The Fawn

Magda Szabó is a renowned Hungarian writer of the twentieth century. Her fiction explores the struggles of modern Hungarian history from unique and insightful perspectives. Eszter Encsy is a celebrated actress who, despite her success, longs for acceptance of herself and her past. Born into poverty, she harbors a deep hatred for Angéla, her former classmate and the wife of her lover. The Fawn, set in 1950s Hungary under communist rule, delves into the lies and falsehoods people were forced to live with and showcases Szabó's remarkable ability to portray how the past can haunt and consume us.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 15 February 2024
Publisher: Quercus Publishing

Magda Szabó, a prominent writer of the 20th century, has left an indelible mark on Hungarian literature with her captivating fiction. Through her oblique yet insightful narratives, Szabó delves into the intricacies of modern Hungarian history, shedding light on its challenges and complexities. The New York Times has praised her work for its ability to "illuminate the travails of modern Hungarian history from oblique but sharply illuminating angles."

Eszter Encsy, an acclaimed actress known for her humor, wit, and quick-wittedness, also possesses a callous side. Despite her success in adulthood, Eszter yearns for acceptance of herself as she truly is and the person she has become. Growing up as the sole child of an impoverished aristocrat and a struggling music teacher, Eszter faced poverty and a deep sense of awareness of her circumstances in a provincial Hungarian town.

The resentment and envy she acquired during her difficult childhood have transformed into an obsessive hatred for Angéla, her former classmate, and the wife of the man who becomes her lover. Set against the backdrop of newly communist 1950s Hungary, The Fawn explores the lies and falsehoods people were compelled to live with during those nightmarish times. Through her masterful storytelling, Szabó showcases her remarkable ability to convey how the past can haunt and consume us.

Translated from the Hungarian by Len Rix, The Fawn has received critical acclaim and has been praised for its nuanced portrayal of the era. It serves as a testament to Szabó's talent as a writer and her ability to capture the essence of human experiences. Eszter Encsy's journey, filled with resentment, envy, and obsession, is a captivating exploration of the complexities of human emotions and the enduring impact of the past.

Weight: 204g
Dimension: 129 x 198 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781529425659