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Erdély aranykora
Az Erdély aranykorának történelmi tündérmeséibe szövi bele első ízben a villódzó, színes török motívumot: és költőien beszél a szülőföldről is, romantikus díszletek közt életre keltve kedves Erdélyének sorsfordító éveit.
A tündérmese szivárványos ködébe burkolt történetben nem a realista szerkezetet, a hitelességet kérjük számon: a hangulat, a stílus, a légkör olvasztja vonzó, bűbájos egységgé. A varázslat számára nem is képzelhető megfelelőbb színhely, mint a 17. századi Erdély váraival, barlangjaival; szereplőkül pedig féktelen főurak, nemes lelkű asszonyok, kegyetlen, cselszövő, egzotikus török férfi- és nőalakok felvonultatása. A látomás gazdagsága szinte elkápráztatja az olvasót: a regénynek azonban javára válik ez a sűrűség, fokozza a káprázatot, a szerelem, harc, menekülés, bosszúállás és megbékélés csodálatos szövevényét – a halhatatlan mesét.
A tündérmese szivárványos ködébe burkolt történetben nem a realista szerkezetet, a hitelességet kérjük számon: a hangulat, a stílus, a légkör olvasztja vonzó, bűbájos egységgé. A varázslat számára nem is képzelhető megfelelőbb színhely, mint a 17. századi Erdély váraival, barlangjaival; szereplőkül pedig féktelen főurak, nemes lelkű asszonyok, kegyetlen, cselszövő, egzotikus török férfi- és nőalakok felvonultatása. A látomás gazdagsága szinte elkápráztatja az olvasót: a regénynek azonban javára válik ez a sűrűség, fokozza a káprázatot, a szerelem, harc, menekülés, bosszúállás és megbékélés csodálatos szövevényét – a halhatatlan mesét.
240 pages, Hardcover
Published January 1, 2008
16 people are currently reading
89 people want to read
About the author
Mór Jókai
861 books94 followersMór Jókai, born Móric Jókay de Ásva, outside Hungary also known as Maurus Jokai or Moriz Jokai, was a Hungarian dramatist and novelist. He was born in Komárom, the Kingdom of Hungary (today Komárno, Slovakia, southern part remains in Hungary).
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
September 28, 2021
Upon finishing this intriguing book, I turned back to page one and began reading again, in the hope that the intricacies of its plot might become clearer the second time around. One dimension of this intricacy relates to the complex political situation of seventeenth-century Transylvania, where Ottoman Turks retained some influence despite the country’s nominal independence and where the word “Hungarian” could refer not only to the native ethnic stock but also to emigres from Hungary proper. Another relates to author Mór Jókai’s inexplicit treatment of cause and effect in the storyline, his disinclination to comment on how certain actions proceed from others. At any rate, my second reading was well worth it, as familiarity built on itself, yielding greater comprehension.
One obvious theme of the book is womanly influence over men. A typical sentence reads, “The chair of state was large enough to accommodate them both. It is true that the pretty wife had to sit half upon her husband’s knee, but that certainly did not inconvenience either of them.” (pp. 75-76) Another runs, “The women, like so many Bacchantes, ran in search of weapons, and mounted the ramparts by the side of their husbands, whom the determination of their wives had turned into veritable heroes.” (pp. 174)
However clever and strong the women of this book may be, though, they operate only through men. They are not independent.
Also intriguing to me is the hero of the last part of the book, Denis Banfi, who seems a typical representative of the gentry in the ease with which he shifts from grandiosity to viciousness. “The traces of noble enthusiasm and of unbridled fury are impressed upon his face side by side just as they are in his heart.” (p. 157)
In short, I enjoyed reading it once and more than doubly enjoyed reading it twice.
One obvious theme of the book is womanly influence over men. A typical sentence reads, “The chair of state was large enough to accommodate them both. It is true that the pretty wife had to sit half upon her husband’s knee, but that certainly did not inconvenience either of them.” (pp. 75-76) Another runs, “The women, like so many Bacchantes, ran in search of weapons, and mounted the ramparts by the side of their husbands, whom the determination of their wives had turned into veritable heroes.” (pp. 174)
However clever and strong the women of this book may be, though, they operate only through men. They are not independent.
