The Pendragon Legend
Encyclopedia
The Pendragon Legend is a 1934 novel
by the Hungarian
writer Antal Szerb
.
The book is a philosophical thriller/comedy/murder-mystery/ghost story set first in London
and then in Wales
. A mystical element is diffused through an increasingly complex plot, as all threads converge in the final chapters.
The Pendragon Legend was first translated into English by Lili Halápy in 1963, and again by Len Rix
in 2006.
Novel
A novel is a book of long narrative in literary prose. The genre has historical roots both in the fields of the medieval and early modern romance and in the tradition of the novella. The latter supplied the present generic term in the late 18th century....
by the Hungarian
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
writer Antal Szerb
Antal Szerb
Antal Szerb was a noted Hungarian scholar and writer. He is recognized as one of the major Hungarian literary personalities of the 20th century.-Life and work:...
.
The book is a philosophical thriller/comedy/murder-mystery/ghost story set first in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
and then in Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
. A mystical element is diffused through an increasingly complex plot, as all threads converge in the final chapters.
The Pendragon Legend was first translated into English by Lili Halápy in 1963, and again by Len Rix
Len Rix
Len Rix is a translator of Hungarian literature, noted for his translations of Antal Szerb's Journey by Moonlight and The Pendragon Legend and of Magda Szabó's The Door.-Personal life:...
in 2006.
Historical References
The novel contains many references to English and European mysticism:- Rosicrucians
- Robert FluddRobert FluddRobert Fludd, also known as Robertus de Fluctibus was a prominent English Paracelsian physician, astrologer, mathematician, cosmologist, Qabalist, Rosicrucian apologist...
- Count of St. Germain
- ParacelsusParacelsusParacelsus was a German-Swiss Renaissance physician, botanist, alchemist, astrologer, and general occultist....
- Philosopher's StonePhilosopher's stoneThe philosopher's stone is a legendary alchemical substance said to be capable of turning base metals into gold or silver. It was also sometimes believed to be an elixir of life, useful for rejuvenation and possibly for achieving immortality. For many centuries, it was the most sought-after goal...
- Great WorkGreat WorkThe term Great Work is a term used in Hermeticism and in certain occult traditions and religions such as Thelema.-In Hermeticism:...
External links
- PushkinPress.com English editions of works by the author Antal Szerb
- Independent review of The Pendragon Legend
- Interview with the translator in the Hungarian Literature Online