Release date is 2025-05-11

Albert László from page images generously made available by the Hungarian Electronic Library

"A párizsi regény" by Dezső Szomory is a novel written in the late 19th or early 20th century. The book appears to follow the author's alter ego, a young Hungarian man traveling to and living in Paris, as he encounters new people, navigates foreign customs, and contemplates his own place within both the bustling city and his memory of home. The narrative is introspective, blending personal experience with cultural observations, and promises a richly detailed portrait of expatriate life, poignant nostalgia, and a search for identity. The opening of the novel introduces the protagonist's journey from Hungary to Paris, starting with the amusing and symbolic story of buying a top hat for his travels—a gesture that reveals both youthful excitement and the influence of admired acquaintances. As he crosses borders, the protagonist is confronted by his linguistic insecurities and the emotional shock of leaving home, leading to episodes of longing and self-doubt. Upon arrival in Paris, he describes his initial loneliness, interactions with relatives living in the Hotel Mazagran, and the social dynamics of Hungarian expatriates, including cultural misunderstandings and struggles with homesickness. Throughout these early chapters, the narrative weaves between humorous self-reflection and melancholy, highlighting the protagonist's disorientation in a foreign city while also providing vibrant sketches of Parisian life and characters. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Originally published: Budapest: Athenaeum, 1929