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Gold in the Mud: A Hungarian Peasant Novel
About Gold in the Mud (Sárarany, 1910)Torn between the torpid bliss of his home life and a seething quest for prosperity, Dani Turi, the peasant Don Juan and leader of Kiskara village, follows his urge to break the bonds of his low social status, only to find his path barred by the aristocratic landowners bent on maintaining their centuries-long hold on the reins of power. Zsigmond Móricz (1879-1942), one of Hungary’s greatest novelists and the first to portray the peasant classes with full regard for their human aspirations, reveals in this riveting narrative his mastery in drawing complex characters and evoking the unique atmosphere of rural Hungary.
352 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
November 13, 2024
Dani Turi, a peasant with pockets deeper than his plow, embarks on a quixotic quest to swap his muddy boots for the polished shoes of a landowner. Turi's relentless pursuit of prosperity is a high-stakes game of social leapfrog, as he attempts to vault over the aristocratic landowners who rule rural Hungary with an iron fist and a velvet glove.
Navigating the treacherous terrain of social mobility, Turi encounters more hurdles than an Olympic track event. His journey is a veritable obstacle course of personal and societal challenges, from the rigid class structures to the entrenched power of the aristocracy, who guard their privileges like dragons hoarding gold. Despite his Herculean efforts, Turi's dreams are repeatedly dashed against the rocky shores of systemic barriers, designed to keep the wealthy perched on their gilded thrones and the innovative working class firmly in the muck.
Gold in the Mud is both a scathing critique of the feudal system and a heartfelt Hungarian homage to the indomitable spirit of its peasantry. Móricz's vivid portrayal of rural Hungary and the delightfully complex dialogues between characters capture the essence of the era and the place. The novel's bold, sexy passages are refreshing, especially surprising for a work published in 1910.
Not exactly sure what to think of the depiction of Jews in the novel. Móricz highlights the social and economic struggles faced by Jews, reflecting the broader societal issues of his time. His realistic approach provided a vivid depiction of the hardships and resilience of Jewish communities. However, one cannot escape feeling uncomfortable when some of these depictions are very stereotypical and used as a target of rage or for comic relief:
"The Jew’s dirty gray beard trembled, but he didn’t speak a word. This area was unfamiliar to him, he didn’t know who he was dealing with or what might happen. He was a tiny little man; he peered with his blinking red eyes from beneath his cloth cap, which was perched low on his head and bore earflaps — he looked for all the world like a kestrel trapped in a cage. With his bent, dirty, trembling fingers he fumbled in a frantic, yet vain attempt to unknot his big checkered bundle, slyly eyeing the peasant’s face as he did, in hopes of discerning what sort of man he was dealing with. The poor old peddler was as cowardly now as he’d been during his boyhood, when the village dogs had torn off his britches. But that didn’t stop him from wandering out into the world with his large bundle, in spite of fearing at the movement of any and every bush that a wolf or a robber was about to attack him. He thanked God each time he managed to return home safely to his family, where he rested for the briefest of times among his sons, who were gentlemen by now, and his daughters-in-law, who were fine ladies; then he set out again on his journey and peddled glass pearls, inexpensive hand mirrors, and silk kerchiefs for the peasant women..."
Navigating the treacherous terrain of social mobility, Turi encounters more hurdles than an Olympic track event. His journey is a veritable obstacle course of personal and societal challenges, from the rigid class structures to the entrenched power of the aristocracy, who guard their privileges like dragons hoarding gold. Despite his Herculean efforts, Turi's dreams are repeatedly dashed against the rocky shores of systemic barriers, designed to keep the wealthy perched on their gilded thrones and the innovative working class firmly in the muck.
Gold in the Mud is both a scathing critique of the feudal system and a heartfelt Hungarian homage to the indomitable spirit of its peasantry. Móricz's vivid portrayal of rural Hungary and the delightfully complex dialogues between characters capture the essence of the era and the place. The novel's bold, sexy passages are refreshing, especially surprising for a work published in 1910.
Not exactly sure what to think of the depiction of Jews in the novel. Móricz highlights the social and economic struggles faced by Jews, reflecting the broader societal issues of his time. His realistic approach provided a vivid depiction of the hardships and resilience of Jewish communities. However, one cannot escape feeling uncomfortable when some of these depictions are very stereotypical and used as a target of rage or for comic relief:
"The Jew’s dirty gray beard trembled, but he didn’t speak a word. This area was unfamiliar to him, he didn’t know who he was dealing with or what might happen. He was a tiny little man; he peered with his blinking red eyes from beneath his cloth cap, which was perched low on his head and bore earflaps — he looked for all the world like a kestrel trapped in a cage. With his bent, dirty, trembling fingers he fumbled in a frantic, yet vain attempt to unknot his big checkered bundle, slyly eyeing the peasant’s face as he did, in hopes of discerning what sort of man he was dealing with. The poor old peddler was as cowardly now as he’d been during his boyhood, when the village dogs had torn off his britches. But that didn’t stop him from wandering out into the world with his large bundle, in spite of fearing at the movement of any and every bush that a wolf or a robber was about to attack him. He thanked God each time he managed to return home safely to his family, where he rested for the briefest of times among his sons, who were gentlemen by now, and his daughters-in-law, who were fine ladies; then he set out again on his journey and peddled glass pearls, inexpensive hand mirrors, and silk kerchiefs for the peasant women..."
November 22, 2020
Ha valaki úgy érzi, hogy túl jó a kedve, szeretne kicsit lehangolódni, akkor ezt a könyvet feltétlenül vegye le a polcról.
Móricz csodásan, tisztán ír a lélekről, és nem hezitál azt teljes nyomorában, kínjában megmutatni.
