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A review by izasballad
Iza's Ballad by Magda Szabó
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.