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Csardas
The csardas is a dance that symbolizes the vibrant spirit, the love of life of a proud people. And Csardas is a deftly plotted saga of great power, beauty, and historical authenticity that follows the changing fortunes of three aristocratic European families--spanning two world wars and four countries, and brimming with richly drawn, unforgettable characters.
Trying to found a dynasty against the inflexible caste system of the crumbling Austro-Hungarian Empire, stern Jewish banker Zsignmond Ferenc had married Marta Bogozy, a gay, charming woman of noble birth. Their daughters, "The two enchanting Ferenc sisters," Malie and Eva, are the most sought-after young women in their small society. Little do they realize that their secure world of privilege is soon to be consumed in the holocaust of the First World War and subsequent events.
Masterfully, Diane Pearson interweaves the story of Malie and Eva with the lives of the other Ferencs, their relatives, and the history of the troubled times--the socialist, fascist, and finally communist regimes; the scattering of the family and its struggle simply to survive; and the joyous reunion after World War II of those who do.
This is a superbly written, poignant epic of war and peace--the brave, dignified, and sometimes cruel story of living, breathing characters whose hopes, failures, and triumphs will entrance readers everywhere.
Trying to found a dynasty against the inflexible caste system of the crumbling Austro-Hungarian Empire, stern Jewish banker Zsignmond Ferenc had married Marta Bogozy, a gay, charming woman of noble birth. Their daughters, "The two enchanting Ferenc sisters," Malie and Eva, are the most sought-after young women in their small society. Little do they realize that their secure world of privilege is soon to be consumed in the holocaust of the First World War and subsequent events.
Masterfully, Diane Pearson interweaves the story of Malie and Eva with the lives of the other Ferencs, their relatives, and the history of the troubled times--the socialist, fascist, and finally communist regimes; the scattering of the family and its struggle simply to survive; and the joyous reunion after World War II of those who do.
This is a superbly written, poignant epic of war and peace--the brave, dignified, and sometimes cruel story of living, breathing characters whose hopes, failures, and triumphs will entrance readers everywhere.
576 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1975
45 people are currently reading
1393 people want to read
About the author
Diane Pearson
38 books28 followersDiane Margaret Pearson was born on 5 November 1931 in Croyden, London, England, daughter of Miriam Harriet Youde and William Holker. During her childhood, she often visited her grandparents in a village on the Surrey/Kent borders. She attended Secondary School in Croyden. She became in 1975, the second wife of the Irish actor Richard Leech (McClelland).
At 16, Diane started her career in publishing with Jonathan Cape Ltd, and she has been Senior Editor for Transworld Publishers for more than 35 years. In 1994 she won the British Book Award for Editor of the Year. As Diane Pearson she has published six historical romance novels and several short stories. She also was the President of the Romantic Novelists' Association from 1986 to 2011, when she retired. A widow since 2004, she lived in her native London until her death on 5 August 2017.
At 16, Diane started her career in publishing with Jonathan Cape Ltd, and she has been Senior Editor for Transworld Publishers for more than 35 years. In 1994 she won the British Book Award for Editor of the Year. As Diane Pearson she has published six historical romance novels and several short stories. She also was the President of the Romantic Novelists' Association from 1986 to 2011, when she retired. A widow since 2004, she lived in her native London until her death on 5 August 2017.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews
October 27, 2014
As a Hungarian, I can attest to the fact that most people (at least in the US) don’t know much about my country or culture even though we’ve been through a lot and persevered. Diane Pearson explores the life of a fictional bourgeois Hungarian family during WWI and WWII in “Csardas”.
Pearson aptly named her novel “Csardas” as this is our most popular folk dance style and was used by the Hungarian army as a recruitment theme song. We associate many emotions and feelings with these music notes. Similarly, “Csardas” follows the feelings of an upper-class Hungarian family (notably the “enchanting” Ferenc Sisters); with the most important worries being ball gown colors…until WWI strikes and then things will never be the same.
“Csardas” is a combination of “Gone with the Wind”, “Anna Karenina”, a classic film one would see on the AMC channel, and a historical fiction war novel. Initially, the novel feels slightly too gimmicky with the characters living a much too “Leave it to Beaver” lifestyle. However, this may have been precisely Pearson’s intent, as it makes the transition into dramatic wartime life that much more emotional and effective on the reader. In fact, Pearson successfully evokes various sentiments from laughter to tears, from love to hate; allowing the reader to ‘live’ the story.
Pearson’s writing is very detailed and vivid and can understandably be too detailed for some readers. For others, this heightens the dramatic flair and impresses with its creativity. Despite this, “Csardas” is neither slow nor boring with a readable, strong, and steady pace which envelopes the reader. Pearson’s novel is definitely one which can’t easily be put down. Although Pearson doesn’t overuse foreshadowing, there are some predictable moments. Fortunately, these don’t limit the story or affect it in a negative way and therefore, “Csardas” isn’t weakened.
One of the main strengths of “Csardas” is its capacity to give each character a distinct persona which grow and mold with individual character arcs while not overshadowing another.
On the other hand, my biggest qualm with “Csardas” is that it doesn’t truly capture Hungarian people or ways of life with all its Hungarian nuances. Although some of the characters are quite convincing such as Roza and Uncle Sandor; the family overall could be any Eastern European family or even British as they feel very British to me (which makes sense due to the author). At the same time though, Pearson strongly captures war life and the historical environment of the story. Plus, my complaining aside, Pearson does successfully capture the stubbornness and resilience of Hungarians.
“Csardas” becomes increasingly emotional and builds with strength as it progresses. Both the characters and Pearson’s writing gain confidence which fuels the plot and adds twists and turns. Furthermore, Pearson keeps a strong ratio of romance/love to war/pain allowing the novel to seep in depth and maintain the momentum. As the wheel rotated into the second half, events felts too contrived and unnatural plus some weird angles were present. However, they ease slowly and the tension was once again smooth and compelling along with the growth of characters not as focused on previously.
Pearson’s coverage of the Second World War is impressive with her ability to present a perspective (an upper-class Jewish family) which isn’t always portrayed in ‘usual’ WWII HF novels. Plus, as a Hungarian with Jewish blood in my veins, “Csardas” not only taught me some new facts but successfully evoked strong emotions and boiled my (Jewish) blood. Any book which can cause a reader to feel so strongly—especially decades after its published date—is a success in some sense of the word.
