I first learned about Sándor Márai’s Embers
Embers itself is an unbelievably simple and powerful story, with just three main characters, one of whom is dead but who appears in flashbacks. The two living characters, both now in their mid-70s, meet for the first time in forty-one years as the visitor, Konrad, has returned from a self-imposed exile. Henrik, his host and formerly his closest friend, receives Konrad with cold hospitality and a long but spellbinding harangue on their friendship, Konrad’s exile, and the event that triggered Henrik’s flight.
There’s almost no action, and what action there is occurs in cut scenes where we meet Krisztina, the late wife of Henrik, and discover the key differences in Konrad’s and Henrik’s upbringings. Márai replaces action with the gradual unfolding of secrets and the stories that bound the three characters together and then drove them apart. Along the way, Henrik muses (to Konrad) on the nature of anger, betrayal, and vengeance. It’s a deep psychological novel in the tradition of Tolstoy or Dostoevsky, but in a much more manageable package. For those of you still in school, it would lend itself well to an analysis of how Marai uses environmental factors such as light, temperature, and weather to reflect or even set the moods of the book’s various scenes.
To say more of the characters would be to risk spoiling the plot, if I haven’t done too much of that already. If you can stand a book that is all talk and no action, but is gripping all the same, Embers is worth the three or four hours it will take you to tear through it.
Keith, what other non-Russian Eastern European writers do you like? Have you read any Kundera? Although written in English and wildly controversial because of autobiographical claims and what some view as a possible fraud, I highly recommend The Painted Bird by Jerzy Kosinski. It is powerful stuff whether entirely fictional or based in some truth.
To clarify my question, I mean more modern Eastern European writers, not Conrad or Kafka.
Keith – I’m thrilled that you enjoyed the book. After seeing your Top-100, it seemed like something that you would enjoy.
Without going into much more detail so as to not spoil the story, I think your review is spot on. (Reviews about books like this are hard to write without giving too much away, but you did a fine job.) I’m glad you emphasized the author’s attention to detail and scene; it’s the layers—the characters, the setting, the sensory details, the pace—that make this book one of my favorites.
What did you think about the political backdrop? I thought there was a certain romanticism in how it was described that was really interesting, given the plot.
Keith –
I’m surprised to see that Amazon has this available for the Kindle. Did you read the Janeway translation your link pointed to (which one of the reviews claims was a double translation, from Hungarian to German to English) or was it another one?
Kevin: Yes, I read the double translation. Not ideal, but Hungarian and English aren’t in the same language family and I imagine there are few translators capable of doing the job.
Amy: I guess that part didn’t have much effect on me, because I’m not bringing the political backdrop to mind. Of course, that could be the 20+ hours without sleep, too.
JKG: I’m not sure I’ve read any post-WWII Eastern European writers. A writer friend of mine has recommended Kundera, and I have The Good Soldier Svejk on my wish list (although that may be pre-WWII).
How were the prices in Hungary when you went? Is it still cheap? I worked in Hungary, probably the best year of my life. The language is deeply bizarre and definitely not related to English.
Been wanting to read Embers since it was rediscovered. I think I heard a review of it on the radio, actually.
I am surprised that the Unbearable Lightness of Being did not make this list. Definitely going to check out Embers.
Hightower, I was in Budapest this past December and it is still relatively cheap since they have not converted to the Euro. Had a bunch of nice meals, apps, entree, wine, etc and it was never more than $100.
Hey Keith, this comment is unrelated to your post but I’ve been trying to find your email address on here and haven’t had any luck. I’m a student who got bored and came up with a new way to rank baseball relievers that, I think, more accurately reflects their impact on the team than the dumb save rule. I’m not expecting to make any money or get famous off it, but I read your espn chats and you seem cool, so I thought maybe I could run it by you and get a critique. If you can please email me and I’ll try to explain it as fast as possible so I don’t take up much of your time. Thanks.