Black Diamonds: A Novel

"Black Diamonds: A Novel" by Mór Jókai is a fictional work written in the late 19th century. The story is set in a coal-mining community, primarily following the life of Ivan Behrend, the owner of the Bondavara coal-mine, as he grapples with personal ambitions, isolation, and emerging feelings for a young worker named Evila. The novel explores themes of love, social class, and the harsh reality of life in a coal-mining town. The opening of the novel introduces us to a dark, underground cavern where Ivan Behrend searches for hidden treasures amidst the coal. His solitary explorations reflect his intense dedication to uncovering secrets of the earth while hinting at the psychological isolation he endures. As the narrative shifts to the coal mine, we meet Evila, a young worker with a difficult life, and we witness the stark contrast between Ivan’s world and hers. The chapter intensifies as it portrays the brutal reality of love and relationships in this grim environment, especially through Evila’s turbulent connection with her violent betrothed, Peter. The rich and evocative descriptions set the tone for a story that intertwines personal struggles and broader societal critiques. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Móricz Jókay of Ásva, known as Mór Jókai, was a Hungarian novelist, dramatist and revolutionary. Outside of Hungary, he was also known as Maurice Jókai or Maurus Jokai or Mauritius Jókai. He was a leader of the outbreak of the Hungarian Revolution of 1848 in Pest. His romantic novels became widely popular among the elite of Victorian England, where he was often compared to Charles Dickens by the press. One of his most famous admirers was Queen Victoria herself.