Uniquely, “Csardas” doesn’t have a specific climax, with the entire last quarter of events serving as such. Although these weren’t as dramatic as I expected from the novel, the emotional character/emotional study was complex and a compelling facet of the plot. Like many other reviews, I wasn’t pleased with the ending of “Csardas” which was much weaker than the rest of the novel being flimsy and best described as “wimpy”. This resulted in the novel lacking a memorable ending point, affecting the entire novel.
As a note: Pearson does include some sources and further reading books which is more than can be said of most HF authors.
Despite the poor conclusion and some issues overall (plus spelling and editing errors I.E. “her” instead of “here”); “Csardas” is a strong HF novel covering three generations of a family in the middle of WWI and WWII. It is recommended for those seeking a look varying from concentration camps and at a country (Hungary) which isn’t often discussed. Pearson’s work is gratifying, well-written, and will certainly entertain.
Pearson aptly named her novel “Csardas” as this is our most popular folk dance style and was used by the Hungarian army as a recruitment theme song. We associate many emotions and feelings with these music notes. Similarly, “Csardas” follows the feelings of an upper-class Hungarian family (notably the “enchanting” Ferenc Sisters); with the most important worries being ball gown colors…until WWI strikes and then things will never be the same.
“Csardas” is a combination of “Gone with the Wind”, “Anna Karenina”, a classic film one would see on the AMC channel, and a historical fiction war novel. Initially, the novel feels slightly too gimmicky with the characters living a much too “Leave it to Beaver” lifestyle. However, this may have been precisely Pearson’s intent, as it makes the transition into dramatic wartime life that much more emotional and effective on the reader. In fact, Pearson successfully evokes various sentiments from laughter to tears, from love to hate; allowing the reader to ‘live’ the story.
Pearson’s writing is very detailed and vivid and can understandably be too detailed for some readers. For others, this heightens the dramatic flair and impresses with its creativity. Despite this, “Csardas” is neither slow nor boring with a readable, strong, and steady pace which envelopes the reader. Pearson’s novel is definitely one which can’t easily be put down. Although Pearson doesn’t overuse foreshadowing, there are some predictable moments. Fortunately, these don’t limit the story or affect it in a negative way and therefore, “Csardas” isn’t weakened.
One of the main strengths of “Csardas” is its capacity to give each character a distinct persona which grow and mold with individual character arcs while not overshadowing another.
On the other hand, my biggest qualm with “Csardas” is that it doesn’t truly capture Hungarian people or ways of life with all its Hungarian nuances. Although some of the characters are quite convincing such as Roza and Uncle Sandor; the family overall could be any Eastern European family or even British as they feel very British to me (which makes sense due to the author). At the same time though, Pearson strongly captures war life and the historical environment of the story. Plus, my complaining aside, Pearson does successfully capture the stubbornness and resilience of Hungarians.
“Csardas” becomes increasingly emotional and builds with strength as it progresses. Both the characters and Pearson’s writing gain confidence which fuels the plot and adds twists and turns. Furthermore, Pearson keeps a strong ratio of romance/love to war/pain allowing the novel to seep in depth and maintain the momentum. As the wheel rotated into the second half, events felts too contrived and unnatural plus some weird angles were present. However, they ease slowly and the tension was once again smooth and compelling along with the growth of characters not as focused on previously.
Pearson’s coverage of the Second World War is impressive with her ability to present a perspective (an upper-class Jewish family) which isn’t always portrayed in ‘usual’ WWII HF novels. Plus, as a Hungarian with Jewish blood in my veins, “Csardas” not only taught me some new facts but successfully evoked strong emotions and boiled my (Jewish) blood. Any book which can cause a reader to feel so strongly—especially decades after its published date—is a success in some sense of the word.
Uniquely, “Csardas” doesn’t have a specific climax, with the entire last quarter of events serving as such. Although these weren’t as dramatic as I expected from the novel, the emotional character/emotional study was complex and a compelling facet of the plot. Like many other reviews, I wasn’t pleased with the ending of “Csardas” which was much weaker than the rest of the novel being flimsy and best described as “wimpy”. This resulted in the novel lacking a memorable ending point, affecting the entire novel.
As a note: Pearson does include some sources and further reading books which is more than can be said of most HF authors.
Despite the poor conclusion and some issues overall (plus spelling and editing errors I.E. “her” instead of “here”); “Csardas” is a strong HF novel covering three generations of a family in the middle of WWI and WWII. It is recommended for those seeking a look varying from concentration camps and at a country (Hungary) which isn’t often discussed. Pearson’s work is gratifying, well-written, and will certainly entertain.
November 20, 2011
Portions of this review will discuss events that are historical fact. I have made every effort not to mention the fates of specific characters in relation to those historical events.
Csardas begins in 1914 and focuses around the lives of the two Ferenc sisters, Eva and Amalia (Malie), daughters of a Hungarian aristocrat and a wealthy Jewish banker, who expected little more out of life but parties with dashing young men to court them. Self-centered Eva is determined to snare the wealthy Felix Kaldy, but his mother is having none of it (a Bogozy is not good enough for a Kaldy). As for Malie, she meets young officer Karoly Vilaghy and both are head over heels in love, but her father forbids the match with someone of lower social standing (they are Bogozys after all). Malie defies her father and insists she'll marry Karoly, but war happens...
The story continues through the aftermath of WWI and the country trying to regain what it lost, the oncoming threat of Germany and Adolf Hitler, the German invasion of Hungary, and trying to rebuild a life and land after the decimation of war.
"You think, because people must be fed, we should throw away our consciences?"..."Conscience is the privilege of those who are not hungry."
I highly recommend this novel for those interested in Hungary and its history, but be warned, war is not pretty and while there aren't graphic battlefield scenes there are some serious topics covered and this might not suit for every reader. The jacket blurb does make this sound like a romance novel revolving around a pair of star-crossed lovers, but it's anything but that. What you will get is a story of a family and how their lives are affected by war and politics. You will get an up close look at the lifestyle and customs of their tightly woven society, from the wealthy and privileged to the peasants born and bred to accept their lot in life. Until the Soviets come that is...
