On Reality and the Uses of Literature

A Reading Recommendation for Sándor Tar’s Cycle Your Kingdom

Abstract

In my essay—following a few extended detours—I attempt to answer the question of why (and how) I consider it worthwhile to read Sándor Tar’s short story cycle Your Kingdom (A te országod) today. First published in 1993, the cycle appeared in a collected volume of the same name, which also included a broad selection from the author’s first two books.