Critical Essay on Sandor Marai's Embers

Introduction

Sandor Marai remains the greatest Hungarian literary icon and his classic novel 'Embers' is testament of his prowess. Born during the war era when nationalism and patriotic pride was an absolute minimum requirement, the author was opposed to the occupation of the Soviets and their Communist ways in his native Hungary. He traveled around Europe due to war and throughout he was a writer who even refused to have his books published in his home country due to the presence of the Soviets. This course of action, together with a self-exile out of the country, saw him commit suicide as a lonely and old man (Fischer). The novel 'Embers' revolves around the sadness surrounding a dwindling empire as the events in an isolated castle in the woodlands reveal. This critical review will delve into the book to gain insight into what has become a thrilling read for the contemporary generation of readers.

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Henrik, commonly referred to as the General throughout the novel, is a 75-year-old man who has lived in the mountain castle for a duration of 41 years with his equally aged nurse, the 91-year-old Nini. He is eagerly and also not as excited to wait for his once bosom friend, Konrad, whom he heard would be arriving to join the General for dinner. His mind cannot help but rush back to his past life with the better part of this memory being how him and once his closest friend Konrad have found themselves on different paths. The past 41 years none of them had seen the other after an incident that involved the General's wife and which split their twin-like friendship. The aftermath of the incident saw Konrad flee to the Tropic s as his General friend stayed stuck alone in his castle.

This captivating plot of the story in the novel is brilliantly told in a seamless flow of wording that will have the reader glued to the pages. The late Sandor Marai excels in using simple prose throughout the novel to convey the underlying message of a present that is haunted by its past between the two characters. The two friends met at the military academy with Henrik coming from an aristocratic and finding solace in Konrad's friendship after depression at the academy nearly tore him apart (Hampton). The pair became the closet of friend even though they were a stark contrast of each other. The two friends were to have different lives even though Henrik had met a girl who would later become his wife through Konrad, and who would be the source of their painful past.

Conclusion

After four decades of not seeing each other, the men are eager to meet each other not for their friendship but to seek out answers on the incident involving the General's wife. Marai again is fantastic at interweaving the prose where the questions are asked with the flashback memories of Henrik on his past. The author also makes good work of challenging the readers' perspective on relationships and friendships that make one to think critically with regard to the novel's circumstances. Marai's place in the hall of literary icon's is guaranteed due to his bestsellers before his native country was taken over by fascist forces. Majority of his work, just like 'Embers' are getting translated into English in what promises to be an exciting reading menu for ardent book lovers. The use of simple lighting and intriguing story will earn the author numerous fans.

Works Cited

Fischer, Tibor. "The alchemist in exile." The Guardian Saturday 5 January 2012.

Hampton, Christopher. Embers. London: Faber & Faber, 2014. Internet resource.