They Were Divided

No joke, I feel like I could get a few points in Mastermind if I decided to have Austro Hungary between 1904 and 1914 as my specialist subject! I'm sure all this useless knowledge will fade quickly but come the centenary of the First World War next year I feel super prepared.

This book was the saddest, the most political and the most boring of all three books.  (Luckily the thinnest too.) My favourite character obviously died of alcohol poisoning and syphillis without a penny to his name.( At least he was spared from having to fight in the Great War.)

Life in Transylvania continued with all the partying, gossiping,duelling and such nonsense. Everyone was arrogantly ignoring all the winds of change and disharmony around the rest of Europe and this attitude   ultimately left Hungary unprepared to gain revenge on Serbia for the assassination of Franz Ferdinand.  ( Ironically Franz was universally despised by Hungarians.  Everyone said that the only person who  loved him was his unfortunate wife...who was killed alongside him.) 

One of my favourite sections was when a British anti duelling representative came to Transylvania to talk about banning it and unbeknown to him, whilst he was talking, the guys in the audience were secretly planning a duel.  It took place outside in the tea break, luckily nobody was killed and all involved were able to return back for the second half of the presentation. One guy heavily bleeding and bandaged.

I also loved the parts in themountains with the Romanian peasants and the gypsies,  really beautifully described without a hint of patronism. 

Banffy was a Hungarian speaking upper class Transylvanian but his first love was his beautiful Transylvanian countryside. he despised the aristocratic idiots who run the country.(A group which he unfortunately belonged to.) Banffy was most at home high in the mountains with the Romanians. he learnt the language and had great respect for the peasants. he could see that only trouble lay around the corner and this book is a sad farewell to a country and a system which he knew was gone for ever. 

A fantastic set of books.  A challenge , but also great fun(in parts) but this one was obviously the most serious.  The book ended with the first day of the First World War. What ever happened to these characters is left to my imagination.  Which was a bit harsh! 

BUT it's really made me want to return to Transylvania...maybe next year.