Anikó Dusík: Eötvös novel

Taking into account the history of Hungarian novel, the year 1836 is of unparalleled importance. It is the year of publishing the novel Abafi by Miklós Jósik, a work of art that definitely changed perception of this genre. In the late 1830‘s, also József Eötvös published his first novel, and thus, alongside of the more popular Miklós Jósik, he became the most remarkable representative of Hungarian novel of his times. The characters of his novels are in search for balance between requirements imposed on them by the society and their own desires – within recognized codes of romanticism. Eötvös’ views are never oversimplifying. A typical hero of each of his novels is a determined – even egoistic – individualist. Gustáv, the hero of his first novel A Kathausi, represents the prototype of egocentrism. Towards the end of his life, his message to the word is articulated in an imperative: Love! – however, this apprehension comes too late, and after all, it seems to be a solution with only limited – and thus also questionable – relevance.