Antal Szerb

Antal Szerb was a Hungarian scholar and writer, born on May 1, 1901, in Budapest. He is best known for his contributions to Hungarian literature, particularly his novels and essays. Szerb's most famous works include 'Journey by Moonlight' (Utas és holdvilág) and 'The Pendragon Legend' (A Pendragon-legenda), which are celebrated for their sophisticated style and deep psychological insights. Despite his Jewish heritage, Szerb was baptized into the Catholic Church, but during World War II, he was persecuted by the Nazis. He died on January 27, 1945, in a forced labor camp. His legacy continues to influence Hungarian literature and culture.

Books

This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.

  1. 1. Journey by Moonlight

    Cover of 'Journey by Moonlight' by Antal Szerb

    "Journey by Moonlight" tells the story of a newlywed Hungarian couple, Mihály and Erzsi, who honeymoon in Italy. Mihály, however, is haunted by his past and becomes increasingly obsessed with his adolescent years, his old friends, and a mysterious brother and sister. This results in him abandoning Erzsi in order to embark on a strange and dark journey of self-discovery. The novel explores themes of nostalgia, love, and the struggle between personal desires and societal expectations.

  2. 2. The Pendragon Legend

    Cover of 'The Pendragon Legend' by Antal Szerb

    In "The Pendragon Legend," a young academic from London is drawn into a world of esoteric mysteries and occult practices when he visits a friend's ancient Welsh estate. The narrative weaves together elements of gothic horror, romantic adventure, and comedic intrigue as the protagonist encounters a colorful cast of characters, including a beautiful cousin, a secretive uncle, and a charismatic count. As he delves deeper into the family's history and the local legends of the Pendragons, he finds himself entangled in a plot involving alchemy, ancestral curses, and a secret society, leading to a series of thrilling and supernatural events that challenge his rational worldview.