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ameliasbooks's review against another edition
I'm going to pause this for now and will be starting The Door.
I'm having a hard time connecting to these characters, although the core of the story is something I find really interesting.
Depending on how well I will get along with another work by this author, I will come back to this again at a different time.
I'm having a hard time connecting to these characters, although the core of the story is something I find really interesting.
Depending on how well I will get along with another work by this author, I will come back to this again at a different time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
litpages3's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
jiscoo's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.75
emilyconstance's review
4.0
A great book with a really simple message: what's old isn't obsolete. i think using a family to explain the danger of turning a blind eye to history, or attempting to rectify it without taking the time to understand or learn from it was really helpful and digestible. I think it also communicates that not only does this apply to our collective history but our personal histories as well-since memories, our childhood, our past, & all our experiences, make up who we are, and thus confronting them and understanding them are essential to our health and wellbeing. That's another major theme of this book, which I found to be impressive given this was written in the 1960s when mental health was still largely taboo, let alone psychosocial health. Iza's parents health were significantly influenced by their ability to relate to their pasts while in the present, as losing that ability caused their physical states to deteriorate.
Szabó makes a compelling case that we cannot simply build over what was once; we need to incorporate not only artifacts but lessons from the old and craft them into our new creations—warning against the artificiality of technology, the uniformity of newer suburbs, and the hollowness of minimalism, and illuminating how these turn us into regimented machines, much like Iza. Szabó also stresses the importance of caring for and respecting those who came before us, the elderly. They have a beating & feeling heart, too, and just like their histories shouldn't be forgotten, neither should they.
Szabó makes a compelling case that we cannot simply build over what was once; we need to incorporate not only artifacts but lessons from the old and craft them into our new creations—warning against the artificiality of technology, the uniformity of newer suburbs, and the hollowness of minimalism, and illuminating how these turn us into regimented machines, much like Iza. Szabó also stresses the importance of caring for and respecting those who came before us, the elderly. They have a beating & feeling heart, too, and just like their histories shouldn't be forgotten, neither should they.
juliehau's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
izasballad's review against another edition
5.0
This review contains spoilers.
Love cannot shield people from hurting each other if they fail to thoroughly understand them on a deeper level— from their needs to their aspirations. This is perfectly encapsulated in Iza's Ballad. There are multiple themes in the story, such as politics as an inescapable force that continually molds the human experience. Iza’s statement, "Politics will be my life as long as I live," serves as a foreshadows of the novel's examination of how political events intersect with personal lives. Another theme that is shown in the novel is loss and grief. Even after the death of Vince, the novel often shifts the narrative to when he was alive, emphasizing how he shaped the lives of the characters in the story. However, the central theme of "Iza's Ballad" is the complexities of mother-daughter relationships and the enduring impact of the past. This is a story about a mother and daughter who clearly love each other, but do not understand each other. As the novel unfolds the generational divide between Iza and Ettie clearly shows us the image of how this can lead to isolation and loneliness.
Interestingly, the original title of this book is Pilátus (Pontius Pilate). This is such a powerful title as it underscores the emotional detachment of both Pontius Pilate and Iza. They both carry out their duty while refusing to see to the consequences of their actions.
When Iza told Ettie that she would be moving with Iza after the death of her husband, she was ecstatic, hoping to be of help to Iza who is very much independent. However, Iza tries her best to make things comfortable for Ettie. While doing so, she fails to properly empathize with her mother. All Ettie wanted to do was support Iza after the death of Vince, thus with no purpose and choice, Ettie has succumbed to alienation— this is something that Iza failed to recognize.
Iza is a complex character. She had good intentions, and you could tell she cared about her mother, but she lacked the empathy to fully understand her. She is portrayed as a successful, but stoic person. As the novel unfolds, it is evident that she compartmentalizes her feelings and needs. When she experiences such emotions, she quickly overrides them with a rational and logical mindset. This behavior or coping mechanism of Iza could be possibly rooted in her childhood experiences. Her father's dismissal for adhering to his principles might have influenced her to prioritize reason over emotion. This emotional detachment and disconnect creates a chasm that isolates her from making authentic human connections. While she may possess genuine care, her inability to empathize hinders her from understanding the profound impact of her actions.
The tense dynamics between the mother and daughter, and the eventual deterioration of Ettie were heartbreaking to witness. While both of them are full of love and good intent, the absence of communication and mutual understanding overflows the love they have for each other. Safe to say, I loved this book so much and would love to conduct a thorough psychological exploration of its characters when I have the time.
Love cannot shield people from hurting each other if they fail to thoroughly understand them on a deeper level— from their needs to their aspirations. This is perfectly encapsulated in Iza's Ballad. There are multiple themes in the story, such as politics as an inescapable force that continually molds the human experience. Iza’s statement, "Politics will be my life as long as I live," serves as a foreshadows of the novel's examination of how political events intersect with personal lives. Another theme that is shown in the novel is loss and grief. Even after the death of Vince, the novel often shifts the narrative to when he was alive, emphasizing how he shaped the lives of the characters in the story. However, the central theme of "Iza's Ballad" is the complexities of mother-daughter relationships and the enduring impact of the past. This is a story about a mother and daughter who clearly love each other, but do not understand each other. As the novel unfolds the generational divide between Iza and Ettie clearly shows us the image of how this can lead to isolation and loneliness.
