Temptation

Béla has never had much luck, being abandoned at birth and raised by his cruel Aunt Rozika. At fourteen, he is caught stealing a pair of shoes and his mother reluctantly takes him to Budapest. He secures a position at a grand old hotel, where he encounters people from different parts of society. The novel is a picaresque classic with a rich vein of bawdy humor, creating a stunning panorama of Hungarian society through the travails of its charming hero.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 688 pages
\n Publication date: 26 March 2020
\n Publisher: Pushkin Press
\n

Béla's life has been a series of unfortunate events. Born to a mother who abandoned him at birth to pursue a career in Budapest, he was left in the care of his dubious Aunt Rozika, a former prostitute who now runs a foster home with a mixture of haughtiness and cruelty. Despite being victimized and almost starved by his guardian, Béla must fight for every scrap of food and the right to attend school. At the age of fourteen, he is caught trying to steal a pair of shoes, and his mother is reluctantly forced to take him with her to Budapest.

Once in the capital, Béla manages to secure a position at a grand old hotel, where he encounters people from all walks of life, including the beautiful daughter of an American businessman and a passionate revolutionary. However, his newfound lifestyle brings with it both pleasures and perils, and Béla must navigate the divergent influences that surround him to forge his own path.

Temptation is a picaresque classic that deserves to be recognized as a masterpiece of twentieth-century fiction. Rich in detail, varied in its characters, and endlessly entertaining, the novel creates a stunning panorama of Hungarian society through the trials and tribulations of its singularly charming hero, Béla. The novel's humor is also a notable aspect, with its witty dialogue and ribald scenes adding to the overall appeal.

Despite its under-appreciation, Temptation remains a timeless work that continues to captivate readers with its vivid portrayal of human nature and the complexities of life. Its enduring popularity is a testament to the enduring power of great literature to transport us to different worlds, evoke emotions, and leave a lasting impact.

\n Weight: 560g\n
Dimension: 131 x 198 x 46 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781782275480\n \n