Never too Late to Read Classics discussion

Our book for November is Skylark by Dezső Kosztolányi .

I bought this book several years ago after it was recommended by member Pillsonista and nominated it to be read here. I will be reading it in about 10 days (after finishing Nana)

After They Were Found Wanting - They Were Divided by Miklós Bánffy and Journey by Moonlight by Antal Szerb, this is our 3rd Hungarian in the 2020 Classics in Translation thread. I may try the non-classic The Door by Magda Szabó someday too.

It's good to hear you will be reading the book, Brian.
I haven't read anything by Magda Szabo but I've heard good things about her work.

Rosemarie wrote: "It's good to hear you will be reading the book, Brian."

Another factor in favor of taking the time to read Skylark - it's short!!

That's always a factor, unless one has time to read a long novel.

I'll be reading this too. I've liked all those Hungarian authors. Magda Szabo is on my TBR also.

That's good to hear, Kathy.

FINISHED CHAPTER 4

I just started this morning and wanted to mention that the Chapters each have a little blurb describing what the chapter will show ala the style of 18th century and early 19th century British literature. I especially remember them from Tom Jones. While I often thought these blurbs told us too much about the upcoming events, I find them warmly comforting here.

After just finishing Zola's Nana, and recently reading Zweig's The Post-Office Girl, I am enjoying reading about a less physically attractive young woman with much different traits and attributes, along with her relatively simple and inelegant parents.

I bought this book last year for the exorbitant price of £2.49, and when i'm finished with the Golden Notebook then I'll start it.

It's nice to find book bargains!

FINISHED THE BOOK - MY REVIEW

I very much enjoyed this outwardly simple novel about simple people. I won’t describe the plot since what I enjoyed most about the book's story was that it was unexpected. I had read the description about 2 years ago but forgot the plot summary by the time I started it. I’ll put my comments in spoilers.
(view spoiler)[ I thought the book would be about Skylark yet it is more about her parents and the contrast with their life while Skylark lives with them and when she is gone for a week. In this way, Skylark is similar to Lorna Doone in that they are the titled characters but the books are not really about them. They earn the titles because they are the catalyst for the actions and emotions of the more central characters. The book also somewhat reminded me of Zweig’s Beware of Pity in its examination of the not-great consequences of what should be positive attributes. I thought the impact of Skylark on her parents’ life was best described by the fact her cooking was spiceless and bland. (hide spoiler)] I thought the author was successful in creating an interesting look at some fairly nondescript people. It was partially tragic, partially comic but ultimately left me somewhat melancholic. While I was greatly impressed by the author's ability to portray these characters in this manner, my feelings are slightly lower than love for the book, although it could grow into it upon further reflection. Thus, a 4 star read for now.

I agree with your comments in your spoiler, Brian. (view spoiler)[As I was reading, I wondered what the effect of Skylark coming home would be. The story ended before we could completely find out, but I think it will go back to the old life before Skylark was absent for a week. (hide spoiler)] Maybe that's the source of the melancholy which I felt also.

(view spoiler)[I thought the actions of Akos, especially, were outrageously funny until he went home with pockets full of money, dead drunk, and screamed all he felt about Skylark over the years. Sad. (hide spoiler)]

The chapter heading "in which, after several years in the making, the great day of reckoning finally arrives, and our heroes receive from life the solace and just deserts that come to each and every one of us" really sums it all up!

A very enjoyable book.

I'm glad you both enjoyed the book, Kathy and Brian.