Caged Metal Feathers

by Stephan Horvath

Coming of age in dangerous times Caged Metal Feathers is a true story based on the memoirs of the author, who came of age in the thick of the bloody Hungarian Uprising of 1956. From piloting gliders to escaping Soviet invaders to lobbing bombs at enemy tanks on the streets of Budapest, Istvan survives one potential disaster after another. After escaping a Soviet holding camp, Istvan and three of his friends must part company, and Istvan is off on another set of adventures that mark his journey from youth to manhood. Filled with adventure and compassion, Caged Metal Feathers is a fascinating look into the lives of the courageous Hungarian heroes who took on the Soviet army.

218 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2004

Reviews

[Stanley B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is about the author Stephan Istvan Horvath (his friends called him Pista) growing up in Hungary during WWII and the later Soviet occupation. In late 1956, he participated in the uprising against the Soviets. When the uprising failed, he had to flee the country or be sent to a Soviet prison camp. He escaped with his older brother Laci. Pista’s friend Feri came, too.

The book is written in a creative non-fiction style meaning the author provides a series of narratives (dialogue, detailed description, etc.) about real events. At the end of each narrative, he provides more background information.

The author writes about the drama as a young boy living through the WWII bombings. He writes about the suspense of evading the Soviets as he travels from east of Budapest to the Austrian border – following rumors that freedom was possible.

Some of the narratives are funny, others have people disappearing from Pista’s life without him ever knowing their fate. When he is eighteen, he, Laci, and Feri make it to the United States and eventually Los Angeles, CA.

Pista was a mischievousness and adventurous boy in a country that saw much change. He grew up witnessing danger and death. He survived and raised a family who he took to visit his relatives still in Hungary.

P.S. I bought this book at the Next Chapter Books and Arts store in New Bern, NC. Mary Jo has a wide selection of local authors and I have found that many, like this author, have written books that are better than most popular bestsellers.

[Caitlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

My grandpa (Fari in the book) is on the cover, (on the far right), he and Stephan Horvath were friends and escaped Hungry together so this book has a special meaning to me. I love books about my heritage, and would highly recommend this one, it gives you a picture of what Hungry and family life looked like leading up to the war and revolt, and is a much gentler story compared to The Bridge at Andau, (which I also loved).