The Eighth Hungarian Tribe, 1985 (12. évfolyam, 1-11. szám)
1985-03-01 / 3. szám
BOOK REVIEW — by — Harry (i. Laclanye THE PURPLE GHOSTS OF DAMNATION ROW -by- Albert Wass Danubian Press 1894 Price: $7.00 The noted Transylvanian-Hungarian author, Albert Wass, has written a thoughtful and somewhat provocative novel in which he makes many observations on Hungary of pre-World war II and of the post-war changes brought about by the communist takeover. The story is told through the eyes and mind of a young 16-year-old American grandson, who in 1936, is sent to Hungary to live and to learn to manage his Hungarian grandfather’s 6000-acre farming estate, and eventually to inherit the property. For those who are familiar with pre-war Hungary, the descriptions of the land and people and their life-style are sure to evoke nostalgic memories of their homeland. The author gives a splendid portrayal of many traditions and customs. I especially enjoyed the descriptions of such activities as the Harvest Festival, the Hungarian Christmas Celebration, the hunts, and of college student life in Hungary. The writer’s love of country is obvious and his vivid commentaries have a poetic quality that is appealing. The life-style of a country gentleman, who has 64 workers on yearly wages, and 200 seasonal workers for the summer season, is presented as a way of life that many farm laborers chose voluntarily because they “preferred dependency to freedom”, and because of the security and avoidance of responsibility. “It was an honest way of life, a decent way of life, deeply rooted into the land and the souls of the people. It had a serene and simple beauty....” However, there were some in those days who were already saying that “It’s a disgrace the way the rich exploit the poor”, and were making predictions of MARCH, 1985 changes they thought were necessary and coming. And, the changes did come, and soon, the inhabitants of Damnation Row resented the large landowners who owned vast acres of land donated by a king centuries ago and even though they provided a way of life based on such values as “decency, loyalty, responsibility, respect, affection, and the unlimited trust in the inter-dependency of human relations.” Mr. Wass attributes this change to the extreme phase of socialism, which is communism and which he labels as “wicked and impossible”. He despairs not only of what happened in Hungary in destroying this “decent way of life”, but he also offers a warning to America from these Purple Ghosts...“ these revolutionaries, who are the termites and worms who are diligently chewing on the very foundations of our freedom”. Published in English and Hungarian, this novel makes for a good read, indeed! The Eighth Hungarian Tribe is published by the Bethlen Press, Inc. since 1974, for the advancement of Hungarian Heritage to bridge the distance between old and new generations By ANTHONY KOMJÁTHY $20.00 By TIBOR E. BARATH $15.00 «muLMMOftrain TUI LAST RATTU f 08 SI STOHBTS CROWN By ATTILA SIMONTSITS $33.00 THt SPIRIT OF HUNGARY By STEPHEN SISA $25.00 THE book mm BOOKS AVAILABLE FROM BETHLEN PRESS 1. -TEXT BOOKS SERIES NO. I. and II. $1.50 plus 35« postage—each. 2. -OUR HUNGARIAN HERITAGE—Albert Wass, $2.00 plus 35« postage. 3. -MAGYAR ÖRÖKSÉGÜNK—Albert Wass, $2.00 plus 35« postage. 4. -LOUIS KOSSUTH “THE NATION’S GUEST”Bibliography of Kossuth’s visit to U.S.A.: Joseph Széplaki - $5.00 plus 75« postage. 5. —“ACACIAS”—HUNGARIANS IN THE MISSISSIPPI VALLEY- Leslie Könnyű, $4.00 plus 75« postage. 6. -CONDENSED GEOGRAPHY OF HUNGARY:Leslie Könnyű, Soft cover. $3.75 including postage. 7. -FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH-HIVEN MINDHALÁLIG: Life history of Col. Michael Kovats. This book is single bound two language edition:—László L. Eszenyi, $5.00 plus 75« postage. 8. -TRANSYLVANIA: THE HUNGARIAN MINORÍTY IN RUMANIA—Julia Nanay, $5.00 plus 75« postage. 9. -A CONDENSED GEOGRAPHY OF HUNGARY. 80 pages with maps and pictures.—Leslie Konnyu. Soft cover. $3.75 including postage. HUNGARIAN COOK BOOK in English-Attractive Covers $3.50 - including Postage ORDER THESE BOOKS TODAY-BESTSELLER HISTORICAL BOOKS Bethlen Press, Inc. - P.O. Box 637, Ligonier, PA 15658, U.S.A. Page II
