sirinrob Posted January 22, 2010 Share Posted January 22, 2010 (edited) This is the third novel by Hungarian novelist Antal Szerb. It was completed in 1942, 2 years before his brutal death in a Nazi concentration camp. given the circumstances under which it was written it is surprisingly sunny intone. On the surface it is a madcap romp involving a king who is fed-up with being a king, plots his own coup, goes into exile, ends up in a gang of con-men, ends up impersonating himself and goes back to being king. The supporting characters are an eccentric bunch and the author has great fun with them. Under all the froth there are serious points made about self awareness, deception, the human condition. I really enjoyed this. It is written with a deft touch and finesse. I'm on the look out for the previous 2 novels, especially as one of them is set in Wales! Edited February 13, 2010 by sirinrob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anika Posted January 23, 2010 Share Posted January 23, 2010 This looks like an interesting read, and the sort of thing I'm currently in the mood for; a frivolous tale with a deeper message. I've been contemplating 'The Pendragon Legend' by this author which also seems like a book I'd probably like. I didn't know he'd written any others--thanks for mentioning them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sirinrob Posted January 23, 2010 Author Share Posted January 23, 2010 glad to have been of service the three novels in order of publication are 'The Pendragon Legend'. 'Journey by Moonlight' and 'Oliver VII'. The 'Queen's Necklace', which sometimes ends up being listed as fiction in fact is non-fiction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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