Never too Late to Read Classics discussion

Everyone is welcome to join us in our buddy read of They Were Divided by Miklós Bánffy.
This book is Volume Three in The Transylvanian Trilogy.
Volume One is They Were Counted .
Volume Two is They Were Found Wanting.
These books take place in the Austro-Hungarian Empire in the times leading up to World War One.

I'll be joining in to finish this trilogy. These books have romance, politics, interpersonal relations, religion, all revolving around the same aristocratic families.

FINISHED PART ONE - SPOILERS
While I am pleased to rejoin this family saga, I confess to slight disappointments with two of the plot developments:
1) LILI - Most of me hoped that Balint could adjust to the realities and accept a marriage with young Lili - she seems delightful, but he just can't quit Adrienne. I guess it is a better result for the melancholy feel of the book, but I was hoping for some happiness. This is a development that is responsive to true love, but then so was Romeo and Juliet's plot.
2. AZBEJ - I was looking for Azbej to get his comeuppance and, now that he has quit, I'm not sure it is to be. The two housekeeper/spies also seem to have adapted to survive.

Since this trilogy does not seem to be a 'happily ever after' book, these are just slight disappointment and I am content with the way the book is developing. I'm just confessing to a desire for better things for Balint. I await Lazlo's story.

A general comment. This has no spoilers and refers to the first two volumes.
People compare this trilogy to other authors' work, including Trollope. As my other fiction read right now is a Trollope I found one reader's review interesting.
This reader said if someone preferred Trollope's Barsetshire series, they would prefer They Were Counted and if one preferred the Palliser series, they would prefer They Were Found Wanting. I presume this is because of the greater emphasis on politics in volume two. I enjoyed both very much and find it hard to choose between the two.
I like both Trollope and Banffy but they are different in feel for me. This Trilogy is more elegant and melancholy, almost elegiac, in presenting its characters and story. Trollope's is a more straightforward presentation with social commentary.

I haven't started reading yet since I am planning to finish a couple of short books I am reading, Brian. I enjoyed novels one and two for the same reasons you mentioned.

Rosemarie wrote: "I haven't started reading yet since I am planning to finish a couple of short books I am reading,

As an aside, what do you think of Rider Haggard's work?

I thought King Solomon's Mines was okay once it got past the big game hunting scenes, but She is a real slog so far. But they have just arrived in Africa so it should pick up. It's enthralling next to Max Havelaar, whose introductory chapters were way to long. I am about to start the actual part set in Indonesia, so it should pick up. Clair rated it four stars and others five, if that means anything.

Rosemarie wrote: "She is a real slog so far.... Clair rated it four stars and others five, if that means anything."

It means nothing as to what you actually think of it and end up rating it, but it does mean you will read on as it gives you hope that the book may improve.
EDIT: Even if it ends with disappointment, that hope gives you a good feeling.

That is exactly it, Brian!

No Spoilers: After reading some Goodreads reviews, I previously said:

"People compare this trilogy to other authors' work, including Trollope...I like both Trollope and Banffy but they are different in feel for me. This Trilogy is more elegant and melancholy, almost elegiac, in presenting its characters and story. Trollope's is a more straightforward presentation with social commentary.."

I then went ahead and did what I don't normally do and read the forward by Patrick Leigh Fermor who writes:

"The part played by politics reminds me of Trollope or Disraeli....the country scenes in Transylvania, oddly enough remind me of Hardy."

Writing that is part Trollope and part Hardy - of course it appeals to me!

FINISHED PART TWO - VERY SMALL SPOILERS
Just a few comments:
1) I thought Regina was an unusual name for a young Hungarian Jew;
2) Laszlo exhibits the selfish behavior typical of an addict;
3) I am reminded of how sensual, at least to me, Banffy writes his love scenes.

I am half way through Max Havelaar, which is getting more interesting, and plan on starting They Were Divided on Friday at the latest.

I've read 4 pages so far, but hope to get going soon. I'm having a hard time concentrating on reading right now. I have about 6 books on-going but haven't been able to finish any. Maybe today!

Kathy, I know what you mean about having a hard time concentrating right now. But the library won't be charging overdue fines on books because they're closed so I have an extra week, at least, to read the book.