Csardas begins in 1914 and focuses around the lives of the two Ferenc sisters, Eva and Amalia (Malie), daughters of a Hungarian aristocrat and a wealthy Jewish banker, who expected little more out of life but parties with dashing young men to court them. Self-centered Eva is determined to snare the wealthy Felix Kaldy, but his mother is having none of it (a Bogozy is not good enough for a Kaldy). As for Malie, she meets young officer Karoly Vilaghy and both are head over heels in love, but her father forbids the match with someone of lower social standing (they are Bogozys after all). Malie defies her father and insists she'll marry Karoly, but war happens...
The story continues through the aftermath of WWI and the country trying to regain what it lost, the oncoming threat of Germany and Adolf Hitler, the German invasion of Hungary, and trying to rebuild a life and land after the decimation of war.
"You think, because people must be fed, we should throw away our consciences?"..."Conscience is the privilege of those who are not hungry."
I highly recommend this novel for those interested in Hungary and its history, but be warned, war is not pretty and while there aren't graphic battlefield scenes there are some serious topics covered and this might not suit for every reader. The jacket blurb does make this sound like a romance novel revolving around a pair of star-crossed lovers, but it's anything but that. What you will get is a story of a family and how their lives are affected by war and politics. You will get an up close look at the lifestyle and customs of their tightly woven society, from the wealthy and privileged to the peasants born and bred to accept their lot in life. Until the Soviets come that is...
April 25, 2015
It’s a shame this book is so unknown, because it’s an excellent and highly entertaining work of historical fiction. I blame the romance-y cover and foreign title, neither of which is an accurate representation of the book’s contents. This is a family saga spanning several decades, and like all epics it has a bit of romance in it, but that is far from the focus, especially after the first 100 pages. As for the title (pronounced CHAR-dosh), it’s probably the only Hungarian word in the book; Csardas was written by an English author and presents no accessibility problems for English-speaking readers.
This book tells the story of a wealthy Hungarian family, beginning in 1914 and ending in the late 1940’s; it begins with their comfortable pre-war lives, and covers WWI and WWII, as well as the aftermath of both and the years in between. We begin the story with sisters Amalia and Eva, attending parties and looking out for eligible husbands, but the first war changes their lives in unexpected ways, and by the second the story has largely moved on to the younger generation.
Pearson is an excellent storyteller, and though this is a long book, there’s never a dull moment. A lesser author might have readers impatient for the next war to come, but the characters and their stories are compelling enough in its absence that I felt the wars for what they were, tragic intrusions on people’s lives. Pearson takes risks with the characters, including some important deaths that occur off-page, but this strategy pays off, as readers are put in the shoes of relatives left wondering what happened to their loved ones. It is not a happy book, especially toward the end, but it was an ugly time and I’m glad Pearson chose not to sugarcoat it. I also appreciate that, though WWII is given its due, it doesn’t swallow the book; certainly an entire novel could be written about the family’s experiences during those few years, and many such novels exist, but this one has 35 years of Hungarian and family history to cover, and it doesn’t shortchange the lesser-known parts.
As for the characters, they’re well-developed and their evolution over the years believable, and Pearson makes good use of omniscient narration to show us their complexities (though this works slightly less well in letters to one another that attempt to explain their own cultural assumptions). The changes and upheavals in Hungarian society are also shown well, and the author makes good use of detail to bring the setting to life. The writing is adequate to carry the story along, though in a couple of places I had to snicker at the thought that this was written by an editor (was “she said explanatorily” really considered an acceptable dialogue tag in 1975?). Despite those few hiccups, it’s an immersive story that feels well-researched and believable.
Recommended to anyone who enjoys historical fiction or family sagas. Csardas is now out of print and not an easy book to find, but it’s worth the trouble.
This book tells the story of a wealthy Hungarian family, beginning in 1914 and ending in the late 1940’s; it begins with their comfortable pre-war lives, and covers WWI and WWII, as well as the aftermath of both and the years in between. We begin the story with sisters Amalia and Eva, attending parties and looking out for eligible husbands, but the first war changes their lives in unexpected ways, and by the second the story has largely moved on to the younger generation.
Pearson is an excellent storyteller, and though this is a long book, there’s never a dull moment. A lesser author might have readers impatient for the next war to come, but the characters and their stories are compelling enough in its absence that I felt the wars for what they were, tragic intrusions on people’s lives. Pearson takes risks with the characters, including some important deaths that occur off-page, but this strategy pays off, as readers are put in the shoes of relatives left wondering what happened to their loved ones. It is not a happy book, especially toward the end, but it was an ugly time and I’m glad Pearson chose not to sugarcoat it. I also appreciate that, though WWII is given its due, it doesn’t swallow the book; certainly an entire novel could be written about the family’s experiences during those few years, and many such novels exist, but this one has 35 years of Hungarian and family history to cover, and it doesn’t shortchange the lesser-known parts.
As for the characters, they’re well-developed and their evolution over the years believable, and Pearson makes good use of omniscient narration to show us their complexities (though this works slightly less well in letters to one another that attempt to explain their own cultural assumptions). The changes and upheavals in Hungarian society are also shown well, and the author makes good use of detail to bring the setting to life. The writing is adequate to carry the story along, though in a couple of places I had to snicker at the thought that this was written by an editor (was “she said explanatorily” really considered an acceptable dialogue tag in 1975?). Despite those few hiccups, it’s an immersive story that feels well-researched and believable.
Recommended to anyone who enjoys historical fiction or family sagas. Csardas is now out of print and not an easy book to find, but it’s worth the trouble.
February 13, 2015
As every Downton Abbey fan knows, when the British aristocracy runs itself into debt and decay, the solution is to marry a rich American heiress whose bottomless purse will save the ancestral lands. In Hungary at the dawn of the 20th century impecunious noblemen apparently married (sometimes) beautiful Jewish women instead.
The Enlightenment had helped create a subclass of wealthy European Jewish families, many engaged in banking and finance, and most thoroughly divorced from their cultural and religious roots. Antisemitism simmered just below the glitteringly smooth surface of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and for wealthy assimilated Jews marriage into the aristocracy held material advantages—opening a path towards acceptance into the upper echelons of society, entry into the best schools and even more business opportunities.
