Novel
Abafi: Son of Aba
Abafi
Miklós Jósika · 1836
Opening lines
A szép Maros völgyében Alvincz a legkiesb falvak egyike Erdélyben.
In the beautiful valley of the Maros, Alvinc is one of the loveliest villages in Transylvania.
Translation by Erostrate
Text quoted from gutenberg.org
Synopsis
Transylvania, late sixteenth century, under Prince Zsigmond Báthory. Abafi Olivér, a young man of high birth, squanders his life in feasting and disorder. On the morning after a night of drinking, he comes across a lost child on his way and takes him back to his mother, Izidóra, daughter of the brigand chief Deli Markó, who from then on feels gratitude towards him. This act awakens what is best in him: he resolves to master his passions. Three women become attached to him, Izidóra, the young widow of Gyulafi and her niece Gizella, while tournaments, duels and war against the Turks follow.
Context
Completed after Zólyomi, the novel was published before it on the advice of friends: two volumes, in Pest, by Heckenast, in 1836. In his preface, the author presents it as a portrait of a soul, meant to show that a strong will overcomes every baseness; he follows the example of Walter Scott, and of Waverley in particular, even in the meticulous descriptions of landscapes, castles, costumes and weapons. A German translation appeared in Leipzig in 1838, another in Pest in 1839, and the Hungarian Academy awarded the book a eulogy.
Who it is for
Two volumes of romantic prose laden with descriptions; an English translation exists as an e-book, none in French has been located.
Prizes and reception
Hailed with a “Hats off, gentlemen!” that became proverbial, regarded as the first true Hungarian historical novel, and cited by Nikola Tesla as a book that forged his willpower.