RUSSIAN EMPIRE

Lev Tolsztoj

(1828–1910)

A Russian writer and one of the most prominent figures in realist literature. His works explore deep philosophical and moral questions.

Three well-known novels:

1. War and Peace – A comprehensive depiction of Russian society during the Napoleonic Wars.
2. Anna Karenina – The tragic love story of an aristocratic woman, examining Russian social and moral issues.
3. Resurrection – The story of a nobleman's moral renewal, containing a critique of the Russian legal system and society.

Similarities and Differences with Jókai: Both Tolstoy and Jókai pay significant attention to social and moral issues. However, Tolstoy's works delve deeper into philosophical and religious questions, while Jókai focuses more on adventurous and romantic stories.

PRUSSIA/GERMAN EMPIRE

Theodor Fontane

(1819–1898)

A German writer regarded as a prominent figure in realist literature. He became best known for his social novels.

Three of his most well-known novels:

1. Effi Briest – Follows the fate of the titular woman, who is abandoned by her husband due to an extramarital affair.
2. Der Stechlin – The story of an aging nobleman and his family, reflecting the changes in German society.
3. Jenny Treibel – The story of a wealthy bourgeois family and a poor teacher, highlighting the conflicts between social classes.

Similarities and Differences with Jókai: Fontane's works are dominated by social realism, which contrasts with Jókai's romantic, idealized portrayal. However, both delve deeply into the social issues of their time.

SWEDEN AND NORWAY

Henrik Ibsen

(1828–1906)

A Norwegian playwright best known for his social dramas.

Three of his well-known works:

1. A Doll's House – A woman's struggle for independence in 19th-century Norway.
2. The Wild Duck – A drama centered around a family and its secrets.
3. Peer Gynt – The story of a man's life and adventures.

Similarities and Differences with JókaiBoth writers centered their works on social issues. Ibsen focused on the questions of Norwegian society and human relationships, while Jókai addressed the problems of Hungarian history and society.

DENMARK

Hans Christian Andersen

(1805–1875)

A Danish writer best known for his fairy tales.

Three of his well-known works:

1. The Ugly Duckling – The story of a little duckling who eventually becomes a beautiful swan.
2. The Little Mermaid – The story of an underwater world and a mermaid who longs for a human life.
3. The Emperor's New Clothes – The story of an emperor who wears invisible clothes.

Similarities and Differences with Jókai: Both writers created works in both children's literature and adult literature. Andersen's fairy tales explore questions of human nature and morality, while Jókai's novels focus more on historical and social issues.

UNITED KINGDOM

Charles Dickens

(1812–1870)

One of the most well-known English writers, who had a significant impact on 19th-century English literature and society. Dickens is best known for his socially critical novels, which often address the poverty and injustices of the industrial era.

Three of his well-known works:

1. A Christmas Carol – The story of an old, miserly man, Ebenezer Scrooge, and his redemption at Christmas.
2. Great Expectations – The story of a young orphan, Pip, and the changes in his life as he unexpectedly inherits a large fortune.
3. Great Expectations – The story of a boy who leaves his rural life to seek his fortune in London.

Similarities and Differences with Jókai: The works of Dickens and Mór Jókai address the social changes of the 1850s with complex storytelling and social critique, the former in England and the latter in Hungary. While Dickens' works analyze the effects of the Industrial Revolution and the legal system, Jókai focuses on Hungarian national identity and political changes. Both emphasize individual responsibility and social justice, but within different cultural contexts.

KINGDOM OF THE NETHERLANDS

Multatuli

His real name is Eduard Douwes Dekker.
(1820–1887)

A Dutch writer best known for his criticism of the colonial system.

Three of his well-known works:

1. Max Havelaar: or the Coffee Auctions of the Dutch Trading Company – A critique of the Dutch colonial system.
2. Ideeën – A collection of thoughts and essays.
3. Kamaszévek – The story of a young boy.

Similarities and Differences with Jókai: Both writers played a role in the fight against social injustices. While Jókai highlighted Hungarian social issues, Multatuli drew attention to the abuses of the Dutch colonial system.

BELGIUM

Charles De Coster

(1827–1879)

A Belgian writer best known for his historical novels.