Rosemarie wrote: "I am half way through Max Havelaar, which is getting more interesting."

See, having hope sometimes pays off. Unless your comment actually means "that's only because it certainly couldn't get any less interesting."

Brian wrote: "FINISHED PART TWO - VERY SMALL SPOILERS
Just a few comments:
1) I thought Regina was an unusual name for a young Hungarian Jew;
2) Laszlo exhibits the selfish behavior typical of an addict;
3) I am..."

I've always felt that Bánffy chose it for the tragic irony of giving the Jewish character a name that means 'queen' while also illustrating one of the common practices of assimilation during that era: the conscientious use of "non-Jewish" names Jews would give to themselves and especially their children.

It is more interesting due to the character Max Havelaar. The narrator of the frame story is just as annoying as ever and now I am hoping he will get what he deserves at the end of the book.

DaytimeRiot wrote: "I've always felt that Bánffy chose it for the tragic irony of giving the Jewish character a name that means 'queen' while also illustrating one of the common practices of assimilation during that era: the conscientious use of "non-Jewish" names Jews would give to themselves and especially their children. "
Interesting observation, DR. It is very much seeking assimilation to use a non-Jewish name commonly used by Christians to honor Mary. (Although Regina, Saskatchewan honors 'Queen' Victoria)

FINISHED PART 3 -SPOILERS

This section starts with 30+ pages of political developments which, while both necessary and interesting, felt a bit long of a break from the other plot lines. However, it felt good to see the return of the Romanian peasants and the bad guy Hungarian notary, Simo, as I had forgotten that plot line, which I thought was an interesting one in the previous book.

Brian wrote: "FINISHED PART ONE - SPOILERS
While I am pleased to rejoin this family saga, I confess to slight disappointments with two of the plot developments:
1) LILI - Most of me hoped that Balint could adjus..."

FINISHED PART ONE - SPOILERS
I've finished Part One and I agree, Brian. At the end on They Were Found Wanting I though Balint would marry Lili. Now the same old AB and Adrienne plot!

Finished Part One:
SPOILERS:
I am glad that Balint and his mother get along better now. Laszlo seems to be in a really bad way.

Non-spoilers:
The author describes the landscape in an almost poetical way. The love of his home, Transylvania, is really obvious in part one.

Fredi is injured in his duel with Kamuthy and sees the Comte d'Eu at the train station:

"It did not help Fredi's good humour that the Comte d’Eu, instead of going at once to his grand sleeping compartment, insisted on waiting on the platform for Fredi to arrive, and when he did plied him with such solicitous enquiries that Fredi was forced to go into endless untrue explanations to excuse the condition he found himself in, for it would hardly have done for the general-secretary of the Anti-Duelling League to admit to having settled an affair of honour with sabres on the very evening that the league had held its first meeting in Kolozsvar."

FINISHED PART 4 -SPOILERS
There were 2 resolutions of plot lines in this Section: Balint's relations with his mother and Balint versus Simo the corrupt notary. Bothw ere brought to satisfying resolutions. I thought the Countess's end was endearingly well-handled.
Simo's story had a very thorough build up to a more abrupt resolution. It seemed too quick and easy for me but then again, it was the ultimate end I desired and perhaps a more drawn out ending court scene may not have worked as well as I would have hoped.

Kathy, that chapter about the Non-duelling Society was funny.

FINISHED PART 2
Adrienne visits her daughter, Clemmie, at her boarding school. We get a better picture of what Clemmie is like.

The Kolozsvar Bal des Têtes charity ball highlights different relationships, especially among the Alvincey family, and the Laczok brothers. And, of course, Adrienne's headdress was most lovely.

I have finished the chapter with the ball. It made me think of how different their world was going to be in a few years. And how some of them would not be able to survive, even if they didn't get killed.
Even though Banffy doesn't describe the conditions of the poor the way Dickens and Zola did, it is obvious that many of the people at the ball are unaware of what the real world is like, including the politicians.
Of course, it was the same in England as well-the end of an era.

The rich and privileged were dancing away while the world was crumbling.

