Hungarian Literature Club discussion
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I am Hungarian, 100% and the first generation born in the USA. I have read some Hungarian books translated into English and have a number waiting to be read.
Mod
Welcome to the group, Eva. What are some of the books and authors on your Hungarian 'want to read' list?
Embers by Sandor Marai is next on my list. I am in the process of moving long distance and hope to have more time to think in a month or so! I know I have read The Wild Rose (?) but that's all I can remember right now. I am always looking for Hungarian items and would love to hear what everyone else has enjoyed.
Mod
I'll look out for those two. Good luck with your move.
Hi everyone, like Eva (Éva?) I'm also Hungarian, but I still live in Hungary and learned English only through school but honestly, mostly through novels. I still tend to read mostly in English but I have a few Hungarian favorites as well, like One Minute Stories by István Örkény, or on the contemporary side anything written by Laura Leiner (unfortunately her books are not yet translated to English, and she mostly writes YA novels, but her style is flawless and she writes a lot).I also really liked The Baron's Sons by Jókai Mór, which we had to read back in primary school.
I know I should read more Hungarian literature so I'm hoping to find great recommendations and even greater friends here. :)
Mod
I'm looking forward to reading the books you suggest, especially The Baron's Sons. It will be intriguing to read something that was required for your school.
Hey, I'm a 37 yrs old father of two, living in a small town in Hungary. I read contemporary literature so if I find anything translated to English, I'll let you know.
Mod
I hope some cooler weather is on its way for you.
hi everyone, I'm a Hungarian freelance lit translator based in Budapest, mostly working by appointment on stuff that either gets published or (more probably for a long while yet) doesn't. some of my recent translations of Hungarian poetry by István László G. and János Pilinszky appeared in Panel Magazine, which is apparently a new(-ish) development on the scene, check them out :::http://panel-magazine.com/
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Welcome and thanks for your post.
Poetry is challenging for me. I'll sit down with your work when I get home from school. Hopefully, I'll enjoy Hungarian poetry (in translation) as much as I enjoy Hungarian prose.
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Harry wrote: "Dani, in which issue are your translations?"these are in issue 3 Harry, and the really cool thing is, Panel seems to be taking up much where Pilvax Magazine had left off, including translated and original literature in English with a focus on Central-Eastern Europe
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I ended up downloading the whole issue. I hope it will be mailed here too, because it looks quite beautiful; but I doubt it will be.
I am trying to get into your translations, but my daughter is being quite talkative and won't give me a chance. I'll have to sit down with them later, but I like Straight Maze so far, especially 'flaming focus' and 'sultry corridor.'
Harry wrote: "Dear Dani,I ended up downloading the whole issue. I hope it will be mailed here too, because it looks quite beautiful; but I doubt it will be.
I am trying to get into your translations, but my ..."
thanks Harry, it's great to know someone out there's reading this stuff - feedback matters y'know - and yeah I agree, Panel is pretty smart, that is both smart and pretty :-)
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I do recommend Panel, in which Dani's work appears. It is visually striking and thematically absorbing.
My father liked the Bánffy trilogy and they're on my to read list.I was lucky enough to live in Hungary for many years and I've always been interested in the country so now that I'm back in England (with my Hungarian wife) perhaps it's natural that I should begin reading Hungarian literature.
Actually the reason I moved to Hungary was a book - Leigh-Fermor's A Time of Gifts (and the subsequent Between The Woods and the Water which is the one that deals with Hungary.) https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
My Hungarian is sufficient for basic conversation but not good enough to read something complex. So I'm stuck with translation and so this group is perfect for me - and the ban on politics is also a plus.
I've read some Kosztolányi, Szerb, George Konrad, Faludy, Kertész, Márai, Móricz, Karinthy stb. but there's still a whole load of others that I want to explore.
I look forward to learning things from like minded people.
Mod
It's great to have you involved.
Happy New Year! I've returned from vacation and have to catch up on this reading group.
Please enjoy the Banffy, if and when you get to it.
Hello everyone!English speakers tend to call me Ziggy, as Zsigmond is hard to pronounce. I’m hungarian born- and raised. :)
I’ve been writing poetry in a “classic hungarian” style for five years by now. Some of my works have been published in magazines, and 31 of my poems made it into my first book, that was published in 2018 - I’d like to translate some of those to english, when I have time.
I love my homelands literature, especially the more “classical” works, and I’m really interested what works are deamed good by english speakers.
I’m happy to be here, thanks in advance! :)
Mod
It's great to meet you!
I'm looking forward to learning more about Hungarian literature from you -- although as you can see from the thread, I'm experiencing some disruptions to my literary supply chain these days.
I hope things are not too oppressive or discouraging where you are.
