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The Dukay Family #2
Les Dukay
Le chef du clan, le flamboyant comte Dukay, tient - ou essaye de tenir - d'une main de fer ses turbulents rejetons qui, eux, sentent bien que des vents nouveaux se lèvent. La belle Kristina, l'inquiétant Janos, le courageux György, le si attachant Rere et surtout l'exquise Zia nous font revivre, de 1919 à 1940, chacun à travers son destin, l'histoire du crépuscule doré de l'aristocratie européenne...
816 pages, Pocket Book
First published January 1, 1947
18 people are currently reading
272 people want to read
About the author
Lajos Zilahy
54 books61 followersLajos Zilahy was a Hungarian novelist and playwright. Born in Nagyszalonta (called Salonta in Romania) in Transylvania, then part of the Kingdom of Hungary, an entity of Austria-Hungary, he studied law at the University of Budapest before serving in the Austro-Hungarian army during the First World War, in which he was wounded on the Eastern Front - an experience which later informed his bestselling novel Two Prisoners (Két fogoly).
He was also active in film. His 1928 novel Something Is Drifting on the Water (Valamit visz a víz) was filmed twice. His play The General was filmed as The Virtuous Sin in 1930 and The Rebel in 1931.
Edited Híd (The Bridge) 1940-1944, an art periodical. Opposed both fascism and communism. In 1939 he established a film studio named Pegazus, which operated until the end of 1943. Pegazus produced motion pictures and Zilahy directed some of them. In 1944, his play Fatornyok (Wooden Towers) was banned. Gave all assets to government treasury in early 1940s for use in educating youth in world peace, which led to the establishment of Kitűnőek Iskolája.
He wrote the 1943 screenplay himself and co-directed it with Gusztáv Oláh in Hungary under the international English title Something Is in the Water. The Czechoslovakian screenplay was written by Imre Gyöngyössy, Ján Kadár and Elmar Klos, and directed by the latter two with a Serbian, Slovak, Hungarian, Czech and American cast on location at the Danube in Slovakia under the title Desire Called Anada in Czech (Touha zvaná Anada, 1969) and Slovak (Túžba zvaná Anada), with Adrift as its English title.
Lajos Zilahy became the Secretary General of Hungarian PEN but his liberal views placed him at odds, first with the right-wing Horthy regime and later with the post-war Communist government. Zilahy left Hungary in 1947,[1] spending the rest of his life in exile in the USA, where he completed A Dukay család, a trilogy of novels (Century in Scarlet, The Dukays, The Angry Angel) chronicling the history of a fictitious Hungarian aristocratic family from the Napoleonic era to the middle of the twentieth century. He died in Novi Sad, Serbia, then part of Yugoslavia.
He was also active in film. His 1928 novel Something Is Drifting on the Water (Valamit visz a víz) was filmed twice. His play The General was filmed as The Virtuous Sin in 1930 and The Rebel in 1931.
Edited Híd (The Bridge) 1940-1944, an art periodical. Opposed both fascism and communism. In 1939 he established a film studio named Pegazus, which operated until the end of 1943. Pegazus produced motion pictures and Zilahy directed some of them. In 1944, his play Fatornyok (Wooden Towers) was banned. Gave all assets to government treasury in early 1940s for use in educating youth in world peace, which led to the establishment of Kitűnőek Iskolája.
He wrote the 1943 screenplay himself and co-directed it with Gusztáv Oláh in Hungary under the international English title Something Is in the Water. The Czechoslovakian screenplay was written by Imre Gyöngyössy, Ján Kadár and Elmar Klos, and directed by the latter two with a Serbian, Slovak, Hungarian, Czech and American cast on location at the Danube in Slovakia under the title Desire Called Anada in Czech (Touha zvaná Anada, 1969) and Slovak (Túžba zvaná Anada), with Adrift as its English title.
