The story is set in the semi-independent Principality of Transylvania in the years 1661-1674, a time when its precarious existence hung in the balance of power between two empires: the Ottoman Empire and the Habsburg’s Holy Roman Empire, and a time when its reigning princes schemed with other European powers to win the thrones of Hungary and Poland.
In 1661, after the disastrous campaign of Prince György II Rákóczi to take the throne of Poland, the Ottoman Turks make Mihály Apafi the Reigning Prince of Transylvania. Hungary proper is occupied by the Ottomans and Habsburgs. Hungarian exiles are urging Transylvania to enter into a grand war of liberation. Apafi's powerful brother-in-law, Dénes Bánffy, the first lord of the Principality, and Pál Béldi, the commander of the Szekler forces, head the peace party.
The leading women in the novel are active participants in the historical events. Lady Apafi (Anna Bornemissza) is the brilliant and powerful force behind the reigning prince. Her younger sister, Lady Bánffy, is the steady conscience behind Bánff's impetuosity.
Bánffy's arrogance threatens the fragile peace with the Ottomans. Meanwhile, Mihály Teleki, the capable but devious Chancellor of Transylvania, plots another course for Transylvania.
The book is a psychological novel with historical characters that have depth and evolve as the plot develops; a fantasy with detailed descriptions of exotic oriental pleasure palaces set in the remote mountains the northern Carpathians and of Transylvania; a romance with plenty of passion, betrayal, and reconciliation; a swashbuckler with bold, proud heroes and dangerous intrigues; and a comedy with ribald humor and subtle satire. The fantasy scenes are an allegory, and the underlying themes are hubris and the seductions of wielding and manipulating power.
Connections develop as the novel progresses, and seemingly inconsequential details and the occasional obvious clue assume necessary significance as events unfold. Jókai’s descriptions of the characters’ emotions and thoughts bring the scenes to life in the reader’s mind.
To read Jókai’s novel is to be drawn into an understanding of a fascinating era in history when religious persecution and wars plagued Europe, but Transylvania was one of the few European countries where Roman Catholics, Calvinists, Lutherans, Unitarians, and Orthodox lived in mutual tolerance.
This modern English translation of The Golden Age in Transylvania (2021) by T. László Palotás is available from Amazon (The Golden Age in Transylvania) in both paperback ($16) and ebook ($8).
No comments:
Post a Comment