Jocus és Momus

A vivid, tongue‑in‑cheek portrait of imperial Central Europe springs to life as an aging court official, Ferencz, and his scheming companion, the sharp‑tongued Tolnay, navigate the bustling streets of Vienna and Budapest. Their encounters with eccentric figures—like the bombastic tavern keeper Krammer and a pompous bureaucrat who spouts a jumble of German, Hungarian and invented phrases—turn everyday errands into absurd theatrical performances. The novel’s language crackles with multilingual wordplay, making the city itself feel like a stage where courtesy masks cunning and every polite bow hides a hidden agenda.

Amid this lively backdrop, a weary law professor, Kövy, stages a quiet rebellion during his final lecture, refusing to rush his students toward holiday travel. His stubborn monologue, laced with obscure family histories and cryptic references, provokes impatience and curiosity in a room of restless scholars. The story captures the clash between rigid authority and mischievous subversion, inviting listeners to revel in the humor of a world where formalities and farce are inseparably intertwined.