Three of his well-known works:

1. Thyl Ulenspiegel – The story of the Dutch struggle for freedom.
2. Légendes flamandes – Flemish Legends.
3. Contes brabançons – Brabantic Tales.

Similarities and Differences with Jókai: Both writers are significant figures in national identity and history. While Jókai focused on Hungarian history and society, De Coster explored Belgian national identity and history in his works.

FRANCE

Victor Hugo

Victor Hugo is a French writer, poet, and playwright best known for his historical and romantic novels.

Three of his well-known works:

1. Les Misérables – The struggles of a poor man in 19th-century France.
2. The Hunchback of Notre-Dame – The story of the famous cathedral and the fates of the people living in it.
3. The Man Who Laughs – The story of a disfigured child in 17th-century England.

Similarities and Differences with Jókai: Both writers fought against social injustices in their works. Hugo focused on issues of French society and history, while Jókai addressed Hungarian social and historical questions.

PORTUGAL

José Maria de Eça de Queirós

(1845–1900)

Eça de Queirós, a prominent Portuguese writer, is one of the most significant figures in realist literature. His works often contain critiques of Portuguese society.

Three well-known novels:

1. O Crime do Padre Amaro – The tragic love story of a young priest and a young woman.
2. Os Maias – The story of an aristocratic family that portrays the decline of Portuguese society.
3. O Primo Basílio – An extramarital affair and its consequences in the light of societal norms.

Similarities and Differences with Jókai: Eça de Queirós and Jókai both vividly depict the conflicts between social norms and individual desires. Eça de Queirós tends more towards social criticism and realism, while Jókai tells more idealized and adventurous stories.

SPAIN

Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer

(1836–1870)

Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer is a Spanish poet and writer best known for his romantic poetry.

Three of his well-known works:

1. Rimas – A collection of his romantic poems.
2. Leyendas – A collection of legends and folk tales.
3. Cartas literarias a una mujer – Literary letters to a woman.

Similarities and Differences with Jókai: Both writers are representatives of Romantic literature, and their works focus on passion and emotions. Bécquer became famous for his lyrical poetry, while Jókai is known for his novels.

SWITZERLAND

Gottfried Keller

(1819–1890)

A Swiss writer who is a prominent figure in German-language realist literature. His works depict the life and values of Swiss society.

Three well-known novels:

1. Green Henry – The life and development of a young artist in Swiss society.
2. A Village Romeo and Juliet – The tragic story of two young lovers reflecting social and familial conflicts.
3. The People of Seldwyla (Die Leute von Seldwyla) – A collection of short stories depicting the lives and tales of the inhabitants of a Swiss village.

Similarities and Differences with JókaiKeller and Jókai both vividly depict the conflicts between social norms and individual desires. Keller focuses more on realism and social criticism, while Jókai tells more idealized and adventurous stories.

KINGDOM OF ITALY

Alessandro Manzoni

(1785–1873)

An Italian writer, poet, and playwright, who is one of the most renowned figures in Romantic literature. His most famous work is The Betrothed (I promessi sposi), which is considered one of the most important novels in Italian literature.

Three well-known novels:

1. Fermo e Lucia – It deals with the story and struggles of two lovers; it was later revised and published under the title The Betrothed.
2. The Betrothed (I promessi sposi) – Set in 17th-century Milan, it tells the story of an engaged couple, Renzo and Lucia, and their struggle to stay together while overcoming numerous obstacles.
3. Storia della colonna infame – A novel set during the Milanese plague, dealing with social injustices.

Similarities and Differences with JókaiManzoni's works emphasize historical context and examine social issues, similar to Jókai's historical novels. However, Manzoni focuses more on the romantic style and religious motifs, while Jókai's works are more idealized and adventurous.

AUSTRIAN EMPIRE

Franz Grillparzer

(1791–1872)

An Austrian writer and playwright best known for his tragedies. His works often deal with themes of guilt and fate.

Three of his well-known works:

1. Das Goldene Vlies – The final part of Grillparzer's most famous tragedy trilogy is the tragedy *Medea*.
2. Sappho – A tragedy about the Greek poetess.
3. The Ancestress – An adaptation of a Czech legend.

