The Book of Fathers by Miklos Vamos

Release date: 2009 / 466 pages

Synopsis (from front cover): When in 1705 Kornel Csillag’s grandfather returns destitute to his native Hungary from exile, he happens across a gold pocket watch gleaming in the mud. The shipwrecked fortunes of the Csillag family suddenly take a new and marvelous turn. The gold watch brings an unexpected gift to the future generations of firstborn sons: clairvoyance.

First line: “The world comes to life.”

Review: As I’ve mentioned before, I try not to read synopses or reviews prior to beginning a work, so when the Book of Fathers arrived, at 466 pages, and I opened the first page to a family tree of twelve men, beginning in 1702 in Hungary, I was a little apprehensive.  But, to my happy surprise, the pages flew by and I quite enjoyed this usual saga. 

Each of the twelve sections focuses on the life of a “father” — who writes some semblance of his history, that is passed down to his eldest son as “The Book of Fathers.”  Each man’s story is extremely different (and very fast-paced), but ends in a tragedy that he is able to foresee.  (Coincidentally, this is the third work in two weeks I have read about individuals who are able to see into the future…?).

At the end of the work, I read the Author’s Note and learned that each man illustrates characteristics of one of the twelve zodiac signs so that the entire history represents a span of personalities.  Each section begins with a beautiful, lyrical passage that sets up the sign.  I had not noticed the connection between the passages to the zodiac calendar, but loved the seasonal imagery nevertheless.  Here is a sample:

“The world come to life. Wisps of green steal across the fields, rich with the promise of spring. Tiny shoots push through the soil. Virgin buds uncoil at the tips of branches. Soft, fresh grass sweeps and swells across the meadows. Thornbushes blossom on the hillsides. The walnut trees have survived the winter, though their antlered crowns still stand bare. Fresh leaves reach longingly for rain from the sky.”

The author had hoped to write a novel based on his own father’s life, but was unable to find enough source material.  However, his research was extensive and he decided to choose twelve different men, both famous and unknown, and weave their biographies into a novel that spans the history of Hungary.   I know very, very little about Hungary, but this was not an impediment (and I certainly know more after finishing this!).  Although the premise of this novel seems ambitious and problematic, the narrative is very cohesive and engaging.  In fact, I couldn’t believe how quickly each story read — and I finished the entire novel in two semi-busy days.

So, if you are in the mood for a literary novel — with great character-development and historical context, drop me a comment and cross your fingers!  I’ll choose a winner by Saturday!

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