The Accident (1940) is a hidden gem. Hidden meticulously — I have little faith in the seductive power of its cover.
Translator’s Afterword by Stephen HThe Accident (1940) is a hidden gem. Hidden meticulously — I have little faith in the seductive power of its cover.
Translator’s Afterword by Stephen Henighan covers not only the interpretation of this novel in a historical and political context, but also provides a concise biography of the author. It is so exhaustive and enlightening that there is not much to add left. As for the translation, I think Henighan did a brilliant job. I would have preferred the original Romanian version of the main characters’ names though, instead of Ann and Paul.
Speaking of Mihail Sebastian's biography, thanks to Bukareszt. Kurz i krew, the excellent collection of reportages by Małgorzata Rejmer, I was aware of how dramatic and painful the history of Romania had been. The prejudices Mihail Sebastian was almost constantly facing — being ignored by his closest friends included —are another heartbreaking illustration. And I just cannot get out of my head the creepy analogy between his death and the opening scene of The Accident.
The thing which struck me most was how contemporary The Accident felt. I had to remind myself it was set in the thirties. The only exception was the Grodeck family theme — I found its pathos obnoxious although I appreciate Sebastian's effort to make the novel more dramatic and mysterious. Apropos the flaws, I think there was something slightly artificial, slightly stilted about the ending of the novel, although Stephen Henighan's comment about the Hungarian newspaper headline gave a new dimension to it. You can almost hear the ironic giggle of history in the background.
Mind you, I am infatuated with the melancholy atmosphere of The Accident so my objectiveness is highly questionable here. I think I would have enjoyed this novel even more if I were keen on skiing. Alas, I have never tried it yet. It may change soon because I found Sebastian's account of the experience, especially of the accompanying emotions, truly vibrant and irresistible. Just like his bewitching descriptions of snowy mountains and the breathtaking scenery of Transylvania in winter. It felt so refreshing to indulge in these passages, battling with July scorching heat outside.
[image] Elena Petrova, Transylvania Painting....more
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