Csardas
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The csardas is a dance that symbolizes the vibrant spirit, the love of life of a proud people. And Csardasis a deftly plotted saga of great power, beauty, and historical authenticity that follows the changing fortunes of three aristocratic European families—spanning two world wars and four countries, and brimming with richly drawn, unforgettable characters.
Trying to found a dynasty against the inflexible caste system of the crumbling Austro-Hungarian Empire, stern Jewish banker Zsignmond Ferenc had married Marta Bogozy, a gay, charming woman of noble birth. Their daughters, "The two enchanting Ferenc sisters," Malie and Eva, are the most sought-after young women in their small society. Little do they realize that their secure world of privilege is soon to be consumed in the holocaust of the First World War and subsequent events.
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Masterfully, Diane Pearson interweaves the story of Malie and Eva with the lives of the other Ferencs, their relatives, and the history of the troubled times—the socialist, fascist, and finally communist regimes; the scattering of the family and its struggle simply to survive; and the joyous reunion after World War II of those who do.
This is a superbly written, poignant epic of war and peace—the brave, dignified, and sometimes cruel story of living, breathing characters whose hopes, failures, and triumphs will entrance readers everywhere.
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