49 pages 1 hour read

Brigid Pasulka

A Long Long Time Ago And Essentially True

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2009

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Chapters 26-36Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapter 26-28 Summary

This summary section includes Chapter 26: “All Souls,” Chapter 27: “The Soviets Will Keep You Warm,” and Chapter 28: “And the Puppy Too.”

Beata is puzzled by Tadeusz’s desire to avoid her. She finally gets him to agree to meet her, and he explains his absence by telling Beata that his family’s pawnshop isn’t doing well. With so many other mouths to feed, Tadeusz thinks he can help by enlisting in the army. This will bring some extra money to his parents. Beata is upset that he won’t even go for the audition at the cabaret although Irena is willing to arrange it for him. Tadeusz withdraws not only from his musical ambitions but also from his relationship with Beata.

The next morning, Irena wakes her niece early. It is All Souls Day, and Irena wants to visit her ex-husband’s grave. Beata is shocked that Irena asked her rather than Magda to go along. During the bus ride to the cemetery, Irena talks about her days as a crazy young painter. She fell in love with a charming man who developed an alcohol addiction. She toughed out the marriage for a decade for Magda’s sake but finally requested a divorce.

blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
Unlock IconUnlock all 49 pages of this Study Guide
Plus, gain access to 8,600+ more expert-written Study Guides.
Including features:
+ Mobile App
+ Printable PDF
+ Literary AI Tools