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Debut novel inspired by the music and turbulent history of twentieth-century Hungary
Epicenter Press
May 2018
On Sale: May 15, 2018
Featuring: Katalin Varga; PΓ©ter Benedek
256 pages
ISBN: 1603816313
EAN: 9781603816311
Kindle: B07C45R9XS
Trade Size / e-Book
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Romance Historical
In communist Hungary, a peasant loses his land, a young mother loses her babyβs father, and both are scared into silenceβuntil music brings them together to face agonizing challenges. In 1951, a grim hush has settled over Hungary. After a lost war and a brutal transition to communism, the people live under constant threat of blacklisting, property confiscation, arrest, imprisonment, and worse. In this milieu of dread, the best land of PΓ©ter Benedekβs peasant family is seized and his life upended. Moving to Budapest for a manual labor job, PΓ©ter meets Katalin Varga, an unwed mother whose babyβs father has vanished, most likely at the hands of the secret police. Both PΓ©ter and Katalin keep their heads down and their mouths shut, because silence is the only safety they know. They soon learn they share a bond far more meaningful than their fear. When Katalin starts giving PΓ©ter voice lessons, they take an intrepid step out of hiding by making music together. Little by little they tell each other what they cannot tell others. In their bond of trust, they find relief and unexpected happiness. As harsh reality assaults them again, PΓ©ter and Katalin learn to carve dignity and beauty out of pain.
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