Besides antisemitism, other ancient hatreds simmer and thicken Hungary’s potent ethnic goulash: peasants pay deference to their feudal overlords, but the bonds are beginning to fray; Bosnians, Serbs, Croats resent the power of the old tribes and the decaying Empire; in nearby Russia new doctrines are taking root; and Germany, newly unified, is flexing its national military muscle.
Csardas is the story of five Hungarian families: the Kaldys, Bogozys and Rac-Rassays—apparently Magyar landed gentry of varying status—and two wealthy Jewish families, the Ferencs and Kleins. Over the course of three generations the fate of these families will become intertwined in ways none of them would ever have expected. The secondary tales of two peasants, Uncle Sandor and Janos Marton, are notable for the light they shed on changing class distinctions and the appeal of Communism.
None of these dangerous ingredients are obvious as the story opens, in fact the first 100 pages had me thoroughly bored as the air-headed but irresistible Ferenc sisters choose ball gowns and fill up their dance cards at their cousin’s coming out party. The dialog was stilted, the characters one-dimensional and looking at the 476 pages that lay ahead I almost put the book aside. I am so glad that I persisted. By page 200 Hungary is at war and Diane Pearson finds her voice; the many characters begin to emerge as fully complex, often flawed, human beings; the story’s pace never lags through the horrors of World War I, the rise of Hitler and Hungary’s home grown Arrow Cross fascist movement, the emergence of Communism, the devastation of World War II, the Holocaust, and the coming of the Soviets.
With all that bloodshed not everyone will emerge unscathed—the atrocities of World War I seem to have unhinged one character in particularly interesting ways—and you know that some will never return, but in the end there is a kind of resolution and a hint that some joy can be found amid the ashes.
Content Warning: PG for mature themes including war and its attendant atrocities, as well as marital infidelities and other sexual indiscretions. All is handled in fairly non-graphic ways, but this is not a children’s book.
Hungary! for my Around the World reading challenge.
The Enlightenment had helped create a subclass of wealthy European Jewish families, many engaged in banking and finance, and most thoroughly divorced from their cultural and religious roots. Antisemitism simmered just below the glitteringly smooth surface of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and for wealthy assimilated Jews marriage into the aristocracy held material advantages—opening a path towards acceptance into the upper echelons of society, entry into the best schools and even more business opportunities.
Besides antisemitism, other ancient hatreds simmer and thicken Hungary’s potent ethnic goulash: peasants pay deference to their feudal overlords, but the bonds are beginning to fray; Bosnians, Serbs, Croats resent the power of the old tribes and the decaying Empire; in nearby Russia new doctrines are taking root; and Germany, newly unified, is flexing its national military muscle.
Csardas is the story of five Hungarian families: the Kaldys, Bogozys and Rac-Rassays—apparently Magyar landed gentry of varying status—and two wealthy Jewish families, the Ferencs and Kleins. Over the course of three generations the fate of these families will become intertwined in ways none of them would ever have expected. The secondary tales of two peasants, Uncle Sandor and Janos Marton, are notable for the light they shed on changing class distinctions and the appeal of Communism.
None of these dangerous ingredients are obvious as the story opens, in fact the first 100 pages had me thoroughly bored as the air-headed but irresistible Ferenc sisters choose ball gowns and fill up their dance cards at their cousin’s coming out party. The dialog was stilted, the characters one-dimensional and looking at the 476 pages that lay ahead I almost put the book aside. I am so glad that I persisted. By page 200 Hungary is at war and Diane Pearson finds her voice; the many characters begin to emerge as fully complex, often flawed, human beings; the story’s pace never lags through the horrors of World War I, the rise of Hitler and Hungary’s home grown Arrow Cross fascist movement, the emergence of Communism, the devastation of World War II, the Holocaust, and the coming of the Soviets.
With all that bloodshed not everyone will emerge unscathed—the atrocities of World War I seem to have unhinged one character in particularly interesting ways—and you know that some will never return, but in the end there is a kind of resolution and a hint that some joy can be found amid the ashes.
Content Warning: PG for mature themes including war and its attendant atrocities, as well as marital infidelities and other sexual indiscretions. All is handled in fairly non-graphic ways, but this is not a children’s book.
Hungary! for my Around the World reading challenge.
May 6, 2014
Csardas (pronounced CHAR-dosh) takes place in Hungary and spans over thirty years and the rise and fall of two generations. The characters endure two world wars and subsequent government changes which affect their standing in the community,their livelihoods, wealth, and eventually their very lives. Over almost 600 pages we watch the three families grow and interact, raise eyebrows, marry (or not), bear children (or not) and finally either live (or not). That's Csardas in a nutshell.
So I really liked this. I didn't feel that the story ever lagged and I was engrossed and emotionally "invested" for several days. Because of the size and scope of the book, it is divided into two parts and the first part was my favorite as it focused on generation one (WW1). While you never 'lose' the first generation as the focus moves to the 2nd (and WW2), I have to say I cared more about the original cast of characters.
As with all of Diane Pearson's stories, the characters are complex and some will disappoint from time to time. I also was upset when some characters were killed off over the course of the book. Can't be helped, I know; but there were times when I was not happy.
I think it's hard with a book of this size to really satisfy the reader when it ends. It seems that any ending will feel abrupt. And it did. For those who need a HEA, I can tell you that it did end relatively happy but I would have loved a bit more in the "warm fuzzy" closure department.Yes, I KNOW this is post WW2 Hungary; but it's also FICTION, so make it up if you have to!
Overall, a very good read and one I would recommend to those who like works by Emma Drummond, Tolstoy, or chunky generational family sagas like "The Forsyte Saga".
CONTENT:
SEX: characters do not always make good moral choices but any sex is largely behind closed doors, fade to black or non descriptive.
VIOLENCE: Moderate. Some war imagery is disturbing.
PROFANITY: Mild, a few B's.
MY RATING: Strong PG-13
BY THE WAY: Check out David Garrett playing Csardas on Youtube. The music is beautiful! http://youtu.be/t977iJX1Eh4
So I really liked this. I didn't feel that the story ever lagged and I was engrossed and emotionally "invested" for several days. Because of the size and scope of the book, it is divided into two parts and the first part was my favorite as it focused on generation one (WW1). While you never 'lose' the first generation as the focus moves to the 2nd (and WW2), I have to say I cared more about the original cast of characters.