Lajos Zilahy became the Secretary General of Hungarian PEN but his liberal views placed him at odds, first with the right-wing Horthy regime and later with the post-war Communist government. Zilahy left Hungary in 1947,[1] spending the rest of his life in exile in the USA, where he completed A Dukay család, a trilogy of novels (Century in Scarlet, The Dukays, The Angry Angel) chronicling the history of a fictitious Hungarian aristocratic family from the Napoleonic era to the middle of the twentieth century. He died in Novi Sad, Serbia, then part of Yugoslavia.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
December 11, 2025
I bought and read this novel twenty years ago and fell in love with it unreservedly. Please ignore any comparison with Gone with the Wind because that is a grotesque insult to a marvellously nuanced and complex work that is paean to the belle epoque and pre WWII worlds. I lost the book, forgot the author's name and only managed to find both again thanks to the GR Librarians group (I really must praise the good they do because I so often complain about their failures). It is now top of my to buy list.
It is a novel of decline and loss but it is closer to Tomasi di Lampedusa 'The Leopard' or Federico de Roberto's 'The Viceroys' than the sentimental farrago of Miss Mitchell. Zilahy was a tremendously popular and much translated author before and immediately after WWII. By the time of his death in 1974 he was largely forgotten in English language countries but if ever there was a masterpiece awaiting rediscovery this it. When I read it I knew nothing of Zilhay. I thought the novel was of recent vintage, probably post the collapse of the Soviet Union. I was amazed to discover it was over 60 years old. I cannot emphasize enough the absolute delight I received from the novel. Once I knew the authors name I began tracking down his other translated works and discovered what a rich literature was awaiting me.
Once I buy my copy of this novel I will reread it.
It is a novel of decline and loss but it is closer to Tomasi di Lampedusa 'The Leopard' or Federico de Roberto's 'The Viceroys' than the sentimental farrago of Miss Mitchell. Zilahy was a tremendously popular and much translated author before and immediately after WWII. By the time of his death in 1974 he was largely forgotten in English language countries but if ever there was a masterpiece awaiting rediscovery this it. When I read it I knew nothing of Zilhay. I thought the novel was of recent vintage, probably post the collapse of the Soviet Union. I was amazed to discover it was over 60 years old. I cannot emphasize enough the absolute delight I received from the novel. Once I knew the authors name I began tracking down his other translated works and discovered what a rich literature was awaiting me.
Once I buy my copy of this novel I will reread it.
December 1, 2008
An epic family saga in three novels about Hungary. I guess each country has its books reflecting the social, historical, psychological psyche of the nation. This one, about the rise and decline of an aristocratic Hungarian family, is probably one of the very best, and you don't have to be Hungarian or to have been to Hungary to appreciate it. The portrait Zilahy makes of this family sound stunningly true, and his acid, realistic depiction of its decadence is powerful. Without fake nostalgia nor conservative values that could mar his views, the author depicts a slowly dying society with acuteness, irony, and enough tenderness to make you feel for the characters.
April 16, 2012
Epic in the best possible way. So good.
lentil-colored skirts
Countess Menti, whose pretty name of Klementina was pruned at both ends, like the ears and tail of a Doberman pinscher, to produce her nickname, spoke Hungarian badly.
