
A series of diary‑like notes brings the bustling streets of early‑twentieth‑century Budapest to life. The author records anecdotes, heated debates, and fleeting observations that weave together the lives of well‑known figures and ordinary passers‑by. The tone swings between witty commentary and tender recollection, creating a vivid portrait of a city on the brink of change.
One striking episode follows Urs Nándor, a hulking police councilor famed for his stern uniform and glittering sword. Beneath his formidable exterior lies a surprisingly gentle heart, especially when he turns his attention to the street‑wise children of Józsefváros and Ferencváros. He invites them into his office, promises honest work, and escorts them through cramped workshops, hoping to shape their futures with a blend of discipline and compassion.
The collection captures a fleeting, buoyant era that ends just as the world trembles on the edge of war. A final entry marks the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, a somber punctuation to an otherwise carefree chronicle of everyday Budapest.
Language
hu
Duration
~2 hours (162K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Original publisher
Hungary: Franklin-Társulat, 1917.
Credits
Albert László from page images generously made available by the Google Books Library Project
Release date
2023-01-15
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1878–1952
Known for quick wit, sharp dialogue, and a gift for mixing comedy with melancholy, this Hungarian writer became one of the most widely staged dramatists of the early 20th century. He is also remembered by generations of readers for the classic novel The Paul Street Boys.
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