The Eighth Tribe, 1980 (7. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1980-11-01 / 11. szám
ROOK REVIEW Sándor Petőfi Twayne Publishers just released four books on Hungarian literature. We present reviews on two books. To order these books use the order blank. Mihály Vitéz Csokonai Anna B. Katona (Hungary) TWAS 579 ISBN 0-8057-6421-6 $13.50 This is the first Western study of the greatest poet of the Hungarian Enlightenment. Combining a wide-ranging grasp of world literature with the unique perspective of a Hungarian, Mihály Vitéz Csokonai (1773-1805) created a poetry of special richness and character. He saw his nation as a bridge “between comely west and rough east”; his work merged European refinement with the down-to-earth flavor of 18th-century Hungary. Katona’s study concentrates on the cross-cultural nature of Csokonai"* poetry. Numerous references to parallels between bis work and that of Western writers help define Csokonait place in world literature. Ferenc Molnár Clara Gyiirgyey (Hungary) TWAS 574 ISBN 0-8057-6416-X $13.95 A critical study on Hungarian playwright Ferenc Molnár (1878- 1952) is long overdue. In the years before World War II, Molnár was one of the world’s most popular playwrights. His elegantly satirical comedies were performed on Broadway and filmed in Hollywood. Such plays as The Deal, The Guardsman, The Good Fairy, and his masterpiece Liliom (Carousel) received international acclaim. In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in Molnár. Revivals of his works appear frequently in this country and in Europe, delighting a new generation of theatergoers. Drama classes in many colleges are studying his plays in earnest again. This longawaited book is the first complete critical assessment of the entire body of Molnár’s writings, including his liltle-known sketches, short stories, and novels, in addition to the 40 plays on which his reputation rests. Enikő Molnár Basa (Hungary) TWAS 587 ISBN 0-8057-6429-1 $13.50 Although he died at the age of 26, the literary and political influence of Sándor Petőfi (1823- 1849) lived on to make him one of the most significant figures of 19th-century Hungary. A nationally recognized poet when he was barely 20, and a widely read propagandist for human rights and democracy, Petőfi helped shape the events that led up to the Revolution of 1848. His final commitment to freedom was a soldier's death in one of the last battles of that failed revolt. This first critical study of Petőfi published in English analyzes both his stylistic achievements as a lyric poet and the philosophical and political ideals expressed in much of his poetry. Such important works as the folk epic János Vitéz and The Apostle, a philosophical narrative, are examined in detail. Kálmán Mikszáth Steven C. Scheer TWAS 462 ISBN 0-8057-6299-X $10.50 “In his concise monograph Steven Scheer sets himself the ambitious task of introducing Mikszáth to readers with no familiarity with his work while at the same time providing the Mikszáth scholar with new insights . . . Scheer offers an intellectually demanding, provocative, and stimulating book.” —World Literature Today Saint Elizabeth (1207-1231)» the daughter of King Andrew II of Hungary, married Louis IV, Landgrave of Thuringia when she was 14 years old. She devoted her life to charitable works and was canonized by Pope Gregory IX in 125. — FAITH & FATE by Ferenc and Lél Somogyi YOUR SUPPORT IS NEEDED TO KEEP THIS MAGAZINE ALIVE! BE AN ADVOCATE IN ITS BEHALF.
