Sandor Marai: Embers

Most intriguing. A very 'slow burn' book that gives a thoughtful picture of old age and the necessity to come to closure ( to use modern terminology) as ones life draws to an end. Some marvellous nature writing ,embedded in this which helps to give a grandeur and more long-term historical sweep to the narrative although in many ways the novella is something of a miniature. The perception about long-term relationships and their strange and ambiguous nature, not able to be neatly described and categorised, is very fine and gives much food for thought. Like a number of books I have read, this is one that could only appeal and say something to someone who is older.

Apparently a well known Hungarian classic and it has been dramatised, I understand. The only thing that did not quite convince was the scale and length ( although in one way utterly necessary) of the main narration. Realistically I did not think that this was possible but I suppose that is looking at the work in the wrong way.