You cannot frame an apology in more meaningful words. Not because women are vain and foolish, no. But there is nothing lovelier, more dramatic, than a dramatic scene unperformed. Lessing put it this way: "True dialogue is the art of omission." p. 209
We've had news of a death at home. Everyone is alike at birth, and dissimilar in death. The circumstances of a man's death reveal his occupation, his character, his entire personality. He falls on the battlefield: a soldier. She drinks lye: a lovelorn little servant girl. Shot while trying to escape: a burglar. Heart failure: a bank director. Thrown from a horse while taking a jump: my grandmother. p. 214
But it was not in Mr. Gruber's nature to look for reasons. That was why he was an ideal secretary. He had been given much fancier assignments in the past. Find out by six in the evening whether Hubermann played any Tschaikovsky after the first intermission of his concert in Brussels last year. Produce a narwhal tusk at least five feet long by eight o'clock Thursday morning. Buy, in your own name, the Domino Motion Picture Theater in Zurich. On Wednesday afternoon between five and six in the Café Meteor in Budapest, slap the face of a character known as Ervin Kugyec. A good secretary does not look for reasons but gets results. p. 437
The people themselves are astonishingly reckless liars, a characteristic which, however, serves to dispel the threat of boredom that attacks Mandria with greater violence than the North wind p. 439
disguised in the obscurity of her own identity p. 465
The voice put down the receiver. It was Vira's voice--Zia had recognized it at once. Vira's "nearsighted" voice, for narrowed eyes make one's voice squint a little too. p. 471
Of course Uncle Fini maintains that cocottes and countesses dress entirely alike these days... p. 473
And indeed, only women know how to strike to the heart of the secrets of destiny with such incalculable glimmers of solitary punctuation marks. p. 594
A typewritten note is always too much like printing and deprives a letter, particularly a woman's letter, of the sudden dash and excitement of the handwriting itself, which speaks more plainly than a facial expression. p. 595
Meanwhile new baby giraffes were born every day... The giraffe story was current when the Jews had more than enough reason to be uneasy, and it told of two Jews who stood before the giraffes' cage in the zoo and silently regarded a newborn giraffe, long-necked and spotted. After a prolonged pause one Jew turned to the other: "What do you think--will this help us at all?" p. 711
lentil-colored skirts
Countess Menti, whose pretty name of Klementina was pruned at both ends, like the ears and tail of a Doberman pinscher, to produce her nickname, spoke Hungarian badly.
You cannot frame an apology in more meaningful words. Not because women are vain and foolish, no. But there is nothing lovelier, more dramatic, than a dramatic scene unperformed. Lessing put it this way: "True dialogue is the art of omission." p. 209
We've had news of a death at home. Everyone is alike at birth, and dissimilar in death. The circumstances of a man's death reveal his occupation, his character, his entire personality. He falls on the battlefield: a soldier. She drinks lye: a lovelorn little servant girl. Shot while trying to escape: a burglar. Heart failure: a bank director. Thrown from a horse while taking a jump: my grandmother. p. 214
But it was not in Mr. Gruber's nature to look for reasons. That was why he was an ideal secretary. He had been given much fancier assignments in the past. Find out by six in the evening whether Hubermann played any Tschaikovsky after the first intermission of his concert in Brussels last year. Produce a narwhal tusk at least five feet long by eight o'clock Thursday morning. Buy, in your own name, the Domino Motion Picture Theater in Zurich. On Wednesday afternoon between five and six in the Café Meteor in Budapest, slap the face of a character known as Ervin Kugyec. A good secretary does not look for reasons but gets results. p. 437
The people themselves are astonishingly reckless liars, a characteristic which, however, serves to dispel the threat of boredom that attacks Mandria with greater violence than the North wind p. 439
disguised in the obscurity of her own identity p. 465
The voice put down the receiver. It was Vira's voice--Zia had recognized it at once. Vira's "nearsighted" voice, for narrowed eyes make one's voice squint a little too. p. 471
Of course Uncle Fini maintains that cocottes and countesses dress entirely alike these days... p. 473
And indeed, only women know how to strike to the heart of the secrets of destiny with such incalculable glimmers of solitary punctuation marks. p. 594
A typewritten note is always too much like printing and deprives a letter, particularly a woman's letter, of the sudden dash and excitement of the handwriting itself, which speaks more plainly than a facial expression. p. 595
Meanwhile new baby giraffes were born every day... The giraffe story was current when the Jews had more than enough reason to be uneasy, and it told of two Jews who stood before the giraffes' cage in the zoo and silently regarded a newborn giraffe, long-necked and spotted. After a prolonged pause one Jew turned to the other: "What do you think--will this help us at all?" p. 711
July 31, 2022
Una esplendida historia de Hungría desde el desmembramiento del imperio austro-húngaro con la muerte del emperador Francisco José, el suicidio del heredero y su amante, el archiduque Rodolfo y María Vetsera, el asesinato del siguiente heredero, el archiduque Francisco Fernando y su esposa en Sarajevo que dio lugar al inicio de la Gran Guerra, todos estos años están reflejados en la vida de los condes Dukay y sus hijos, el mayor y heredero deficiente mental, sus otros dos hijos varones János, y György tan distintos y con una ideología tan dispar y sus dos hijas, Kristina, soñadora, fácilmente impresionable y la bella y dulce Zia.
