Syzyfowe prace (The Labors of Sisyphus in English) is an autobiographical novel by Polish author Stefan Żeromski which first appeared in the magazine Nowa Reforma [pl] in 1897.
The novel is based on the author's personal experiences as a child and adolescent in the Russian-controlled Congress Poland.
[1] The main plot shows the transformation of the protagonist Marcin Borowicz, from fascination with Russia to Polish patriotism under the influence of Andrzej Radek.
[2] The title refers to the Greek myth of Sisyphus, and portrays the attempts to indoctrinate the students as an occasionally successful, but ultimately doomed to failure, endeavor.
One of the main characters, and one of the leaders of the rebellious students is Marcin Borowicz, originally named Andrzej Radek, a farmer's son.