Similarities and Differences with Jókai: Both writers are significant figures in their national literatures and explore the depths of the human soul in their works. While Jókai focused on Hungarian history and society, Grillparzer incorporated elements of Austrian national identity and Greek mythology in his works.

HUNGARY

Mór Jókai

(1825–1904)

Mór Jókai (born Ásvai Jókay Móric) was a Hungarian writer, playwright, and politician, one of the most significant figures in 19th-century Hungarian literature. He was born on February 18, 1825, in Komárom to a Reformed noble family. An enthusiastic supporter of the 1848 revolution, he later became an active political figure, serving as a member of parliament and a member of the Upper House for over twenty years.

Three well-known novels:

1. The Man with the Golden Touch – The novel tells the story of Mihály Timár, who comes into possession of a mysterious gold treasure, allowing him to start a new life.
2. A Hungarian Nabob – This story depicts the life and conflicts of the 19th-century Hungarian aristocracy.
3. The Baron's Sons – The novel is set during the 1848-49 revolution and war of independence, depicting historical events through the fate of a noble family.

SERBIA

Jovan Jovanović Zmaj

(1833–1904)

A Serbian poet who was one of the greatest representatives of national romanticism. His works often deal with the history and identity of the Serbian people.

Three of his well-known works:

1. Đulići uveoci – A collection of lyrical poems capturing the life of the Serbian countryside.
2. Roses – A collection of children's poems celebrating the beauty of family life and childhood.
3. Pevanija – A compilation of all his original and translated, poetic and prose works.

Similarities and Differences with Jókai: Both Jovanović's and Jókai's works share a focus on national pride and historical themes. However, while Jókai wrote extensively in the form of novels and dramas, Jovanović primarily composed poetry.

BULGARIA

Ivan Vazov

(1850–1921)

A Bulgarian writer and poet, revered as the father of modern Bulgarian literature. His works depict the Bulgarian national awakening and the country's history.

Three well-known novels:

1. Under the Yoke – The story of the Bulgarian uprising against Ottoman rule.
2. A Woman's Heart – A love story and the moral questions of Bulgarian society.
3. Outcasts – The suffering and struggles of the Bulgarian people during the 1877–78 war.

Similarities and Differences with Jókai: Both Vazov and Jókai provide detailed depictions of national history and social issues. However, Vazov's works primarily focus on the Bulgarian national awakening and historical events, while Jókai addresses a broader range of individual and societal dilemmas.

ROMANIA

Ion Creangă

(1837–1889)

A Romanian writer best known for his fairy tales and children's literature.

Three of his well-known works:

1. Childhood Memories – A work inspired by autobiographical childhood memories.
2. Fairy Tales – A collection of fairy tales.
3. Anecdotes and Stories – Narratives.

Similarities and Differences with Jókai: Both writers are defining figures in their national literatures, and their works often feature rural life and folk traditions. Creangă primarily focused on presenting Romanian folk tales and childhood experiences, while Jókai addressed Hungarian historical events and social issues.

Alexandros Papadiamantis

(1851-1911)

A Greek writer best known for his short stories and novels.

Three of his well-known works:

1. The Murderess – The story of a crime set in a small Greek village.
2. The Emigrant – The story of an emigrant.
3. The Gypsy Girl – The story of a Roma girl.

Similarities and Differences with Jókai: Both writers excelled in depicting rural life and social issues. Papadiamantis showcased the life and traditions of the Greek islands, while Jókai portrayed rural and urban life in Hungary.

OTTOMAN EMPIRE

Namık Kemal

(1840–1888)

A Turkish writer and poet, best known for his patriotic writings and for laying the foundations of modern Turkish literature.

Three of his well-known works:

1. İntibah – The love story of a young man and its tragic consequences.
2. Vatan Yahut Silistre – A patriotic drama centered on the theme of love for the homeland.
3. Cezmi – A historical novel set in the Ottoman era.

Similarities and Differences with Jókai: Both writers are important representatives of national identity and patriotism. Jókai depicted Hungarian history and the struggle for independence in his works, while Namık Kemal focused on issues of Turkish national consciousness and modernization.