Los avatares de la familia Dukay, grandes terratenientes y figuras importantes en la vida de Hungría, van casi a la par con los acontecimientos de centro Europa en esos momentos, Hungría se quita el yugo de los Habsburgo y se establece como nación independiente, pero durará poco, Hitler está llegando y su ascenso propiciará la II Guerra Mundial. Los Dukay van sufriendo también esa locura desatada y cada uno tomará un camino distinto al que estaba predestinado.
Está magníficamente escrito, lo que no es de extrañar ya que Lajos Zilahy era un maravilloso escritor, tiene mucho humor soterrado y por supuesto también grandes decepciones.
Una lectura magnífica.
Los avatares de la familia Dukay, grandes terratenientes y figuras importantes en la vida de Hungría, van casi a la par con los acontecimientos de centro Europa en esos momentos, Hungría se quita el yugo de los Habsburgo y se establece como nación independiente, pero durará poco, Hitler está llegando y su ascenso propiciará la II Guerra Mundial. Los Dukay van sufriendo también esa locura desatada y cada uno tomará un camino distinto al que estaba predestinado.
Está magníficamente escrito, lo que no es de extrañar ya que Lajos Zilahy era un maravilloso escritor, tiene mucho humor soterrado y por supuesto también grandes decepciones.
Una lectura magnífica.
December 25, 2020
Rereading this novel after eleven years, I once again felt that it is a classic of European literature that deserves to be much more widely known than it is. Although it bears the catch-all title of The Dukays, it is predominantly about three members of this aristocratic dynasty: the seductive and dreamy Krisztina, her proto-feminist and sensitive younger sister Zia, and their father, Count István Dukay, who lived his life unaware that he (or the real people who inspired him) would be the last of their kind, the last generation of magyar moguls to enjoy such unencumbered wealth and privilege. Sometimes I did feel Krisztina's part of the book went on a bit too long, and I would have enjoyed knowing more about how American-educated György Dukay faced the challenges of inheriting the estate and everything that happened in Europe after that point in time; but these are minor quibbles. Zilahy was a master at characterisation, whether narrating the extravagant exploits that had made István a legend as a young man, the precise way her life and background shaped Zia's French nanny Berili and how this impacted Zia's character as an adult, or the passions and quarrels of Mandria's townspeople. Even trifling incidents like an italian lawyer using a letter from the Dukay household to solicit a bribe from the family of Zia's suitor are narrated with such skill as to render them memorable. Zilahy really makes these characters come to life, and this is a book which will enrich your life.
October 27, 2024
Le comte Istvan Dukay, dit Dupi, fait partie de la meilleure aristocratie hongroise, celle sur qui les Habsbourg se sont appuyés pour asseoir la monarchie austro-hongroise. Marié à une froide et digne princesse allemande, il représente l'archétype du noble magyar, avenant, généreux, extraverti, voire extravagant.
Dans ce roman, on suit leurs enfants : Rere, l'aîné, simple d'esprit caché aux yeux du monde mais qui est très attaché à ses frères et sœurs ; Kristina, qui court après une chimère appelée Charles Ier ; Gyorgi, l'héritier, parti en Amérique ; Janos, dont le caractère rigoureux se révèle lorsqu'il rejoint le parti nazi ; et enfin Zia, la douce et vivante Zia, qui découvre l'amour dans cet entre-deux-guerres. Chacun à sa manière représente l'évolution de cette aristocratie européenne cosmopolite, l'éveil de leur conscience politique, la remise en question de leurs privilèges et de leur place dans le monde, et la manière dont ils y répondent.