Interestingly, the original title of this book is Pilátus (Pontius Pilate). This is such a powerful title as it underscores the emotional detachment of both Pontius Pilate and Iza. They both carry out their duty while refusing to see to the consequences of their actions.
When Iza told Ettie that she would be moving with Iza after the death of her husband, she was ecstatic, hoping to be of help to Iza who is very much independent. However, Iza tries her best to make things comfortable for Ettie. While doing so, she fails to properly empathize with her mother. All Ettie wanted to do was support Iza after the death of Vince, thus with no purpose and choice, Ettie has succumbed to alienation— this is something that Iza failed to recognize.
Iza is a complex character. She had good intentions, and you could tell she cared about her mother, but she lacked the empathy to fully understand her. She is portrayed as a successful, but stoic person. As the novel unfolds, it is evident that she compartmentalizes her feelings and needs. When she experiences such emotions, she quickly overrides them with a rational and logical mindset. This behavior or coping mechanism of Iza could be possibly rooted in her childhood experiences. Her father's dismissal for adhering to his principles might have influenced her to prioritize reason over emotion. This emotional detachment and disconnect creates a chasm that isolates her from making authentic human connections. While she may possess genuine care, her inability to empathize hinders her from understanding the profound impact of her actions.
The tense dynamics between the mother and daughter, and the eventual deterioration of Ettie were heartbreaking to witness. While both of them are full of love and good intent, the absence of communication and mutual understanding overflows the love they have for each other. Safe to say, I loved this book so much and would love to conduct a thorough psychological exploration of its characters when I have the time.
simo_na's review against another edition
5.0
Quando ho iniziato il libro, mi chiedevo perché l'avessero chiamato "La ballata di Iza" (titolo originale Pilato), se il personaggio centrale appariva invece la madre di Iza, Etelka, che ha appena perso il marito Vince. Ormai quasi ottantenne, per non lasciarla sola nella loro cittadina di provincia la figlia - Iza, appunto - la porta con sé a Budapest.
Per Etelka il distacco è traumatico, ma non riesce mai davvero a dire alla figlia perché sia per lei così difficile staccarsi da quella cittadina e dalla sua vecchia casa piena di cianfrusaglie. Ed è su questo che si fonda il romanzo: il non riuscire a comunicare, e qua centrale diventa Iza. Iza, medico di successo, ormai quarantenne, trasferitasi nella capitale dopo un matrimonio fallito con il suo collega Antal, viene descritta come un soldato, inflessibile ma sempre premurosa con tutto e tutti. Ma non riesce a comprendere le vere ragioni del disagio della madre, perché lei è la prima a chiudersi dentro. Cosa diventano amore e affetto, quando non si riesce davvero a parlare con gli altri? Iza non è mai davvero riuscita a comunicare con i suoi genitori, nemmeno sulle ragioni del suo divorzio; non è mai riuscita ad aprirsi davvero ad Antal, e per questo l'ultima immagine del romanzo è Iza, sola. Iza che da piccola voleva che le ballate finissero sempre bene, voleva che tutti fossero felici - ma chi è davvero soddisfatto da questo annientamento mosso dalla ragione?
Il romanzo ha una scrittura precisa, ma tagliente, e i personaggi sono tratteggiati con infinita maestria. Recupererò altri romanzi dell'autrice.
Per Etelka il distacco è traumatico, ma non riesce mai davvero a dire alla figlia perché sia per lei così difficile staccarsi da quella cittadina e dalla sua vecchia casa piena di cianfrusaglie. Ed è su questo che si fonda il romanzo: il non riuscire a comunicare, e qua centrale diventa Iza. Iza, medico di successo, ormai quarantenne, trasferitasi nella capitale dopo un matrimonio fallito con il suo collega Antal, viene descritta come un soldato, inflessibile ma sempre premurosa con tutto e tutti. Ma non riesce a comprendere le vere ragioni del disagio della madre, perché lei è la prima a chiudersi dentro. Cosa diventano amore e affetto, quando non si riesce davvero a parlare con gli altri? Iza non è mai davvero riuscita a comunicare con i suoi genitori, nemmeno sulle ragioni del suo divorzio; non è mai riuscita ad aprirsi davvero ad Antal, e per questo l'ultima immagine del romanzo è Iza, sola. Iza che da piccola voleva che le ballate finissero sempre bene, voleva che tutti fossero felici - ma chi è davvero soddisfatto da questo annientamento mosso dalla ragione?
Il romanzo ha una scrittura precisa, ma tagliente, e i personaggi sono tratteggiati con infinita maestria. Recupererò altri romanzi dell'autrice.
martha_g's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0