Lark
Lark -or Skylark, by its original title in Hungarian—is a historical fiction novel written by the Serbian literary critic, journalist, essayist, translator, and author Dezso Kosztolányi. The work was originally published in 1924. Much later, it was translated into Spanish by Ediciones B, who also took care of its editing and distribution in 2010. At the time, the book was considered an Eastern European classic. .
Today, it regains its strength thanks to reading by critics and literature lovers from all over the world. Lark It is a short novel that deals with themes such as emotional dependency, pain, loss, strength and love. Although its narrative style is simple, the way the plot is approached is complex, thanks to the author's understanding of human feelings and the intimacy of the scenes.
Synopsis of Lark
About hopes that were never fulfilled
Lark portrays the family history Vajkay, who live in a province of Austria-Hungary, at the end of the XNUMXth century, specifically in 1899. In that period, social rules were much stricter and limiting than those we know today. Sons should go to war, and daughters should be beautiful., docile and marry well to survive in wild times of less prosperity.
The Vajkays are a woman and a man who are approaching sixty years old. In 1899, that meant ya were elderly, relegated to the care of grandchildren. However, marriage has no offspring to care for, because, Alondra, as they call their only daughter, has not been able to conquer the heart of any man because of his physical appearance.
The departure of a sweet daughter and the disappointment of loving parents
One day, Alondra is preparing to spend a week away from home, with her uncles and cousins. Her trip completely devastates her parents, who express exaggerated regret when the thirty-year-old woman decides to take a vacation. A priori, the action of the “elders” seems disproportionate, but they do not have any other ties, and they do not dedicate themselves to anything other than loving their little girl.
The dependence that the Vajkays have on their daughter lessens as the girl moves away from her maternal home.. In fact, when Alondra finally leaves, his parents undergo a radical change due to his absence. Unintentionally, the marriage is left alone for the first time in thirty years. At first they don't know or understand how to behave with each other, or alone, but very soon all this changes for the better.
The discovery that you can be more alone
While the girl spends time with her uncles, lThe Vajkays begin to do all those stuff that had not been possible due to the birth, upbringing, care and subsequent dependence of their daughter. They go out to dinner, go to the theater, have social gatherings at home, where father Vajkay drinks with his friends and the mother celebrates and rejoices with her husband and the others.
Despite their new and growing happiness, the couple feels the pangs of guilt. Well, Although they feel better than ever, they continue to love and miss Alondra, who they love too much. The Vajkays feel sad every time they remember that their beloved daughter, ugly and without any type of social charm, will stay with them forever. Alondra's singleness and unattractive physical appearance make her an outcast in her time.
From the pen of Dezso Kosztolányi
The author de Alondra was talented from the beginning. However, what developed later was an intense sensitivity to get under the skin of his characters, and make his pen act as a portal between the real world and that of his works.
It could be said that Dezso Kosztolányi was an actor who played all the participants in his narrative, and that is something that is very clear in this novel, which is a simple story at first glance.
Nonetheless, This title by Kosztolányi is based on an important emotional charge. For example, although her parents ignore it, Alondra knows that they are the only ones who love her, she understands her condition, and, although she suffers from it, she never complains about the lack of physical beauty that the divine Providence has granted him. However, this woman is stronger, braver and kinder than her parents could ever think.
About the author, Dezső Kosztolányi
Dezső Kosztolányi
Dezső Kosztolányi was born in 1885, in Szabadka, Subotica, Serbia. During his youth he showed an exceptional talent for words, and he already had a fine style of his own. Later, studied Literature at the University of Budapest. There he met, made contacts and formed close friendships with other well-known writers, such as Mihály Babits and Gyula Juhász. However, at 21 he left his alma mater to pursue a career as a journalist.
This last work was what he carried out for the rest of his life. Even so, Dezső Kosztolányi always felt a very special predilection for the lyrical pen and narrative.. For this reason, he published a series of poems, stories and novels. All of these materials stood out in the literary field thanks to the originality, sensitivity and appreciation for the writer's forms. As a creator, his main characteristic is an undoubted love for everyday things.
Furthermore, Dezső Kosztolányi was a writer who, through his works, delved into the most faithful intimacy of his protagonists. So, He drew his characters based on deep feelings, such as love, grief, pain or the search for independence. Likewise, the author made some of the most beautiful translations of the works of other writers, such as Goethe, Molière or Shakespeare.
Other books by Dezső Kosztolányi
- Psychoanalytic stories (2003);
- anna the sweet (2003);
- Kornél Esti. A hero of his time (2007);
- The golden kite (2007)