PROBLEMS AND GENRE AND COMPOSITIONAL FEATURES OF THE NOVEL FOR YOUNG PEOPLE BY JOANNA JAGIELLO «COFFEE WITH CARDAMOM»

Abstract

The article examines Joanna Jagiełło’s novel Coffee with Cardamom as an example of contemporary foreign young adult literature that addresses pressing socio-psychological and moral-ethical issues. The study analyzes the inner world of the protagonist, Linka, who, while experiencing difficult life circumstances, embarks on a journey of self-discovery, identity search, and comprehension of essential life values.The research is based on stylistic, receptive, and structural analysis of the text, allowing the identification of the writer’s idiolect, the chronological organization of the novel, and its genre-specific features. The study reveals the stylistic syncretism of the novel, which combines elements of realism, psychological depth, and adventure literature. It is demonstrated that through the use of youth slang and dialogic form, the author achieves authenticity in portraying the worldview of contemporary teenagers.Special attention is given to themes of family relationships, orphanhood, social alienation, and first love, which are crucial for shaping the personal stance of the young audience. The article explores the similarities between Linka and the protagonist of J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye, highlighting a tendency toward nonconformism in young adult literature. Additionally, the study examines social and gender stereotypes manifested in the novel and their influence on the formation of the protagonist’s personality. Furthermore, the article analyzes the elements of detective fiction in the novel, which create a tense atmosphere and enhance intrigue, engaging the reader in the process of uncovering and interpreting hidden aspects of the plot.The findings indicate the novel’s significant educational potential and its ability to impact the emotional and social development of young readers.Ultimately, the study substantiates the relevance of the novel for literary and linguodidactic research, as well as its significance in the foreign literature curriculum. Moreover, the possibility of using the novel in interdisciplinary studies, particularly in pedagogy, sociology, and cultural studies, is noted.