Abigail: The Return of Magda Szabó

With the publication of Abigail, by Hungarian writer Magda Szabó, Hungarian literature is in the spotlight again in North America. This continues something of a renaissance for local writers. Only ten or so years ago, Hungarian writers published on major presses in English were very rare indeed. Now, with the international lionization of living Hungarian writers like László Krasznahorkai and Péter Nádas, the entire Hungarian canon is being cherry-picked for re/translation for the British and US markets. Novels like the pre-WWII classic Journey By Moonlight by Antal Szérb and many titles from Sándor Márai ’s body of work have recently experienced huge success in their English translations. The former has even seen two different English language translations.

The Door, Magda Szabó’s first book translated into English, was an international hit, with postitive reviews in the New York Times, among other prestige venues. Szabó is a cherished author here in Hungary, and there have been nominal efforts made in the past to introduce her works to an English-speaking audience. Indeed, she has been widely translated into numerous languages, but her works have only recently been fully appreciated in America.

Upon getting stellar reviews, the publisher had a hard time keeping up with demand for The Door, and tweeted that multiple booksellers had sold out. Here is what literary luminary Claire Messud had to say in the New York Times: “If you’ve felt that you’re reasonably familiar with the literary landscape, “The Door” will prompt you to reconsider. It’s astonishing that this masterpiece should have been essentially unknown to English-­language readers for so long, a realization that raises once again the question of what other gems we’re missing out on. The dismaying discussion of how little translated work is available in the United States must wait for another venue; suffice it to say that I’ve been haunted by this novel. Szabo’s lines and images come to my mind unexpectedly, and with them powerful emotions. It has altered the way I understand my own life.”

The New York Times was equally breathless about Abigail, saying this: "The English edition of Abigail is as welcome as it is overdue. Len Rix’s translation is deft, but Szabó’s frank, conversational prose takes a back seat to her sinuous plotting: The novel unspools its secrets over many pages, and the resulting tour de force is taut with suspense. . . . Nothing could ruin a book so humane—but to resolve the novel’s central mysteries, especially the enigma of Abigail’s identity, would be to diminish some of its breathless urgency. To learn the truth, you must consult Abigail herself." It looks like another opportunity for North American readers to discover a classic Hungarian writer has arrived. Indeed, Abigail is the writer’s best known work in her home country, so expectations are high.

Szabó, who died in 2007 at the age of 90, had a prolific life, and was the author of many more novels, though you will have to wait – hopefully not too long – before they are available in English, though NYRB her novels Iza’s Ballad and Katalin Street have also been published to acclaim.

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