The Eighth Hungarian Tribe, 1984 (11. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1984-09-01 / 9. szám
BOOK REVIEW — by — Harry G. Ladanye FOLKTALES OF HUNGARY Edited by Linda Degh Translated by Judit Halasz Published by University of Chicago Press $6.95 This book achieves its aim of giving the reader a taste of the various forms of oral narrative as they are found today in Hungarian villages. In doing so, it also reveals that the extraordinary richness of Hungarian folktales is characteristic of the historical life story of the Magyar peasantry. Consequently, it can be regarded as a significant contribution towards a better understanding of and appreciation for the Hungarian heritage, particularly among American-born Hungarians. The folktales of Hungary date back to the time when there were no printing presses or books. They were fanciful stories handed down by word-of-mouth from one generation to another, and told at family gatherings during wintertime, around campfires out on the “puszta”, in village taverns, and elsewhere. As Anatole France, who was a “Hungarophile”, described these folktales: “they assume the hue of the sky, the smell of the earth, and in them the very soul of the people unfolds itself.” They certainly do! This soft-cover book is broken down into seven parts. These are the “Märchen”, Jokes and Anecdotes, Religious Tales, Animal Tales, Tales of Lying, Historic Legends, and Local Legends. Among these, the reader will find legends of the 15th Century national hero, King Matyas, of the “Táltos”, a peasant folk hero endowed with amazing powers, of the wandering scholar, or “Garabonciás”, who reads from a magic book and can destroy harvests, and much, much more. This book, to be sure, will be enjoyed by children and adults alike! September, 1984 THE BOOK DART ORDER THESE BOOKS TODAY-BESTSELLER HISTORICAL BOOKS Make your payment in check or money order payable to the BETHLEN Press and Mail to: The Bethlen Press, Inc. Bethlen Press, Inc. P.O. Box 2203 or P.O. Box 637 Union, N.J. 07083 Ligonier, PA 15658 looo YEARS»! HUNGAlOftM ART OF WARfe By ANTHONY KOMJÁTHY $20.00 Tibor E. BARATH THE EARLY HUNGARIANS IN THE LIGHT OF RECENT HISTORICAL RESEARCH MONTREAL 1983 By TIBOR E. BARATH $15.00 By STEPHEN SISA $25.00 ATRIA L SIMONTSITS THE LAST MJTIE FOB sisiEPNcirsamw By ATTILA SIMONTSITS $33.00 9 1
