The Golden Age in Transylvania

Transylvania in the years 1661-1674 a time when its precarious existence hung in the balance of power between two empires the Ottoman Empire and the Habsburg Holy Roman Empire a time when its princes schemed with other European powers to win the thrones of Hungary and Poland.The book is a psychological novel with historical characters that have depth and evolve as the plot develops; a fantasy with detailed descriptions of exotic oriental pleasure palaces set in the remote mountains the northern Carpathians and of Transylvania; a romance with plenty of passion betrayal and reconciliation; a swashbuckler with bold proud heroes and dangerous intrigues; and a comedy with ribald humor and subtle satire. The fantasy scenes are an allegory and the underlying themes are hubris and the seductions of wielding and manipulating power.Connections develop as the novel progresses and seemingly inconsequential details and the occasional obvious clue assume necessary significance as events unfold. Jókai’s descriptions of the characters’ emotions and thoughts bring the scenes to life in the reader’s mind.Originally published in two volumes in Pest 1852 as Erdély aranykora. This translation by T. László Palotás relies on the original Hungarian text and adds annotations.