Dans cette fresque, l'auteur montre une érudition joyeuse et généreuse, passant des détails familiaux et des anecdotes grivoises aux tractations de la politique internationale. Il nous plonge dans des ambiances incroyables : le mariage de Zia, organisé dans la plus pure tradition hongroise et le luxe des Dukay, une pièce de théâtre sur la place San Marco à Venise, une petite île de pêcheurs perdue au milieu de l'Adriatique, le faste des dîners du palais des Dukay à Budapest, l'atmosphère feutrée de la résidence des empereurs exilés Charles et Zita, une séance photo avec Mussolini... Budapest, Vienne, Paris, Munich, Venise, Fiume, Funchal, nous sommes emportés dans ce tourbillon de vie, comme un cheval au galop. Sous la pompe et le faste, les murs se craquèlent, les certitudes s'évanouissent, l'empire austro-hongrois se désagrège et le bruit des bottes se fait entendre au loin.
Une saga étourdissante, remarquablement bien écrite, tour à tour drôle et dramatique, nostalgique et cynique, avec une galerie de personnages inoubliables.
Dans ce roman, on suit leurs enfants : Rere, l'aîné, simple d'esprit caché aux yeux du monde mais qui est très attaché à ses frères et sœurs ; Kristina, qui court après une chimère appelée Charles Ier ; Gyorgi, l'héritier, parti en Amérique ; Janos, dont le caractère rigoureux se révèle lorsqu'il rejoint le parti nazi ; et enfin Zia, la douce et vivante Zia, qui découvre l'amour dans cet entre-deux-guerres. Chacun à sa manière représente l'évolution de cette aristocratie européenne cosmopolite, l'éveil de leur conscience politique, la remise en question de leurs privilèges et de leur place dans le monde, et la manière dont ils y répondent.
Dans cette fresque, l'auteur montre une érudition joyeuse et généreuse, passant des détails familiaux et des anecdotes grivoises aux tractations de la politique internationale. Il nous plonge dans des ambiances incroyables : le mariage de Zia, organisé dans la plus pure tradition hongroise et le luxe des Dukay, une pièce de théâtre sur la place San Marco à Venise, une petite île de pêcheurs perdue au milieu de l'Adriatique, le faste des dîners du palais des Dukay à Budapest, l'atmosphère feutrée de la résidence des empereurs exilés Charles et Zita, une séance photo avec Mussolini... Budapest, Vienne, Paris, Munich, Venise, Fiume, Funchal, nous sommes emportés dans ce tourbillon de vie, comme un cheval au galop. Sous la pompe et le faste, les murs se craquèlent, les certitudes s'évanouissent, l'empire austro-hongrois se désagrège et le bruit des bottes se fait entendre au loin.
Une saga étourdissante, remarquablement bien écrite, tour à tour drôle et dramatique, nostalgique et cynique, avec une galerie de personnages inoubliables.
July 27, 2015
I've read this lengthy novel twice and now I'm even more impressed by it, especially by numerous glimpses of the impossible glory of the age that is passing. The Dukays decries the end of an era in Europe, but it does so with a remarkable lightness and charm giving a thought-provoking picture of the ill-fated Habsburg's brief rule and not much longer life. Zilahy accomplishes this in such a decadent manner with wonderful and lively descriptions of both the interiors and exteriors of the Dukay residences full of priceless artifacts: gold and jewels, lush fabrics, paintings, sculptures, exotic species of trees and fountains... It's a must-read!
December 29, 2017
Olyan jó, hogy nem adtam fel az első 100-120 oldal alatt. Amennyire nyögvenyelős volt az eleje, annyira olvasható lett később. A Krisztináról szóló fejezetekben örültem IV. Károly történetének, amiről ezidáig alig tudtam valamit. És, bár egyébként irtózom a történelmi regényekben a jóslatoktól, itt olyan mesterien használta Zilahy a jóslatot, hogy szinte tetszett.
Zia históriája másképpen volt érdekes, Krisztináénál jóval személyesebb és intimebb volt, sokkal átérezhetőbb és valódibb a tragédiája. Meg, ahogy a történelem belefolyt az életvezetésébe, nagyon megragadó volt.
Vaciláltam, hogy 3 vagy 4 csillag, valahol a kettő között helyezném el.
Zia históriája másképpen volt érdekes, Krisztináénál jóval személyesebb és intimebb volt, sokkal átérezhetőbb és valódibb a tragédiája. Meg, ahogy a történelem belefolyt az életvezetésébe, nagyon megragadó volt.
