Zsuffa Tünde's eighth novel, the concluding piece of the Heaven Holds Trilogy, takes you to the Kingdom of Hungary, which was rebuilt after the Tatar invasion, where IV. Béla is fighting for survival, while the characters of the crisis period of Hungarian history are marching. Following the traditions of historical novels, a love full of objects leads through the era.
Although IV. Béla rebuilds the country after the Tatar invasion, but it is still surrounded by enemies. He negotiates with the Pope and the Kunians who have been readmitted to the country, wages war against the Czech king, and joins his father, II. Like András, he fights with the lords who create discord, the Ispans who fear their power, and his headstrong and up-and-coming son István. Tatar spies are swarming the country, there is a threat of another attack. Even though it is a historical novel, The Sky Holds the Homeland, the presence of spies is an assumption and not a proven fact.
The novel has a whirlwind momentum
The author's usual readable, fast-paced story is a tale of greed, tyranny, love, loyalty, betrayal, faith and unbelief. Several characters known from the earlier parts of the trilogy return, including the friends of Saint Elizabeth whom her father invited to the Hungarian court after her death. However, the story is different from the previous parts, as it is not primarily about the internal struggles of the king, nor about the mental and physical struggles that are often on a forced path, but about the country's drift towards an internal and external crisis - all this in the midst of the ongoing reconstruction.
Margit's holy life, her deep faith, her self-pitying penance offered for the peace of the country, and her intimate relationship with her rebellious brother play an important role. Although the princess is not the main character, her presence, her radiance, and her influence on her surroundings are constantly felt during the course of the story. According to the writer, Margit was already liked in the Árpád era because of the cult of Saint Elizabeth. The two princesses are very close to each other in time, space and spirit.
There is no Zsuffa novel without a love drama
In addition to the historical authenticity, the fictional characters bring the XXI. Árpád era to the people of the 19th century. Baroness Ilona's story is complicated by the intrigues of her money-hungry stepmother and the unscrupulous Russian squid, against whom the heroes are powerless for a long time. Ilona's tale is interwoven with the saintly queen, following whom she shows the reader inner peace and deepened faith.
The writer believes that her message reaches young people if she is able to change her original ideas in many cases, as today's readership does not necessarily accept a lot of pain, tragedy, struggle and destruction - which, for example, characterized the second volume of the trilogy. Therefore, in the third part, many positive messages are expressed, for example, eternal love, friendship or love, which are also points of alignment in today's world.
One of the basic messages of the Heaven Holds Trilogy is faith
In addition to these, the importance of faith is paramount throughout the novel. In the last scene, Margit tries to act as a peacemaker and draws attention to God's laws.
"If you live according to God's laws, mercy is present in your heart, your actions are guided by love, you do not declare yourself a Christian just to keep power, and you will be faithful to the legacy of King St. Stephen, you respect the Blessed Virgin Mary, God will protect you and Heaven will keep you the House"
- warns both the characters and the readers.
The lives of the saints are an inexhaustible storehouse of exciting stories. It is no coincidence that dozens of books and films deal with them, and they often appear in musical settings. Oratorios, mystery plays, operatic stylistic mixes or even musicals make sacred stories palatable to many.
Zsuffa Tünde's Árpád-házi series of family novels originally focused on the figure of Saint Elizabeth, and it was staged as a musical by Róbert Szikora and Sándor Lezsák last year at the Margitsziget Theater and the József Katona National Theater in Kecskemét. There is no news yet about the musical adaptation of Azá túltí Hazát, but the neo-romanticism and percussive storytelling of the book would be equally suitable for the stage.
Featured image source: Szemlílek