Ez egy egyszerű mégis letehetetlen történet. Csak erős idegzetűeknek ajánlom.
Móricz csodásan, tisztán ír a lélekről, és nem hezitál azt teljes nyomorában, kínjában megmutatni.
Ez egy egyszerű mégis letehetetlen történet. Csak erős idegzetűeknek ajánlom.
October 5, 2022
the school system should rethink required books, this book made me so angry
November 10, 2025
Lehet Turi aranynak tartotta magát, de ő is inkább sár volt.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 14, 2023
A polcon találtam otthon selejtezés során. Nem sok kedvem volt elolvasni. Nem tudtam elképzelni, mit adhat nekem ez a könyv múlt századi, pátoszos, falusi magyar történetével. Lassan is indult, a téma se tetszett, de a párbeszédek nyelve meglepően erős, a leírásai szépek voltak. Aztán a jellemábrázolás is egyre jobban megfogott, a végén meg már a cselekmény is új felpörgött, hogy alig tudtam letenni. Megszerettem.
January 5, 2023
Incredible depiction of peasant life in late 19th century Hungary. A wonderful celebration of the fact that yes even people of lowly means have strong dreams, desires, trysts and complex inner lives. Moricz provides a terrifyingly realistic illustration of very troubled inner conflict and the intoxication of connection as well as adrenaline. I am so thankful for the great efforts of Virginia Lewis to bring this translation to English readers.
July 12, 2022
pénz és sárm
February 20, 2016
A couple of years ago I had this book as a homework read in high school. Back than I didn't even bother to read it, let alone to think about what this materpiece is about.
Anyway, I read it now. And I can tell you it's great.
Anyway, I read it now. And I can tell you it's great.
March 24, 2015
Érdekes, jól bemutatja a paraszti világot, és mégis végig úgy éreztem, ez a könyv nem nekem való.
August 1, 2021
I really wanted to like this book and I did the first half, but after that came all the misogyny and murder and I was just disappointed
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 9, 2022
Őszintén egy csillagot sem adnék rá. Ez volt a legrosszabb könyv amit valaha olvastam de muszáj volt az iskola miatt.
Nem tudom megérteni, hogy miért kell ilyesmit olvasni. Egész végig mérges voltam a karakterek miatt. Tudom, hogy abban az időben ez volt a normális (gondolom) de az akkor volt. Semmi tanító jellegűt nem találtam ebben a könyvben. A könyv végéről ne is beszéljünk (aki olvasta az tudja miről beszélek).
Amit Turi Dani tett Erzsivel az mindenféle képpen elfogadhatatlan és undorító.De Erzsi sem volt szent, mert azok után is amit Dani tett, védte. Tisztelem amiért hűséges volt de én a helyében már rég útjára bocsájtottam volna. Egy nő sem érdemli meg, hogy így bánjanak vele és, hogy boldogtalanok legyenek egy házasságban.
Ez az én saját véleményem. Lehet, hogy csak én nem értettem meg úgy ahogy kellett volna. Tisztelem és elfogadom mindenki véleményét és remélem, hogy ezzel nem sértettem meg senkit sem.
Nem tudom megérteni, hogy miért kell ilyesmit olvasni. Egész végig mérges voltam a karakterek miatt. Tudom, hogy abban az időben ez volt a normális (gondolom) de az akkor volt. Semmi tanító jellegűt nem találtam ebben a könyvben. A könyv végéről ne is beszéljünk (aki olvasta az tudja miről beszélek).
Amit Turi Dani tett Erzsivel az mindenféle képpen elfogadhatatlan és undorító.De Erzsi sem volt szent, mert azok után is amit Dani tett, védte. Tisztelem amiért hűséges volt de én a helyében már rég útjára bocsájtottam volna. Egy nő sem érdemli meg, hogy így bánjanak vele és, hogy boldogtalanok legyenek egy házasságban.
Ez az én saját véleményem. Lehet, hogy csak én nem értettem meg úgy ahogy kellett volna. Tisztelem és elfogadom mindenki véleményét és remélem, hogy ezzel nem sértettem meg senkit sem.
November 17, 2022
Nem tehetek róla, de nekem mindig az Így írtok ti vonatkozó része jut eszembe a Sáraranyról és sajnos igaza van Karinthynak, ez már annyira népiesch, hogy vágni lehet, gyakorlatilag önmaga karikatúrája. Röhögőgörcs és elképedés között ingadozom, valahányszor a kezem közé kerül. Móricz pedig sikeresen elsikkasztotta magát, akarom mondani: elsikkadt kézen-közön, maradt Turi Dani, a férfiasch férfi, a népiesch.
January 26, 2022
that was depressing
May 8, 2023
Tudtam, hogy szeretni fogom, mikor elkezdtem, és igazam volt. Vesztett egy csillagot viszont, mivel párszor érthetetlen volt a logikája számomra, de attól még élveztem!
June 3, 2024
sincerely, but what was that
January 11, 2025
Legjobb magyar könyv
January 25, 2022
1,5/5⭐️
the hungarian version of ion, but more fucked up:))
turi dani is a charmer, that one i have to admit, even tho he's mentally ill and abuses women. the man fucked his wife's mother. and his wife's cousin is in love with her. frickin telenovela. now think about that....
the hungarian version of ion, but more fucked up:))
turi dani is a charmer, that one i have to admit, even tho he's mentally ill and abuses women. the man fucked his wife's mother. and his wife's cousin is in love with her. frickin telenovela. now think about that....
June 20, 2015
Another school read; a raw, naturalistic novel about the life of rural peasants of the 19th century, and about the depths of human soul.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews