Hello
Gentle Reader
The
postmodernist chronicler of Hungary, Peter Esterhazy died last Thursday (July
14th) from pancreatic cancer. Esterhazy was a leading 20th
century Hungarian writer, was known for his postmodernist chronicles that
examined life in Communist Hungary. His most famous novel “Celestial Harmonies,”
traces his aristocratic lineage of his family, from its rise during the Austro-Hungarian
Empire, to its displacement and dispossession under the communist regime. Two
years later, Esterhazy
released a companion novel to “Celestial Harmonous,” titled: “Revised Edition,”
which featured an appendix of its predescessor, and also revealed the details
of, Esterhazy’s father being an informant of the secret police. His writing
style was known for its unique rhythm; described by “Reuters,” as a “stop-and-go
rhythm,” where his books and style was more concerned with twists and surprises
in the book, rather than a straight and linear narrative; this often meant
personal experiences, sarcastic humor along with toilet humor, and direct quotations
and references of other writers work, were to be found as hallmarks of his
style. His last book to be published is “Pancreatic Diary,” in which case he
writes about the disease, and its infected organ inside of him, alongside
biographical sketches and vignettes. Despite the disease though, Esterhazy
attended the Budapest Book Fair, and read from his latest and last book.
Hungarian
literature has lost one of its great pillars of its unique language and
literature. Esterhazy was a postmodernist writer, who would best be described
as being quite in tune with the absurd nature of history, and its callous
inability to discriminate against individuals, as it degrades the mighty and
the unfortunate alike. His work is described as frustrating, yet rewarding; and
it should come to no surprise that Peter Esterhazy was a highly speculated
writer for the Nobel.
Rest
in Peace Peter Esterhazy.
Thank-you
For Reading Gentle Reader
Take
Care
And
As Always
Stay
Well Read
M.
Mary
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