In the Beginning Was Only the Word by Geniusz Jerzy Yurka Heniush, son of the renowned poet Larysa Heniush, died early leaving behind only one collection of stories. The writer failed to fully realize his talent. His short stories prove that he had a talent based on education, descent, the way of thinking, a talent implanted from his young age in the only child in this Belarusian family who lived in exile together with his parents and experienced life in emigration, hardships of living away from one’s homeland, restrictions on the expression of one’s thoughts, convictions and views. The Belarusian and Polish versions of the collection give readers an opportunity to familiarize themselves with the writer, get the feel of his philosophical approach to life, his perception of the world and his imagination. (N.H.)