Release date is 2022-08-29

Albert László from page images generously made available by the Google Books Library Project

"N. N. (Egy szerelem-gyermek): Regényke" by Gyula Krúdy is a novel written in the early 20th century." The story is centered around the enigmatic character known only as N. N., who reflects on his past and the lives of those he encounters, revealing a sense of nostalgia for a bygone era where people seem to live in a routine existence punctuated by rituals, relationships, and the ever-present specter of mortality. The narrative is deeply introspective and lyrical, embarking on philosophical explorations of love, life, and the human condition. "The opening of the novel introduces N. N. as he spends time in a tavern, reflecting on the changing world around him." Set against a backdrop of winter in Hungary, he observes the mundane existence of those who frequent the tavern, characterized by their indifference to life’s fleeting moments. Through poetic imagery and rich descriptions, Krúdy paints a picture of a world where time seems to stand still, and the characters are trapped in a cycle of monotony and melancholy. The narrator reminisces about his past, including a bittersweet connection to his mother and the comfort he once found in the presence of a diligent maid, hinting at unresolved emotions and the search for affectionate bonds in a world that has a sense of estrangement and emotional distance. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Originally published: Hungary: Athenaeum, 1922