Vaciláltam, hogy 3 vagy 4 csillag, valahol a kettő között helyezném el.
June 21, 2024
Belle saga, intéressante, dense, complexe, foisonnante; parfois légère grâce aux regards et aux tempéraments de certains personnages, très attachants par ailleurs (le simple Rere, la belle Kristina amoureuse d'un roi et Zia). Une fresque réussie peignant la société aristocratique hongroise entre la fin du XIXe et la mi-XXe. Lajos Zilahy écrit très bien, on est heureux de plonger dans cette époque où les sociétés (chute des Empires, fin de l'aristocratie...) et l'Europe sont si vite bouleversés. La grande Histoire se mêle à l'histoire de la famille Dukay, le résultat est vraiment un beau roman !
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July 25, 2010I thoroughly enjoyed this book- I picked it up at a flea market- Now I am going to read the rest of the triolgy-
July 29, 2024
This review is not for people who predominantly read classics and/or for whom great writing is sufficient reason to read a book.
This book was terrible. It's one in a long line of classics that have become practically unreadable. Some examples, limited to the first 50 pages to avoid spoilers:
The way the eldest son of Stephan Dukay is treated by everyone.
The g-slur is used several times in the 2001 edition of this book.
There is entirely casual mention of romancing a 16yo by the main character (count Stephan) when he was 21+yo.
"At that time the word Socialist sounded as if someone today were to call himself a technocrat or a eugenist. It meant little more than a new and dangerous kind of thought which, although it offered no threat to the perpetual security of the Monarchy, was nevertheless intolerable."
The descriptions of Kristina's body during her teenage years.
Using "apelike cunning" to refer to the (so far) only black man/teenager in the story.
There is also talk about dogs being mutilated for fashion (tails and ears) so if you're sensitive to that, avoid this one.
The characters are your standard aristocrats with a bunch of servants as side characters. Pretty typical. No one is truly compelling to read about, though they do feel like people mostly.
I don't understand why the text/translation uses miles when we're firmly in Europe.
I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone. It has literary merit: the writing style is easy to read and compelling. But there are equally well-written books that hold up much better or that are being written as we speak that deserve my and your time and money more than this relic. I DNF'd on page 140, in the middle of a paragraph.
Spoiler territory (first some general remarks, then problematic aspects, and at the bottom a list of content warnings):
Kristina's diary was entirely unnecessary and so very boring. This young girl writes about how much she would like to be ordinary but then in the same entry she obsesses over her grand destiny. She's just an entitled rich brat whose life is too easy so she's bored. I don't want to read about any of this.
She is no worse than any of the other characters, I just prefer to read about her in 3rd person so I can muster up some empathy. The moment we're inside a character's head I hate them and no longer care about their life (in this book specifically).
Some more problematic elements I came across beyond the 50 page mark:
Randomly calling the governess a slut. Did this word have a different meaning in the past? I don't understand the word choice.
16yo Kristina "could be had" sexually
"Women generally achieve their true beauty only after the birth of their first child"
Kristina kisses the archduke/crown prince, currently married to another woman, without his consent while he is sick.
Kristina had a "romantic liaison" WITH HER UNCLE (her mother's brother) when she was 20 or younger.
And some themes that might be triggering to readers:
A sexual relationship between a 14yo girl and an 18yo man (implied, resulting in)
Teenage pregnancy
Stillbirth
An abusive teenage friendship between two boys (11 and 13)
Physical abuse from a parent
A motorcycle accident resulting in death
Death of a teenager
Physical abuse of servants
Incest
This book was terrible. It's one in a long line of classics that have become practically unreadable. Some examples, limited to the first 50 pages to avoid spoilers:
The way the eldest son of Stephan Dukay is treated by everyone.
The g-slur is used several times in the 2001 edition of this book.
There is entirely casual mention of romancing a 16yo by the main character (count Stephan) when he was 21+yo.