FINISHED THE WHOLE BOOK -SPOILERS
some comments:
(view spoiler)[ 1) While I greatly enjoyed the trilogy, the third book was not as strong as the first two, However this is to be expected, as one knew that a book that culminated in WWI and the end of Austria-Hungary would not have a happily-ever-after ending. The whole book had a more sorrowful melancholy feeling which even if anticipated made it a bit less enjoyable than the preceding books. Other factors contributing to the sad experience:
a) Laszlo's demise: In the first book, he was the more interesting character, with his loves and carousing. This continued into the second book where he gradually regressed until the end; still a very interesting story, In this third book, he is very far down at the start and we only witness the further deterioration of his life until death. And we actually only witness Laszlo through the eyes and thoughts of others and, unlike the previous books, we never get to see things from his point of view. Although Regina was an interesting side character, it was not as an enjoyable or compelling experience as reading about Laszlo in the first two books.
b) Balint/Addy; while I did like Balint as the character one could identify with, when Balint showed he would not quit pursuing Addy, one knew there would be no good end to it all. It was only a question of how. While at least neither party died, Balint looks likely not to have heirs so, besides Balint being sad and lonely if not dead in the war, the family line will die. He missed the boat when he didn't take up with darling Lili.
2. I'm glad they ended the story before doing any war scenes. It wasn't needed. However, I found myself wishing they had something like at the end of some movies that said, " Balint was killed in the battle of_____" or "Balint served bravely in the War and lived alone for years in Denestornya," My only hope for better from Balint is that, if he is modeled a bit on the author, then maybe he had a good government life after the war.
3.As I did enjoy this very much, if I live long enough, I could see rereading it in 15 years. (hide spoiler)]

I just finished Part Two.

Adam's brothers remind me of some of the shiftless characters in The Way We Live Now. Good thing Margit has common sense and the strength to say No!

I just finished Part three. The last chapter was like the calm before the storm. The description on the sunrise was very poetical.
But the sun is rising on the end of an era, but most of the characters are still oblivious to what is going on all around them and focussed on local affairs.

I finished Part 4. Balint's mother is deteriorating and Balint was worried. "Only this was real to him: this and the beauty of Denestornya in spring." Banffy is very poetic in describing the beautiful natural setting.

The (view spoiler)[last day of Countess Roza was very moving with all the people and even the horses paying respects to her. (hide spoiler)]

Kathy, I just finished reading that part. That scene was very moving.

PART IV ENDING - SPOILERS
I agree. As I said in a previous post, "the Countess's end was endearingly well-handled." It was both descriptive and poignant and I found my eyes watering at the end of the scene even though for most of the trilogy the Countess was not always an endearing character. But she was endearing during this final volume.

I have just finished the book and your final thoughts on the book are pretty well the same as mine. I liked this book but not as much as the other two.
Banffy's descriptions of nature were very poetic and striking.

Ending the book with a sunset was a very symbolic touch.

I've finished also and enjoyed this melancholy end to the series. I agree that I enjoyed the first two books more, but it was inevitable that this 3rd book would be sad, since we know what happened to Austria-Hungary,

I think the author loved his country; his description of the countryside are so beautiful.

His love of his country really shows in the loving descriptions of nature and towns.

After the war, Transylvania became part of Romania, but it still maintained the diversity of cultures until after World War 2, when it became part of the Soviet bloc and the Romanian culture dominated. Many places got new Romanian names.

That's interesting, Rosemarie. Now that Romania isn't part of the Soviet bloc, how has life changed for Transylvania?

We went on a Danube cruise in 2006, starting in Romania. The country is very poor but people were very happy to be free. We took a bus trip into the eastern part of Transylvania, to Brasov where they have "Dracula's" castle. The scenery is beautiful, especially the mountains.
I am sure the country has changed by now, but in 2006 they were cutting hay with scythes and used horses for farming. The pay for teachers was very low- the equivalent of 200 Euros per month.

Wow. I hope the country is more developed now. I'd like to see the mountains there.

We saw the mountains from the airplane as we were flying to Bucharest. It was amazing. The towns there are all strung out along the highways instead of having intersecting streets like here.