Title: In Praise of Older Women: The Amorous Recollections of András Vajda
Author: Stephen Vizinczey
First published January 1, 1965
192 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780226858869 (ISBN10: 0226858863)
Rating: 3.8
Overview
In Stephen Vizinczey’s In Praise of Older Women: The Amorous Recollections of András Vajda, follow the sexual coming-of-age story of a young Hungarian refugee. From his experiences with American forces at age twelve to his final tryst with a reporter’s wife in Canada at twenty-three, Vajda’s story is one of elegance and eroticism.
Vizinczey’s writing style will leave you in awe with its graceful depictions of women and sex. This novel is a refreshing reminder that sex is only a small part of the grander scheme of life.
With “redeeming literary merit,” this book is a true masterpiece.
About the Author
The author of this piece hails from Hungary and is a graduate of the University of Budapest, where he studied under George Lukacs. Despite having three of his plays banned by the Hungarian Communist regime and participating in the 1956 Hungarian Revolution, he eventually landed in Canada, where he became a citizen.
With only 50 words of English at his disposal, he honed his language skills by writing scripts for Canada’s National Film Board and the CBC. He even edited a short-lived literary magazine called Exchange.
Later, he moved to London and became a British citizen.
The author is best known for his novels ‘In Praise of Older Women’ (1965) and ‘An Innocent Millionaire’ (1983). Additionally, he has penned two books of literary, philosophical, and political essays: ‘The Rules of Chaos’ (1969) and ‘Truth and Lies in Literature’ (1985).
Editoral Review
In Praise of Older Women: The Amorous Recollections of András Vajda by Stephen Vizinczey is a literary masterpiece that was first published on January 1, 1965. Vizinczey is a Hungarian-Canadian writer, and this book is his most celebrated work.
The book belongs to the genre of erotic fiction and tells the story of the protagonist, András Vajda’s sexual awakening and his passionate affairs with considerably older women. The plot of the book follows Vajda’s journey from his teenage years to his adulthood, during which he has numerous trysts with different women, all significantly older than him.
The book is set in Europe during the World War II era and has a historical significance as it reflects the attitude towards sex and relationships during that time. The themes of the book center around love, lust, and the importance of companionship.
Vizinczey’s writing style is elegant and authentic. The characters are well-developed and have unique personalities.
The author’s attention to detail is evident in the vivid descriptions of the characters’ physical and emotional traits. The pacing is engaging, and the plot structure is well-organized, making the book a page-turner.
The book is explicit, yet Vizinczey never crosses the line into being gratuitous or obscene. The book’s strengths lie in its beautiful writing, captivating plot, and unique characters.
However, the focus on Vajda’s sexual conquests may not appeal to all readers. The portrayal of women in the book could be considered misogynistic by some, and the lack of agency given to the female characters may be discouraging to feminist readers.
In comparison to its genre, In Praise of Older Women stands out due to its outstanding writing, unique premise, and masterful storytelling. The book has a timeless quality and can still be enjoyed by readers today, decades after its first publication.
Overall, In Praise of Older Women: The Amorous Recollections of András Vajda is a literary gem, albeit with some limitations. For fans of erotic literature or fans of historical romance, this book comes highly recommended.
It is an excellent educational tool for those looking to explore the attitudes towards sex during the time period, and it is a reminder that love and companionship can be found in unexpected and unconventional places. Therefore, it deserves a rating of 4.5 out of 5.
