Tales From Jókai

"Tales From Jókai" by Mór Jókai is a collection of short stories written in the late 19th century. This anthology showcases the renowned Hungarian author’s diverse storytelling skills, featuring tales that range from historical narratives to lighter comic sketches and gripping ghost stories. The collection aims to introduce English readers to the rich tapestry of Jókai's work and highlights his genius in capturing the essence of Hungarian culture and folklore. The opening of the collection sets the stage with "The Celestial Slingers," a tale about the city of Debreczen’s struggles against the threatening Kuczuk Pasha. In a narrative filled with humor and elements of the fantastical, Governor Stephen Dobozy defies the Pasha’s threats, leading to a standoff where the townsfolk prepare to defend their home at any cost. As the story unfolds, a series of whimsically supernatural events comes to the fore, including the mystical appearance of a heavenly figure and a sudden tempest that intervenes in the conflict, highlighting the themes of resilience and divine protection. The tale intertwines local folklore with history, establishing a sense of place and cultural identity that is characteristic of Jókai’s storytelling. (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.