Orczy, Emmuska Orczy, Baroness 1865-1947 creator Nyman, Väinö 1880-1947 text utu 2023 monographic fi 1 online resource : multiple file formats "Pustan poika" by Baroness Emmuska Orczy is a novel written in the early 20th century. Set against the backdrop of Hungary's vast plains, the story explores the lives of humble villagers and their interactions with the affluent aristocracy, highlighting themes of social class, superstition, and conflict between tradition and modernity. The narrative introduces characters like the proud Count, Bideskuty, and the enigmatic Jewish moneylender, Rosenstein, setting the stage for a tale filled with intrigue and cultural tensions. The opening of the novel paints a vivid picture of the Hungarian puszta, immersing the reader in the tranquil yet harsh beauty of the landscape. It introduces a small village, Arokszállas, where the local peasants gather in a tavern to discuss their simple lives and the rumored advent of modern machinery that threatens their traditional way of living. Amidst this lively discourse, characters express their fears about the upcoming steam mill and its implications for their agricultural livelihood. Tension arises as superstitions and suspicions about the machinery and the aristocrat's intentions unfold, foreshadowing a brewing conflict between the villagers and their social superiors. (This is an automatically generated summary.) Release date is 2023-08-22 Juhani Kärkkäinen and Tapio Riikonen Originally published: Jyväskylä: K. J. Gummerus Oy, 1921 Hungary -- Fiction PR Jyväskylä: K. J. Gummerus Oy, 1921 https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/71472 https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/71472 UtSlPG 260607 20260610134643.0 71472