Embers by Sandor Mara

Description

“Embers” is a novel written by the Hungarian author Sándor Márai, originally published in 1942 as “A gyertyák csonkig égnek” (“The Candles Burn Down to the Stump”). It has since been translated into many languages and gained international acclaim.

The novel is set in a grand castle in Hungary during the interwar period and tells the story of an intense reunion between two elderly friends, Henrik and Konrad. The two men were once inseparable companions, but their friendship was abruptly severed 41 years earlier, and they have not seen each other since.

As the men sit down to dinner in the castle’s dining room, they engage in a prolonged conversation that serves as a cathartic exploration of their shared past, their conflicting values, and the betrayals that drove them apart. Through their dialogue, Márai delves into themes of friendship, love, betrayal, and the passage of time.

“Embers” is celebrated for its elegant prose, rich characterization, and profound exploration of the complexities of human relationships. It’s a haunting and introspective novel that lingers in the mind long after the final page is turned, making it a timeless classic of 20th-century literature.