The Pendragon Legend
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Szerb was fluent in German and English and greatly interested in unusual religious beliefs. His knowledge of Rosicrucianism and the occult informs this often very funny book, which takes many affectionate potshots at the period's popular fiction. Szerb, who produced a history of English literature, knew his Shakespeare, Blake and Milton, but also the frothier writings of John Buchan, Edgar Wallace and P G Wodehouse. --PAUL BAILEY The Independent
The novel shoots back and forth between London and Wales; and, quite astonishingly, there is not a false note in it. (...) Szerb is a master novelist, a comedian whose powers transcend time and language (again, thanks to Rix for his tender approach to the source material), and a playful, sophisticated intellect. (...) There is so much in this book that it is impossible to summarise, except to say that it is a romp, but one which romps within itself; it has fun with the conventions, and has fun with having fun with them, too. It is an absolute treat, deliciously ludic, to be read with a big smile on your face throughout. --NICHOLAS LEZARD The Guardian
Szerb belongs with the master novelists of the 20th century. PAUL BAILEY Daily Telegraph -- May Szerb's entry into our literary pantheon be definitive. ALBERTO MANGUEL Financial Times -- A writer of immense subtlety and generosity, with an uncommonly light touch which masks its own artistry. His novels transform farce into poetry, comic melancholy into a kind of self-effacing grace. Can literary mastery be this quiet-seeming, this hilarious, this kind? Antal Szerb is one of the great European writers. ALI SMITH -- Szerb, however, aware that gothic literature had long become its own parody, played his story for laughs. The result is a dark tale of spiritual quest told in the style of the Marx brothers. --ALBERTO MANGUEL Financial Times
The novel shoots back and forth between London and Wales; and, quite astonishingly, there is not a false note in it. (...) Szerb is a master novelist, a comedian whose powers transcend time and language (again, thanks to Rix for his tender approach to the source material), and a playful, sophisticated intellect. (...) There is so much in this book that it is impossible to summarise, except to say that it is a romp, but one which romps within itself; it has fun with the conventions, and has fun with having fun with them, too. It is an absolute treat, deliciously ludic, to be read with a big smile on your face throughout. --NICHOLAS LEZARD The Guardian
Szerb belongs with the master novelists of the 20th century. PAUL BAILEY Daily Telegraph -- May Szerb's entry into our literary pantheon be definitive. ALBERTO MANGUEL Financial Times -- A writer of immense subtlety and generosity, with an uncommonly light touch which masks its own artistry. His novels transform farce into poetry, comic melancholy into a kind of self-effacing grace. Can literary mastery be this quiet-seeming, this hilarious, this kind? Antal Szerb is one of the great European writers. ALI SMITH -- Szerb, however, aware that gothic literature had long become its own parody, played his story for laughs. The result is a dark tale of spiritual quest told in the style of the Marx brothers. --ALBERTO MANGUEL Financial Times
The Guardian, June 17, 2006
'It is an absolute treat, deliciously ludic, to be read with a big smile on your face throughout'
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is tremendous fun, quite unputdownable. A young Hungarian in 1930s London is invited to an isolated castle by a mysterious aristocrat and becomes caught up in murderous conspiracies, spooky goings-on and the search for the secrets of the Rosicrucians.
It's both thriller and comedy, and by turns genuinely funny and genuinely gripping and eerie. A lot of the fun comes from the narrator's bemused but affectionate Mitteleuropean take on the English types he encounters. The characters are lively and there's an agreeable sense of the author being a sophisticated mind on holiday.
I hate to sound moronic but someone should probably turn this into a film; or better, tone down the somewhat gruesome ending and make it into a BBC Christmas drama. Hugely enjoyable.
It's both thriller and comedy, and by turns genuinely funny and genuinely gripping and eerie. A lot of the fun comes from the narrator's bemused but affectionate Mitteleuropean take on the English types he encounters. The characters are lively and there's an agreeable sense of the author being a sophisticated mind on holiday.
I hate to sound moronic but someone should probably turn this into a film; or better, tone down the somewhat gruesome ending and make it into a BBC Christmas drama. Hugely enjoyable.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book is simply a wonderful read. We follow Hungarian scholar, Janos Bakty, from his studies at the Reading Room of the British Museum to the family seat of the reclusive Earl of Gwynedd. Apparently, this novel was based on a year that the author spent in England and his bemused reaction, and affection, for the country shines through. The real story begins with the hero meeting the Earl and being invited to study the rare volumes in his library. After this introduction Bakty meets, he thinks by chance, a fellow traveller to the castle and is also warned by telephone not to go. He is concerned about this warning, but also feels ashamed when he admits as much to a friend, who considers such considerations less than manly. Things become more and more bizarre as the book continues - for the Earl is in danger. There is a great cast of characters in this novel, which manages to be serious and also mocking at the same time. Every time Bakty steps into danger we want to stop him, but the twists and turns of the plot are so delightful that you also never want it to end. Bakty is based on the author and his gentle nature and the ironic humour aimed at his own failings make you delight in his company. It also makes it more tragic that this man, who created such joyous and intelligent literature, was killed in a Nazi labour camp. His work means he will never be forgotten and I am certainly grateful that I have discovered his books.
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The Pendragon Legend is an Hungarian novel from 1930s, but the story isn't particularly Hungarian. A Hungarian researcher and bibliophile János Bátky is introduced to the Earl of Pendragon and is invited to study the books in his exquisite library. Bátky soon learns that getting involved with the Pendragons can be dangerous: he is threatened by mysterious forces and many strange events happen at the Pendragon manor. Antihero Bátky is an outsider who gets drawn into quite a mess.
The story is a strange mixture of gothic horror story and light comedy. The Earl Pendragon is a gloomy old gentleman and the history of the family features legendary characters. Rosicrucianism plays an important role in the story. The Finnish publisher advertises the book as Da Vinci Code published 60 years before Dan Brown's novel. This is advertising, of course, but the books belong in the same genre.
The Pendragon Legend is a charming story. It's not high literature, but the plot is clever, Bátky is a lovely lead character and the story has a good vibe to it. I also enjoyed the old-fashioned atmosphere of the 1930's England, and the translator did a good job capturing that in the language used. The Pendragon Legend is a tasty mystery with flavours of horror and occult. (Review based on the Finnish translation.)
The story is a strange mixture of gothic horror story and light comedy. The Earl Pendragon is a gloomy old gentleman and the history of the family features legendary characters. Rosicrucianism plays an important role in the story. The Finnish publisher advertises the book as Da Vinci Code published 60 years before Dan Brown's novel. This is advertising, of course, but the books belong in the same genre.
The Pendragon Legend is a charming story. It's not high literature, but the plot is clever, Bátky is a lovely lead character and the story has a good vibe to it. I also enjoyed the old-fashioned atmosphere of the 1930's England, and the translator did a good job capturing that in the language used. The Pendragon Legend is a tasty mystery with flavours of horror and occult. (Review based on the Finnish translation.)
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
charming
It was a true delight find this author - in an age where unlikeable heroes and villains abound the undulating charm of the characters was a true pleasure. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Mr. H. T. James
sweetly silly
This is a charmingly absurd novel, which follows the fortunes of Janos Batky, an engaging dilettante, as he becomes entangled with the family of the reclusive Earl of Gwynedd, a... Read more
Published 15 months ago by Sarah A. Brown
An enjoyable read
If you can imagine PG Wodehouse with a gothic twist, this gives you an idea of this book. Great 3-dimensional characters, evocative descriptions of Welsh countryside, and some gems... Read more
Published on 17 Feb 2010 by M. Rumble
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