Now You See It, Now You Don't / House of Cards

by Marion Merrick, Simon Corrigan (Editor)

Have you ever wondered what it might have been like to live and work in a communist state, behind the iron curtain? A country where photocopiers were illegal, where there was no communication with the outside world except BBC World Service radio? A state where it took fifteen years to get a telephone, or where you had to be careful what you said and to whom? Englishwoman, Marion Merrick, did exactly that in 1982, before the collapse of the Berlin wall, emmigrating to Hungary where only ten other British people lived.

The only book written on the subject, "Now You See It, Now You Don’t (1982-1989) and House of Cards (1989-1996)" is Marion Merrick’s unique dual-volume personal account of life in Budapest, both pre- and post the collapse of Soviet power.

"Now You See It, Now You Don’t (1982-1989)" vividly describes the everyday world encountered in Budapest which disappeared following the changes after the fall of the Berlin wall. The book chronicles the author's first - and communism’s last - seven years in a life full of absurdities and illogicalities, yet also brimming with the characters and unique atmosphere which led her to stay.

"House of Cards (1989-1996)" provides the sequel, following the fate of the country and its people in the first seven years of post-communist Hungary. The book shows how the initial joy and disbelief at the 1989 implosion of the regime led to the realities of such a dramatic change - a change that left no-one's life unaltered.

1.Bob Dent, Budapest “It is a pleasure to read Marion Merrick’s very well written text…. You feel you are right there yourself as she ‘tells it how it was’, amid the minutiae of everyday life.”

Budapest “It is this detail which makes the story highly entertaining, fascinating and resonant.”

Lucy Mallows, Budapest “The book is a must for anyone interested in the day to day life of Hungary in the '80s.”

361 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 24, 2013

Reviews

[Nicky Lee-Delisle · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first half immerses the reader into the, often bleakly humorous, daily life under communism from the view of an outsider looking in. Such tales include communities making up their own rules in order to circumvent the masses of bureaucratic red tape and the frustration of crossing back and forth over the borders. However, as the author is an outsider who arrived in the latter years of forced socialism, I feel she doesn't quite grasp (or at least convey) the shadow of fear that people lived under. Same can be said of the era of both jubilation and confusion following the fall of the Berlin Wall.
The second half has pockets of poignancy, although the pace distinctly lags as we pick over minor neighbourly disputes and divorces of acquaintances.

[Nina Natroshvili · Rating 3 out of 5]

Personal impressions of Englishwoman who ended up in Hungary in the late socialist period. The second part is dedicated to aftermaths (with lot more poetic language introduced). Plenty of white middle class sensitivities, regarding her and her surrounding's cultural capital in high esteem. At times arrogant, Orientalizing (in Said's sense) but still a humane account. Going through it I could recognize lot of continuities in Hungary from the past to present, from convenient public transport system to suffering in bureaucratic hellhole. Expect some giggles along the way. Last pages were unexpectedly sentimental.

[Olga Hammock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating to read how two Brits can choose to make their home in Communist Hungary with all its deprivations, bribes, red tape. I was very impressed as I’d have hated it. But it gives a good insight into what life was like though the second book is just more of the same and the text is so dense that it can be quite hard work at times. But I learned a lot and am now much more thankful for my own life!

[Camillo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book, lots of stories and insights of 14 years in Hungary experiencing all the changes in the ‘90. As a former “kulfoldi” in Hungary, I could recognize many aspects, and many feelings on how it is so easy to fall in love with Hungary.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

surprisingly good. Brought back a lot of memories of my early days in Hungary that I had temporarily forgotten. Of course Marion has been here longer, but many things have not changed. Several times brought a knowing smile to my face. A must read for any Hungary old hands.