As with all of Diane Pearson's stories, the characters are complex and some will disappoint from time to time. I also was upset when some characters were killed off over the course of the book. Can't be helped, I know; but there were times when I was not happy.
I think it's hard with a book of this size to really satisfy the reader when it ends. It seems that any ending will feel abrupt. And it did. For those who need a HEA, I can tell you that it did end relatively happy but I would have loved a bit more in the "warm fuzzy" closure department.Yes, I KNOW this is post WW2 Hungary; but it's also FICTION, so make it up if you have to!
Overall, a very good read and one I would recommend to those who like works by Emma Drummond, Tolstoy, or chunky generational family sagas like "The Forsyte Saga".
CONTENT:
SEX: characters do not always make good moral choices but any sex is largely behind closed doors, fade to black or non descriptive.
VIOLENCE: Moderate. Some war imagery is disturbing.
PROFANITY: Mild, a few B's.
MY RATING: Strong PG-13
BY THE WAY: Check out David Garrett playing Csardas on Youtube. The music is beautiful! http://youtu.be/t977iJX1Eh4
July 29, 2015
There is a class of books - especially from the 70s and 80s - that I call "good books with bad covers." Apparently, there was a need at one time to convince everyone to read good history by doing a bait and switch about it being a romance.
This novel falls squarely in the class. While finding a "good husband" is indeed the occupation of the Ferenc girls at the start of the novel, the history that overtakes their pursuits outweighs the lightness of this storyline pretty quickly. It follows the history of Hungary from the early 1900s to the early 1950s.
While it wasn't always a quick read, I was absorbed and found myself wanting to get back to the book when I wasn't reading it.
This novel falls squarely in the class. While finding a "good husband" is indeed the occupation of the Ferenc girls at the start of the novel, the history that overtakes their pursuits outweighs the lightness of this storyline pretty quickly. It follows the history of Hungary from the early 1900s to the early 1950s.
While it wasn't always a quick read, I was absorbed and found myself wanting to get back to the book when I wasn't reading it.
November 5, 2022
This excellent historical fiction showed perfectly, at least, one big part/taint of Central and Eastern Europe. There are many books about antisemitism in those countries (especially in Nazi Germany), and here you can see how deep it was and at the same time how often unseen and obscure. For those who were born in those countries (like me), it looks sadly familiar. People weren't taught antisemitism, but it was like people were born with this taint under the skin. They didn't talk about it but it was there, it waited there. The culture was (and in some communities still is) soaked with this prejudice. It is hard to explain. There are things that only someone who lived in the culture is able to feel it. For example, I understand the depth of American racism or Hindu castes but I don't feel them the way Americans and Hindus feel. So, I don't know what someone from other parts of the world sees in this novel, but too me it was a fascinating reminder of our history, in what times those people had to live and make decisions.
There were characters I loved from the first sight, some characters needed some time, some I didn't like, some I hated. But all of them created a family similar (more or less) to many others that lived then. I watched them mature and grow old. And in my mind, I imagine that they (those who survived) were happy after the book ended (although knowing history I know that wasn't certain). My favourite were: Adam, David, Janos and Leo. I know, they are all men. Don't get it wrong, female characters were also marvelous, even Eva, but although I solidarized with Kati, Terez and Malie, I rooted for these four men.
If you want to see Hungary from a bit before IWW to a bit after IIWW - choose this one. It is long and sometimes rough but you will be able to feel those people, their world. You will see how and why (at least some of the reasons) the Austro-Hungarian Empire fell apart, how and why socialism (and Communism) appeared and grew there, why some of those changes were inevitable. And you will probably think about how different it could have been done. It was hard not to think constantly: "what if...?" and "what I would have done?".
Misfit chose, as a summary, a perfect quotes:
There were characters I loved from the first sight, some characters needed some time, some I didn't like, some I hated. But all of them created a family similar (more or less) to many others that lived then. I watched them mature and grow old. And in my mind, I imagine that they (those who survived) were happy after the book ended (although knowing history I know that wasn't certain). My favourite were: Adam, David, Janos and Leo. I know, they are all men. Don't get it wrong, female characters were also marvelous, even Eva, but although I solidarized with Kati, Terez and Malie, I rooted for these four men.
If you want to see Hungary from a bit before IWW to a bit after IIWW - choose this one. It is long and sometimes rough but you will be able to feel those people, their world. You will see how and why (at least some of the reasons) the Austro-Hungarian Empire fell apart, how and why socialism (and Communism) appeared and grew there, why some of those changes were inevitable. And you will probably think about how different it could have been done. It was hard not to think constantly: "what if...?" and "what I would have done?".
Misfit chose, as a summary, a perfect quotes:
You think, because people must be fed, we should throw away our consciences?
Conscience is the privilege of those who are not hungry.
September 4, 2017
مادرم این کتاب رو زمانی که همسن و سال من (۱۶) بود، خونده بود و حالا همون نسخهی قدیمی رو به من داد تا بخونم. این کتاب داستان سه خانوادهی اشرافی مجارستانی رو در هنگام وقوع جنگ جهانی اول و دوم روایت میکنه. داستان از رفتن دو خواهر (خواهران جذاب فرانک) به یک مهمانی آغاز میشه. شروع کتاب داستان سبکی داره و راجع به عشقهای دورهی نوجوانی این دو خواهر صحبت میکنه و خلاصه به نظر نمیاد کتاب غمگینی باشه. با شروع کتاب کمی متعجب شدم مادرم اینقدر به این کتاب علاقه داشته و انگار داستان چیزی بیشتر از عشقهای نوجوانهای قرن ۲۰ام رو روایت نمیکنه. با وقوع جنگ جهانی اول همه چیز تغییر میکنه و مشکلات این سه خانواده شروع میشه و دچار سختیهای بسیار زیادی میشن کتاب از اون حال و هوای سطحی و سبکی درمیاد و به وقایع وحشتناک جنگ و مشکلات ناشی از اون، میپردازه.
از خوندن این کتاب خیلی لذت بردم و به کسانی که به رمان های تاریخی علاقهمند پیشنهاد میکنم این کتاب رو از دست ندید.
از خوندن این کتاب خیلی لذت بردم و به کسانی که به رمان های تاریخی علاقهمند پیشنهاد میکنم این کتاب رو از دست ندید.
