // Online magazine Satori, 2014 [LV]

Helmuts Caune, Kļūda metērijā, review of I Remember Nothing. About the Nature of Things // Diena.lv, 2014 [LV]

Ieva Kolmane, Zvēru spēles, review of Zodiac of Animals // Diena.lv, 2012 [LV]

Inga Ābele, Mazgalvīši spēlē mājās, review of The Tiny-Noggins’ Play House // Diena.lv, 2008 [LV]

2015, shortlisted for the Annual Latvian Literature Award for 18

2008, International Jānis Baltvilks Prize for The Tiny-Noggins' Play House