NEWS: MINTED PROSE SELECTS ITS TOP 10 HUNGARIAN BOOKS FROM THE PERIOD OF THE MEMORY BOOK AT THE TURN OF THE CENTURY; FIRST ONE ANNOUNCED
Minted Prose has selected its top 10 Hungarian books from the period of The Memory Book, One Woman’s Self-Discovery in the Mist of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy around the turn of the twentieth century. We will be promulgating the list one book at a time on our website and through social media. Follow Minted Prose on Twitter, Facebook, and Google+ to stay informed about our featured selections.
The turn of the twentieth century was an energetic time in literature with haunting and lyrical voices such as Miklós Bánffy, Gyula Krúdy, Margit Kaffka, Dezső Kosztolányi, Kálmán Mikszáth, and Ferenc Molnár. These authors exemplify the period. Gyula Illyés also made our list even though he was born in 1902. He published his first book in 1928. Ádám Makkai has a long and distinguished career and one of the books he edited is included. We kick the reading off with Anna Édes by Dezső Kosztolányi.
Anna Édes grows from elements of Budapest in 1919. In this story, a peasant girl is brought in as a maid to serve a haughty husband and wife who are completely self-absorbed in their lives. The wife treats Anna callously while the husband is at times indifferent and other times sympathetic. Anna becomes involved with their nephew and the sparks fly. Does Anna trust in this torrid relationship? How she survives in the chaos and pain is a gripping tale. I couldn't put this book down and I doubt you will either once you get into it!
Anna Édes and all of the other books on our Top 10 list are being read in English by Minted Prose author Linda Fischer while Minted Prose’s head of research Anikó Pintér is reading them in Hungarian. Anikó is the former librarian of the American Hungarian Library and Historical Society in NYC. We both agreed Anna Édes clearly showed how separated the classes were in those times.
“Anna was a peasant and there was no possibility to find love beyond her social status,” said Anikó. “That’s what makes her desperate and the story so riveting.”
Please join us in the conversation and let us know what you think about the books on our list either by our contact form or through Minted Prose social media channels. We look forward to hearing from you!
—Linda Fischer