June 11, 2022
وایی من انقدر این کتاب رو دوست داشتم که ۲ جلدی رو توی ۴ روز خوندمش و تموم شد، بعد از یه مدت خیلی زیادی بالاخره یه کتاب رمان عالی پیدا شد. داستان عشق و ویرانی در جنگ . چطوری به خاطر جنگ خانواده های پولدار تبدیل به فقیرانی بی پول میشوند و عشق هایشان نابود میشود. شاید این کتاب یکی از بهترین داستان ها در خصوص از دست رفتن زندگی ها و ثروت ها در جنگ باشه.
May 30, 2012
Read this book many years ago and I remember how much I loved it! Really good historical fiction!
January 2, 2011
It is a Hungarian Gone With the Wind tracing one generation through the Revolution through WWII. The cool part is 2/3 the way through the author, while providing hints before, identifies the primary family as Jewish. 600 pages is quite a bit of reading but the detail is what makes the story. The author leaves you with no question but nothing is over dwelt upon either. This sort of book would never make the cut with today's editors but I a so very glad I read it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 28, 2008
Not a light read, but absolutely worth it. This book is beautiful.
April 8, 2018
Buddy read with Nenia :)
What I think this book did best was capture a particular historical moment in time. It was dense with historical information and detailed, comparative socio-economic analysis of early 20th century Hungarian society. There was a lot of complexity to the class structure that the Ferencs and company were embedded in that I found interesting to read about.
However, as the cast expanded and as more time passed this felt more like a laundry list of names and events that didn't grip me emotionally as I think Pearson intended. As you can imagine with a book that covers both WWI and WWII there is some dark stuff here. Most of these characters are pretty miserable most of the time after the opening exposition ball (also, as you can imagine given the setting, not every character introduced survives to the end) and yet I never really felt their pain. The sprawling timeline, the size of the cast, the episodic structure and the even, somewhat textbook-y tone made this informative but not consistently stirring. I had moments of sympathy for Mali, Karoly, and Kati, I periodically raged against Eva and Felix, but beyond that I had no strong feelings about any of the other cast members. They were educational tools more than flesh and blood people to me.
For the novelty of the setting, the breadth of Pearson's research and some strong individual scenes I'd say this is worth checking out if you have a lot of free time on your hands but it's dryer than I thought it would be. Ultimately I'm glad I read it, hence three stars, but I wanted to be moved more.
What I think this book did best was capture a particular historical moment in time. It was dense with historical information and detailed, comparative socio-economic analysis of early 20th century Hungarian society. There was a lot of complexity to the class structure that the Ferencs and company were embedded in that I found interesting to read about.
However, as the cast expanded and as more time passed this felt more like a laundry list of names and events that didn't grip me emotionally as I think Pearson intended. As you can imagine with a book that covers both WWI and WWII there is some dark stuff here. Most of these characters are pretty miserable most of the time after the opening exposition ball (also, as you can imagine given the setting, not every character introduced survives to the end) and yet I never really felt their pain. The sprawling timeline, the size of the cast, the episodic structure and the even, somewhat textbook-y tone made this informative but not consistently stirring. I had moments of sympathy for Mali, Karoly, and Kati, I periodically raged against Eva and Felix, but beyond that I had no strong feelings about any of the other cast members. They were educational tools more than flesh and blood people to me.
For the novelty of the setting, the breadth of Pearson's research and some strong individual scenes I'd say this is worth checking out if you have a lot of free time on your hands but it's dryer than I thought it would be. Ultimately I'm glad I read it, hence three stars, but I wanted to be moved more.
April 29, 2018
Csardas, pronounced char-dash, is the Hungarian national dance and this story is set in Hungary beginning just before the outbreak of WWI and ending a few years after the end of WWII. I knew little about Hungary and it's involvement in these wars and this book gave me more insight. Hungary fought with the Empire, meaning the Austro-Hungarian empire, during the first war, and against the Third Reich in the second.
A family saga that centers on the Ferenc family and their closest relatives and friends. Being members of the bourgeoisie and of Jewish descent, much heartache and suffering comes to the family during WWII and the subsequent Russian control of the country. Not a happy ending for many, as was the case in real life, but the book does end with a promise of hope, peace and acceptance for those remaining.
It has been described as being like Gone with the Wind and indeed one of the 2 Ferenc sisters, Eva, reminded me of Scarlett, being beautiful, spoilt and selfish. Her sister, Amalia, known as Malie is her gentle, caring, older sister.
For those who like historical fiction, family sagas and romance.
A family saga that centers on the Ferenc family and their closest relatives and friends. Being members of the bourgeoisie and of Jewish descent, much heartache and suffering comes to the family during WWII and the subsequent Russian control of the country. Not a happy ending for many, as was the case in real life, but the book does end with a promise of hope, peace and acceptance for those remaining.
It has been described as being like Gone with the Wind and indeed one of the 2 Ferenc sisters, Eva, reminded me of Scarlett, being beautiful, spoilt and selfish. Her sister, Amalia, known as Malie is her gentle, caring, older sister.
For those who like historical fiction, family sagas and romance.
February 23, 2008
Compelling historical fiction from Central Europe.
This book combines several of my favorite characteristics:
- a wonderful means of escape to another world;
- historical fiction from a time and place I consistently find fascinating (mid-20th century; Central Europe - Hungary to be exact); and,
- a love story involving seriously interesting people.
What more could I ask for?
Read this for the story, and characters. Diane Pearson is a good, though not great writer.
The author is not Hungarian - but she does a great job of capturing Hungary/ Hungarians. A Hungarian friend of mine backs me up on this.
Pearson does a very nice job of portraying how the main characters grow over the course of their lifetimes (let's put it this way - some just get older, some grow up). It's a pleasure to follow their evolution.
This book combines several of my favorite characteristics:
- a wonderful means of escape to another world;
- historical fiction from a time and place I consistently find fascinating (mid-20th century; Central Europe - Hungary to be exact); and,
- a love story involving seriously interesting people.
What more could I ask for?
Read this for the story, and characters. Diane Pearson is a good, though not great writer.
The author is not Hungarian - but she does a great job of capturing Hungary/ Hungarians. A Hungarian friend of mine backs me up on this.
Pearson does a very nice job of portraying how the main characters grow over the course of their lifetimes (let's put it this way - some just get older, some grow up). It's a pleasure to follow their evolution.