Also intriguing to me is the hero of the last part of the book, Denis Banfi, who seems a typical representative of the gentry in the ease with which he shifts from grandiosity to viciousness. “The traces of noble enthusiasm and of unbridled fury are impressed upon his face side by side just as they are in his heart.” (p. 157)
In short, I enjoyed reading it once and more than doubly enjoyed reading it twice.
May 28, 2024
Üdv Budapestről! (Actually I left there three days ago. Witam z Krakowa!)
So apparently this Jokai dude was a famous writer in Hungary, and even has a bean soup named after him! After tasting such a thing (except a vegetarian version, kinda like a thin veggie soup, it was aight), I had to explore the literary excellence. I read the Nisbet Bain translation. Supposedly there's a more recent one, but I couldn't find it.
The book has a beautiful writing style, and begins (and contains several times throughout) long depictions of nature. But don't let that fool you! This book is a work of political theater featuring tension, drama, and a loveable guy named Denis. Seriously interesting, even if real Hungarians will till you that Americans can never truly understand this work of fiction. That happened to me a lot.
Read this!
So apparently this Jokai dude was a famous writer in Hungary, and even has a bean soup named after him! After tasting such a thing (except a vegetarian version, kinda like a thin veggie soup, it was aight), I had to explore the literary excellence. I read the Nisbet Bain translation. Supposedly there's a more recent one, but I couldn't find it.
The book has a beautiful writing style, and begins (and contains several times throughout) long depictions of nature. But don't let that fool you! This book is a work of political theater featuring tension, drama, and a loveable guy named Denis. Seriously interesting, even if real Hungarians will till you that Americans can never truly understand this work of fiction. That happened to me a lot.
Read this!
January 2, 2022
In my opinion, Jókai Mór is the Charles Dickens of Hungary. perhaps a bit more romantic than Dickens. The main difference is the need to be a Hungarian when reading Jókai. You need to be a Hungarian to appreciate the language and you need to be interested in history of that particular nation, because that is what Jókai writes most and best.
He presented many historical events in a language understandable to all.
Like Dickens, the first chapters of the books are tedious to read, but if one perseveres, there are huge winnings to get. The Golden Age of Transylvania is no different; once you made yourself familiar with the main characters, the book becomes un-put-downable.
He presented many historical events in a language understandable to all.
Like Dickens, the first chapters of the books are tedious to read, but if one perseveres, there are huge winnings to get. The Golden Age of Transylvania is no different; once you made yourself familiar with the main characters, the book becomes un-put-downable.
May 5, 2025
Rich in history of a very violent period (17th century). It seems only the women had any sense. Read the T. László Palotás translation with useful maps, a character list, and excellent notes. Recommend Anna Barker’s notes for those less familiar with this time period and Mor Jokai: https://m.facebook.com/groups/4613913...
March 3, 2018
Historical fiction at its finest. Jokai is a master of description....he draws the reader into the scene and leaves the reader wanting more. Jokai also is a master of human nature and can weave through all the feints to uncover the true nature of his characters. This book ought to be considered a classic...it has adventure, romance, betrayal and redemption...what more can one want? To top it off there is a leopard...and the ever popular defenestration (at least in central and Eastern Europe).
February 24, 2014
A little Macbeth-like a little Hamlet-like and viola you have a great book. Pride and vainglory cause the downfall of everything human as all vices are born there. It did not help that Transylvania was a borderland to Turkey, Hungary and the west and as such, was constantly under threats and different conquerors. Sad story to a very interesting place.
July 20, 2017
If adventure and virtue are what you seek...you will find it with this historical fiction by Mor Jokai. He is Mark Twain of Hungary...actually excedes Twain. Twain' use of irony disqualifies him in my opinion. Jokai flies highabove such trivial concerns and presents the better aspects of human character such as honor, courage, prudence and wisdom. Temperance, not so much.
December 19, 2010
A historical adventure story that takes place in the 1600’s in Transylvania. Interesting stuff about the political interplay between Hungary, Transylvania, and Turkey. I know very little about the history of of those countries so I really enjoyed this.
March 18, 2016
All of Jokai's books that I have read have several protagonists and all are three dimensional. Different readers will have different characters with whom they identify. This is only one of many incredible things about this brilliant author.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews