No other novel has brought to life Brussels in all its glory as the European Union’s cosmopolitan capital⎯and, here, a leading Polish author tells the story of a husband and wife who navigate their way not only around their new home but also through the power struggles of their own relationship.

“Plebanek’s crisp and intelligent new novel is full of pitch-perfect descriptions, mostly but not exclusively about sex, and its contemplation... . A merciless comedy of modern manners, and the politics of desire.” —Publishers Weekly

LITERARY FICTION | August 13, 2013 | 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 | 256 pp | trade paper | $14.95 | 9780985062361 | eBook available | US only

PRAISE

“Fascinating... . [E]xposes what can happen when the tables are turned in an ego-driven marriage, and a husband plays a secondary role next to a successful wife.” —Foreword Reviews

“Grażyna Plebanek’s tantalising Illegal Liaisons breaks down barriers with its thrilling descriptions of sex and acute observations of life in Brussels where the author resides. A father, husband and a writer caught in a relationship with two women. Need I say more?” —Litro Magazine

ABOUT THE BOOK

A passionate novel of unstoppable physical obsession amongst a group of Brussels eurocrats, Illegal Liaisons offers a fascinating insight into the first Polish generation that is truly ‘free’, but struggle to know where the boundaries of that freedom lie. Plebanek’s characters have to negotiate between the old-fashioned devout Catholicism they grew up with, and the modern way of living they are desperate to embrace. Watch them as they try to claim their rightful place within the international crowd in the big world that turns out to be really rather small. Expect the upending of stereotypes, libidos run wild, graphic eroticisim, and, ultimately, the soul searching and hard realities.

VIEW THE TRAILER

Grazyna Plebanek on the inspiration for Illegal Liaisons:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyWISoGQzRY&list=PLxMABARPIU9LsYTneODpq6Hnja27-PNAM 

Grazyna Plebanek and writing about sex: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lY9avvgTeeE&list=PLxMABARPIU9LsYTneODpq6Hnja27-PNAM&index=2

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Grazyna Plebanek is a highly acclaimed and bestselling author in Poland. Plebanek's latest novel, Illegal Liaisons, is her first novel to be translated into English. In 2011 Plebanek was awarded the Literary Prize Zlote Sowy for her contribution to promoting Poland abroad. She lives in Brussels, Belgium.