February 21, 2012
Mama has a great belief in roses.
What a long, luxurious, readable novel. Epic, dramatic, seductive. I loved it. (I must say the writing is perfectly fine, nothing spectacular; this is just good story-telling.)
Keep this on the shelf next to The Invisible Bridge: fat Hungarian family histories.
And speaking of which, there's an old movie by Istvan Szabo in English also about three generations of a Hungarian family called "Sunshine" which I recommend, if anyone else is interested in this subject.
What a long, luxurious, readable novel. Epic, dramatic, seductive. I loved it. (I must say the writing is perfectly fine, nothing spectacular; this is just good story-telling.)
Keep this on the shelf next to The Invisible Bridge: fat Hungarian family histories.
And speaking of which, there's an old movie by Istvan Szabo in English also about three generations of a Hungarian family called "Sunshine" which I recommend, if anyone else is interested in this subject.
July 11, 2009
This is one of my all time favorite books. Having been married to a Jew at the time with a Mexican-Indian son, and a half-Black grandchild, I thought I would have felt like the woman who got on the truck when they loaded everyone she loved, to take to a concentration camp.
April 1, 2016
I read this book as a child and twice as an adult (I revisit stories that I love to see if my perspective shifts over time.) It is a beautiful story of the relationship of two sisters spanning World Wars I & II. Don't want to give out any spoilers. Highly recommended!
April 12, 2017
I first read this historical fiction saga almost 30 years ago. It was as good as I remember. If you can get your hands on a copy, I highly recommend it.
February 16, 2020
My attachment to Csardas is emotional - it's my mother's favourite book. A couple of years ago I bought her another copy as her original was falling apart. Please be aware this original copy still sits on her shelf, but now she has a copy she can read without it falling apart in her hands!
Another Goodreads reviewer, Orsolya who is actually Hungarian said this in her review, Pearson aptly named her novel “Csardas” as this is our most popular folk dance style and was used by the Hungarian army as a recruitment theme song. We associate many emotions and feelings with these music notes.
And Csardas leads you a merry dance from pre World War 1 Hungary, through both wars and beyond. Despite it's length, it moves along and the reader quickly becomes invested in the characters and their stories. From the wealthy land and business owners, to the military elite and grunts and the peasants of the land, Pearson follows the fates of various people and families and their trajectories as Hungary is swept with political and social change.
If you like well written, historical novels, grab Csardas. First released in 1975, it's an engaging story that has stood the test of time.
Another Goodreads reviewer, Orsolya who is actually Hungarian said this in her review, Pearson aptly named her novel “Csardas” as this is our most popular folk dance style and was used by the Hungarian army as a recruitment theme song. We associate many emotions and feelings with these music notes.
And Csardas leads you a merry dance from pre World War 1 Hungary, through both wars and beyond. Despite it's length, it moves along and the reader quickly becomes invested in the characters and their stories. From the wealthy land and business owners, to the military elite and grunts and the peasants of the land, Pearson follows the fates of various people and families and their trajectories as Hungary is swept with political and social change.
If you like well written, historical novels, grab Csardas. First released in 1975, it's an engaging story that has stood the test of time.
November 26, 2021
I read this book twenty years go when I was a teenager and had no clue about the WWs, nor Holocaust.
It changed my world in different ways. I became very curious about the wars in particular and what was still known as the eastern block rather than individual countries & culture groups.
Mind you, back in the late 1990s and early 2000s, Hungary, Poland, East Germany, Romania, Bulgaria, etc etc they were all still a block of unknown places and it was hard to imagine how distinct and unique each had been prior.
The curiosity took me places; in my imagination, books, and whatever material I could absorb to figure out how on earth all those things happened and no one seemed to care half a century later! My mind was blown, but I was very late to the show!
Besides, the story of both Eva and Malie formed some vague ideas about love and passion in my mind. They were so different and yet both had something to show me - a teenager- that love can have different forms. I would think about who I want to be when I grow up... More of a Malie or Eva? How horrific it would end though... The mark it had was quite distinct and I understood it vaguely; that everything was fluid: places, realities, people, and life itself was running away and I had to make most of it. Worse, horrific things would take place and life was still happening regardless.
At that point I set out for myself to see Budapest, Oswiecim, Warsaw, Berlin, Vienna, and more.
And so did I! I chose to move to Poland for my studies and swallowed all I could from history, culture, people, language, babcias and then entered into an enduring romance with a Pole... and deep down I was hoping to figure out what had happened to the Poles... and what marks it had left on a nation. I had already long forgotten the Ferenc sisters. I was aware of them somewhere in my heart when I visited Oswiecim, but it was blurry and hard to pin down.
Ironically, after my studies I fell in love with a man who lived in Budapest and so that started my passionate affair with Budapest itself. The glorious city that stole my heart and reminded me of Malie so much. Poor Malie.
I am re-reading this book again as the world is emerging from a pandemics that has shaken me in even newer ways and I find the book as captivating. This time a lot more touching. I have walked the Kiraly street a thousand times and I can imagine how Leo would perhaps come out to one of those art nouveau balconies and watch life happening & ceasing to happen.
It changed my world in different ways. I became very curious about the wars in particular and what was still known as the eastern block rather than individual countries & culture groups.
Mind you, back in the late 1990s and early 2000s, Hungary, Poland, East Germany, Romania, Bulgaria, etc etc they were all still a block of unknown places and it was hard to imagine how distinct and unique each had been prior.
The curiosity took me places; in my imagination, books, and whatever material I could absorb to figure out how on earth all those things happened and no one seemed to care half a century later! My mind was blown, but I was very late to the show!
Besides, the story of both Eva and Malie formed some vague ideas about love and passion in my mind. They were so different and yet both had something to show me - a teenager- that love can have different forms. I would think about who I want to be when I grow up... More of a Malie or Eva? How horrific it would end though... The mark it had was quite distinct and I understood it vaguely; that everything was fluid: places, realities, people, and life itself was running away and I had to make most of it. Worse, horrific things would take place and life was still happening regardless.
At that point I set out for myself to see Budapest, Oswiecim, Warsaw, Berlin, Vienna, and more.