Hello everyone!:)My name is Viki and I’m hungarian, perhaps also the youngest member of the group with my 18 years of age. Most of my life I spent in the middle east in British schools so hungarian literature is also new for me. I recently read Antal Szerb’s Pendragon Legend and I fell in-love with his style. Soon I think I will begin his novel ‘Journey By Moonlight’. Has anyone read it? If so, how did you like it? Currently I’m reading in hungarian to practice the language, however I do struggle with some classic authors and their complicated style/language use (eg: Moricz or Jokai). I’m here to make friends and to discover more authors and books, perhaps more “lighter” ones, which are not a struggle to read.
Hi Viki are you now back in Hungary? My English kids went to the Lycee in Budapest, one of them finished her education at a Hungarian gimi they ended up with three languages but I’m not sure any of them read Hungarian books.Journey by Moonlight in English translation is a wonder (sztem).
I’m happy you’re polishing your mother tongue. It’s a beautiful language. As far as lighter books are concerned I’m sure that some of the Hungarians here can recommend something as they seem to read 25 hours / day, 8 days / week. Welcome.
Mod
My name is Viki and I’m hungarian, perhaps also the youngest member of the group with my 18 years of age. Most of my life I spent in the middle east in British schools so hungaria..."
Dear Viki,
Welcome!
I'm so happy that you liked The Pendragon Legend!
As for Journey by Moonlight, there is more than one translation. I have read the one by Peter Hargitai (which is actually called Traveler). I found it rather darker in tone than Pendragon Legend. I plan to read the translation by Len Rix as soon as I can, to compare them.
I hope you are healthy and free from vexation, wherever you are.
Viktória wrote: "Hello everyone!:)My name is Viki and I’m hungarian, perhaps also the youngest member of the group with my 18 years of age. Most of my life I spent in the middle east in British schools so hungaria..."
Hi Viki, do you plan to read Journey by Moonlight in Hungarian? It's a family favourite with us, both my parents have read it and both my sisters, too. Probably the only book all five of us have read and could talk about :) we also travelled to some of the spots together, like Gubbio, it was quite an experience.
Jókai is a struggle for most of us, I would say. How about Abigail by Magda Szabó for starters? I think it is easy to read, bit of a classic now and very enjoyable. I shall think about other ones to recommend.
Jutka
P.S. Harry, have you heard some troubling news? :)
As for the introduction: hello everyone :) I'm in the middle of a career change (from translating product and brand descriptions to translating different stuff and, hopefully, teaching English - I hope I won't jinx it with this) in Budapest, with two kids and a lockdown that is probably easing in days now. I'm in love with languages. And reading, of course.
Mod
I haven't heard any news that's personally troubling, thank you; it's the virus in general that I'm referring to. I'm glad to hear that the lockdown will be easing soon in Hungary. Here in the States, lockdowns are indeed being lifted, but it's more out of desperation, I think; the virus numbers are still pretty bad. I'm about to check a certain website for the number of today's new cases in my county, an unfortunate nightly ritual.
So again, I hope you are all doing well. :)
Harry wrote: "Dear Jutka,I haven't heard any news that's personally troubling, thank you; it's the virus in general that I'm referring to. I'm glad to hear that the lockdown will be easing soon in Hungary. Her..."
Ah, I see. The numbers here have been surprisingly good throughout and they seem to be decreasing now. A second wave may hit harder this way, or we may be somehow more fortunate in this case. I don't know. The pandemic managed to be highly politicized here and there had been some issues that could raise concern. I thought you were referring to those. But let's leave it at that, shall we? :)
We're fine, thank you. I hope everything's all right with you, too. Be safe!
Viktória wrote: "Hello everyone!:)My name is Viki and I’m hungarian, perhaps also the youngest member of the group with my 18 years of age. Most of my life I spent in the middle east in British schools so hungaria..."
Hello, Viki! Welcome to the club. :)
Jutka and Harry have written everything I could tell you, so I'm only here to confirm: Journey by Moonlight is a beautiful book, but not like The Pendragon Legend at all, the latter is infinitely more funny. I also recommend Abigail, it's exciting, easy to read, and always a good start for a talk or even a friendship, because you'll find lots of people who love it.
and steady with the politics people :)
Stephen wrote: "and steady with the politics people :)"Yes, it was a misunderstanding, sorry :) it is best avoided here, I agree. That's why I suggested to leave it at that :)
No need to apologize. I read some of your blog and relaxed a bit :)
Stephen wrote: "No need to apologize. I read some of your blog and relaxed a bit :)":)) I'm glad you liked it! :)
Hello and good morning from Hungary, from the small Lake of Velence!I am Melinda, born and living in Hungary, but working for the European Commission in Budapest (well, it has been mostly teleworking since March).