"At that time the word Socialist sounded as if someone today were to call himself a technocrat or a eugenist. It meant little more than a new and dangerous kind of thought which, although it offered no threat to the perpetual security of the Monarchy, was nevertheless intolerable."
The descriptions of Kristina's body during her teenage years.
Using "apelike cunning" to refer to the (so far) only black man/teenager in the story.
There is also talk about dogs being mutilated for fashion (tails and ears) so if you're sensitive to that, avoid this one.
The characters are your standard aristocrats with a bunch of servants as side characters. Pretty typical. No one is truly compelling to read about, though they do feel like people mostly.
I don't understand why the text/translation uses miles when we're firmly in Europe.
I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone. It has literary merit: the writing style is easy to read and compelling. But there are equally well-written books that hold up much better or that are being written as we speak that deserve my and your time and money more than this relic. I DNF'd on page 140, in the middle of a paragraph.
Spoiler territory (first some general remarks, then problematic aspects, and at the bottom a list of content warnings):
Kristina's diary was entirely unnecessary and so very boring. This young girl writes about how much she would like to be ordinary but then in the same entry she obsesses over her grand destiny. She's just an entitled rich brat whose life is too easy so she's bored. I don't want to read about any of this.
She is no worse than any of the other characters, I just prefer to read about her in 3rd person so I can muster up some empathy. The moment we're inside a character's head I hate them and no longer care about their life (in this book specifically).
Some more problematic elements I came across beyond the 50 page mark:
Randomly calling the governess a slut. Did this word have a different meaning in the past? I don't understand the word choice.
16yo Kristina "could be had" sexually
"Women generally achieve their true beauty only after the birth of their first child"
Kristina kisses the archduke/crown prince, currently married to another woman, without his consent while he is sick.
Kristina had a "romantic liaison" WITH HER UNCLE (her mother's brother) when she was 20 or younger.
And some themes that might be triggering to readers:
A sexual relationship between a 14yo girl and an 18yo man (implied, resulting in)
Teenage pregnancy
Stillbirth
An abusive teenage friendship between two boys (11 and 13)
Physical abuse from a parent
A motorcycle accident resulting in death
Death of a teenager
Physical abuse of servants
Incest
November 26, 2020
This is a historical fiction noval about an aristocratic family at the turn of the 20th century. Istvan Dukay and his wife and children live a privledged life in the early part of the century. His children all grow and most of them grow away from the family and leave the country all together. Their eldest son who is mentally disabeled, is the only one who truly doesn't ever leave the next. The book covers from 1919 to 1939 covering both world wars. Most of the story focuses on the youngest daughter, Zia.
This was an okay book. I enjoed a lot of the story, and the writing was quite good. However, too much of the book was about the daughter, Zia, and not about the family as a whole. I felt that too much time was focused on this one child and could not really figure out why. The book would have been a much better read if it would have focused on each of the children equally, or the famkly in Hungary at this time.
I am not sure I can recommend it because it took place only 50% - and just barely - in Hungary, and the rest was while Zia was in Cyprus.
This was an okay book. I enjoed a lot of the story, and the writing was quite good. However, too much of the book was about the daughter, Zia, and not about the family as a whole. I felt that too much time was focused on this one child and could not really figure out why. The book would have been a much better read if it would have focused on each of the children equally, or the famkly in Hungary at this time.
I am not sure I can recommend it because it took place only 50% - and just barely - in Hungary, and the rest was while Zia was in Cyprus.
April 26, 2022
Finally finished this massive work by Zilahy. While my interest in the novel had its ups and downs, I enjoyed the sheer scope of the novel despite the occasional excess in detail. Such a thoroughly written book, Zilahy spares no effort in carefully setting up the emotional development of his main characters and brings to life a whole epoch with the sociopolitical background and comment that I love how he blends-in. I've read two novels in the Dukay saga and so far Century in Scarlet is my favourite. I can't wait to start with the final one (I read them not in the order in which they were written, but chronologically based on the time the events in the novel take place).
If you're looking to start reading this author I'd suggest Two Prisoners and then the Dukay trilogy.
If you're looking to start reading this author I'd suggest Two Prisoners and then the Dukay trilogy.
