György Dragomán: The Bone Fire

What really happens, when a country is liberated? Does everyone suddenly feel relieved, or do we carry the weight of our past with us? The dictator may have been shot, the symbols of oppression ritually burned, but secrets remain hidden, and old reflexes persist. Violence could erupt again at any moment, as the unburied past still painfully lingers.

Thirteen-year-old Emma is a strong girl, full of youthful wildness. She lost both her home and her parents at once, but her suddenly appearing grandmother takes her in. In her new life, everything has high stakes: grief, friendship, and her first great love—any moment holds the possibility of catharsis.

Emma learns the magic of everyday life and the fate-altering rituals from her witch-like grandmother, but her own strength is even greater: she might be able to say no to the sins of history and step out of the bloody whirlpool of never-forgiving.

The novel is both a family saga and a historical tableau. Its language is dense yet simple, and the magical intensity of its details shapes a gripping and dynamic story that holds the reader’s attention and won’t let them rest. The all-seeing eye of a child, the eager physicality of a teenager, and the sober attention of an adult intertwine, creating a text that is both sensual and sensitive. It probes secrets and awakens hidden knowledge.

The conversation will be held in English.

Date and Time: 3 December, 2024, at 3:30 PM

Location: ELTE PPK (1075 Budapest, Kazinczy u. 23-27), Room 205

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