I studied English and German at University and I am a great fan of English-language literature in most genres, though there are a few I tend to avoid.
Some 10 years ago I started reading Hungarian literature in English, mostly because I have lots friends from other countries and they asked me for Hungarian book recommendations.
I was also curious to know how well Hungarian translates in to English.
I stumbled upon an online review in The Guardian -a stumble under lucky stars- praising Journey by Moonlight and its translator, Len Rix which raised my interest. I bought the book and totally loved the translation.
Then I purchased The Pendragon Legend and the rest is history. :)
I am really happy to have discovered this Group.
Hi Melinda! What a coincidence! I live there too!😄
Viktória wrote: "Hi Melinda! What a coincidence! I live there too!😄"
Cool stuff! 😍
I live in Gardony.
Stephen wrote: "Where they make the pàlinka :) yum!"Indeed. 😂
Mod
Welcome to the group! I'm glad you're here.
It's interesting to me how many native Hungarian speakers are keen to read Hungarian books in English. Of course, I'm glad you are -- otherwise I wouldn't have met all of you; but I don't think I'd be as eager to read Huckleberry Finn in Chinese as you are to read The Pendragon Legend in English.
As someone who cannot speak Hungarian, I can report that the translations, especially Mr. Rix's, are wonderful, and there must be something about the ease of translating Hungarian into English (at least for Mr. Rix) that makes it so pleasant for me to read.
I've thought about this before, with reference to Chinese literature, which doesn't seem to translate into English very well. Japanese and Hungarian translate much better.
I'm looking forward to learning more of your views on the subject.
Hi Everybody,I'm Zsolt Bartha and I'm living in Hungary. First of all I have to apologise for my English, because my father language is Hungarian and I cannot speak English as good as I would like. I am a first book writer and if anyone can read Hungarian, maybe is interested in my book. Title is Egzotikus, étlap, kalauz. The story is about a railway officer, who likes to eat special meals and there is a crime line too. It is a funny story and it is a little bit similar like the works of Roald Dahl or Stephen Leacock or Béla Fehér or Jenő Rejtő.
If you have a mood for knowing my book, you can by it in Apple Books, Kobo, Barnes&Noble, Scribd and soon in Overdrive. Thank you for your attention.
Mod
Welcome!
Unfortunately, I'll have to wait until your book is translated into English before I can enjoy it. Or maybe I'll learn Hungarian...
Congratulations, either way!
Defining characteristic?Soul, surely.
Soul and audacity in equal measure.
Taken together these qualities allow us a deep insight into the human condition without sundry filters...things can go a little crazy though!
Sorry, quick introduction; Linduska Beresford... Half Hungarian, born in Canada, currently living in UK... Hi!
Lin wrote: "Defining characteristic?Soul, surely.
Soul and audacity in equal measure.
Taken together these qualities allow us a deep insight into the human condition without sundry filters...things can go a ..."
Hi Lin :), welcome!
Mod
Welcome!
Soul and audacity.... Hmm. I'll keep that in mind.
Do you have a favorite book?
Hi just joined , I’m French American but I am an artist who lived in Budapest for three months to study new spirituality in Hungary. I discovered Hungarian literature here and I’m reading antal szerb now :). Is this group still active ?
Chloé wrote: "Hi just joined , I’m French American but I am an artist who lived in Budapest for three months to study new spirituality in Hungary. I discovered Hungarian literature here and I’m reading antal sze..."Hi Chloé, welcome! Yes, we are still active, only sporadically. :)
Mod
Hungarian Literature Club
Books mentioned in this topic
Journey by Moonlight (other topics)The Pendragon Legend (other topics)
Journey by Moonlight (other topics)
The Pendragon Legend (other topics)
The Baron's Sons (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Len Rix (other topics)István Örkény (other topics)
Laura Leiner (other topics)
Mór Jókai (other topics)
Miklós Bánffy (other topics)
More...
A few years ago, I read The Transylvania Trilogy (now available as They Were Counted and They Were Found Wanting - They Were Divided) by Miklós Bánffy; I really lost myself in it, and I have no idea why. I went on to read everything Miklós Bánffy wrote, and then I moved on to Antal Szerb, whose work I liked even more and devoured rapidly. Worried that I'd exhausted the Hungarian reading list, I recently found Mór Jókai.
Failing to realize the full potential of Goodreads (the general public doesn't seem to care what I'm reading, nor should they), I've decided to use my inexplicable liking for Hungarian literature as a means to assemble a small coterie of like-minded friends. Maybe we can start by exploring the question of why we're so intrigued by Hungarian literature in the first place.