April 20, 2023
A travers la richissime famille hongroise Dukay, on se retrouve plongé dans l’atmosphère de la fin de l’Empire austro-hongrois et au début de la Seconde Guerre.
Le style est enlevé, fluide, les aventures de la jeune Zia sont distrayantes.
Une pointe de tristesse apparaît au fil de la lecture, lorsque la décadence de l’aristocratie hongroise se généralise à tous les membres de la famille.
Le style est enlevé, fluide, les aventures de la jeune Zia sont distrayantes.
Une pointe de tristesse apparaît au fil de la lecture, lorsque la décadence de l’aristocratie hongroise se généralise à tous les membres de la famille.
January 4, 2018
Amazing book! You just get caught in the life of the family and receive through fun or tragic stories some brilliant glimpses of this era. No boring parts and incredible characters, the pages burn in the hands.
October 13, 2018
On suit l'histoire de ma famille d'Istvan Dukay, un des comtes les plus riches et puissants de la Hongrie de la fin du 19ème siècle.
A travers les histoires de quelques personnages, on perçoit les splendeurs et décadences d'une famille et le changement social qui s'opère entre les 2 guerres...
A travers les histoires de quelques personnages, on perçoit les splendeurs et décadences d'une famille et le changement social qui s'opère entre les 2 guerres...
August 11, 2021
This saga has a sense of foreboding and melancholia about it. Unbridled wealth and minimal responsibilities other than watching the world dissolve does not make for an adventure tale. It begs the age old question ..is that all it is? Nevertheless an enlightening tome.
December 1, 2023
Overall a great book although some parts were rather slow.
November 1, 2014
Set in the Europe of the late 1920's and the 1930's, this book tells the story of the children of wealthy Hungarian aristocrat Istvan Dukay: rebel Kristina, business-minded Gyorgy, Janos who becomes intrigued by Fascism, and Zia, who seeks sanctuary in a tiny Italian town when betrayed by her Italian prince husband. The 700 pages of the book is quite a slog; the story lines are interesting, but the author takes perhaps more time to tell each one than is really necessary. He also engages in some heavy-handed foretelling - yes, we all know World War II is coming and that it won't be kind to Hungary. Interestingly, a character who is missing from this volume is Miklos Horthy, regent of Hungary, who plays such a critical role in the nation during the 1930's and during the Second World War. Zilahy paints a vibrant and compelling portrait of Central Europe, and demonstrates a love of Hungary and a deep knowledge of its people. I would just have liked a bit more conciseness in the writing.
September 27, 2008
I have completed the A-to- Z Reading Challenge!
It took a while to read this 717-page saga of the Dukay family, one of the last great aristocratic families of Hungary. The story begins in July of 1919 and ends with the onset of World War II in 1939 and relates events in the lives of the Dukay daughters, Kristina and Therezia, with vignettes of other family members.
Historical fiction was once one of my favorite genres; while reading this book, I realized that most of the historical fiction I had read was British history, written in English, or American history, written in English. The Dukays, originally written in Hungarian and later translated into English, was a small step outside that box.
It took a while to read this 717-page saga of the Dukay family, one of the last great aristocratic families of Hungary. The story begins in July of 1919 and ends with the onset of World War II in 1939 and relates events in the lives of the Dukay daughters, Kristina and Therezia, with vignettes of other family members.
Historical fiction was once one of my favorite genres; while reading this book, I realized that most of the historical fiction I had read was British history, written in English, or American history, written in English. The Dukays, originally written in Hungarian and later translated into English, was a small step outside that box.
August 29, 2013
This is a wonderful portrait not only of Hungary but of Europe in the early 20th century. Zilahy is erudite and humane. He has a gift for description and evocation. The Dukay daughters are each a study. Kristina is treated less favorably than Zia, the true heroine of this novel, and her self deceptions and conceits are displayed. Zia is someone who will win your allegiance, and before this long saga is over you will be hoping for her happiness. In a book like this delivering such a character is quite an achievement. The Dukays is a great pleasure.
March 6, 2015
Saga of a Hungarian family but very hard to read. I gave up.
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