And so did I! I chose to move to Poland for my studies and swallowed all I could from history, culture, people, language, babcias and then entered into an enduring romance with a Pole... and deep down I was hoping to figure out what had happened to the Poles... and what marks it had left on a nation. I had already long forgotten the Ferenc sisters. I was aware of them somewhere in my heart when I visited Oswiecim, but it was blurry and hard to pin down.
Ironically, after my studies I fell in love with a man who lived in Budapest and so that started my passionate affair with Budapest itself. The glorious city that stole my heart and reminded me of Malie so much. Poor Malie.
I am re-reading this book again as the world is emerging from a pandemics that has shaken me in even newer ways and I find the book as captivating. This time a lot more touching. I have walked the Kiraly street a thousand times and I can imagine how Leo would perhaps come out to one of those art nouveau balconies and watch life happening & ceasing to happen.
February 13, 2018
The rhythms of this great sweeping saga could not be more like the Csardas that I remember from my childhood. The men and women start separately, performing complicated steps, the men leaping like stags in a display of strength and prowess and the ladies, gracefully twirling, bedecked in their finest embroidery. The partners move together and join as couples into a joyous dance, but the music and dancing progressively increase in intensity, some must leave the floor while others manage to last to the end, and how often we are surprised by who will endure and who will not. And when the music stops, what of the weary couple who persevered to the end...love, maybe?
August 8, 2012
I ditto what 'Bivens' wrote: 'Read this book many years ago and I remember how much I loved it! Really good historical fiction!'
March 2, 2018
Terrible cover art. This is not a cheap romance novel. I picked up this book for a trip to Budapest not knowing much else about it. Great historical-fiction.
May 22, 2020
It is a story of an aristocratic Hungarian family fallen on hard times, spanning almost 40 years and two world wars. The beginning was a bit boring, I even put the book down for a while, but then it got better and towards the end I was feeling sorry that the story was almost done. Although the characters are a bit two-dimensional and the ending is slightly cheesy, but overall it was a satisfying read. If you like family sagas, I would recommend this book. 3,5 stars, rounded to 4.
June 25, 2021
This was a really good book about Hungary just before and after WW11. The story covers three very influential and wealthy families around this time in contrast to the peasant population that served them. The changes that sweep across Hungary during this time are monumental. The story involves the treatment of Jews as well as the war itself and the political situation in this era. It was a very engrossing and well written book - I loved it.
June 9, 2020
Fabulous book from before WW1 to the end of WW2 based in Hungary. Based largely on three aristocratic families and then one peasant family.
The rise of the peasant and the downfall of the aristocracy, it made for very interesting reading. Loved the history, the characters (maybe except for one)....and the ending.....just beautiful.
The rise of the peasant and the downfall of the aristocracy, it made for very interesting reading. Loved the history, the characters (maybe except for one)....and the ending.....just beautiful.
July 20, 2021
My grandmother loved this book and she lent it to me when I was a teenager. I remember how I loved it back then but only vaguely recalled what it was about. Hence the reason for rereading it now.
This is truly a remarkable story - it‘s like War and Peace and Gone With the Wind rolled into one.
It is a family saga about the Ferencs, primarily the two sisters Amalia and Eva. The story starts just before WW1 and ends just after WW2, so you learn about a crucial era in Hungary’s history.
The book is character-driven, little actually happens in the family’s life, apart from the momentous historic events. However, the characters are portrayed so vividly that they just come alive and they win your heart. I experienced a rollercoaster of emotions while reading.
In my opinion, the book is very underrated and deserves far more recognition. It doesn‘t help that the book cover makes it look like a cheap romance novel. There is romance in the story, but it is so much more than that. It’s historical fiction at its best. Perhaps if the cover were revamped and the title were to be elaborated on, it could be marketed so much more effectively as a profound historical fiction novel.
In any case, it is a 5-star read for me and I recommend it to anybody interested in early 20 th century history and Hungary.
This is truly a remarkable story - it‘s like War and Peace and Gone With the Wind rolled into one.
It is a family saga about the Ferencs, primarily the two sisters Amalia and Eva. The story starts just before WW1 and ends just after WW2, so you learn about a crucial era in Hungary’s history.
The book is character-driven, little actually happens in the family’s life, apart from the momentous historic events. However, the characters are portrayed so vividly that they just come alive and they win your heart. I experienced a rollercoaster of emotions while reading.
In my opinion, the book is very underrated and deserves far more recognition. It doesn‘t help that the book cover makes it look like a cheap romance novel. There is romance in the story, but it is so much more than that. It’s historical fiction at its best. Perhaps if the cover were revamped and the title were to be elaborated on, it could be marketed so much more effectively as a profound historical fiction novel.
In any case, it is a 5-star read for me and I recommend it to anybody interested in early 20 th century history and Hungary.
July 14, 2012
A random 50-cent pick at the flea market, just because the story seemed to be set in Hungary, and surprisingly this turned out to be rather good (the bright and tacky 1970's Finnish cover art wasn't very convincing). It started as light historical romance and gradually turned into a depiction of a whole era in Hungarian history, with interesting characters and a nicely flowing story. I started reading Csardas right after finishing The Devil's lieutenant, and history-wise Csardas pretty much picked up from where The Devil's Lieutenant ended, only moving from the Austro-Hungarian empire more clearly to Hungary.
My biggest complaint would (again) be the habit of writing Székesfehérvár as Szekesfehervar, Matrafüredi as Matrafuredi, János as Janos and so on. :-P
My biggest complaint would (again) be the habit of writing Székesfehérvár as Szekesfehervar, Matrafüredi as Matrafuredi, János as Janos and so on. :-P
January 18, 2016
کتاب چارداش با عنوان اشرافزادگان دلباخته در ایران رو سالها پیش خوندم. انقدر که یادم نمونده راهنمایی بودم یا دبیرستان که این کتاب رو از کتابخونه امانت گرفتم و خوندم. کتابی که با اینکه بسیار حجیم بود با سرعت بالا خوندمش و عاشقش شدم! هنوزم صحنهی برگشت یکی از خواهرها از هولوکاست جلوی چشممِ. زن زیبایی که با رفتن به اردوگاه هیچی ازش نموند. همسر و دو تا پسرش رو از دست داد و با دندونهای ریخته و مثل یه پیرزن به خونهش برگشت! خبر خوب اینجاست که این کتاب بعد از سالها تجدید چاپ شده! میدونم که حتماً این کتاب رو میخرم!
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