Hi, ya'll. We're contemplating a three week journey to these cities. I'm looking for reading material. I've read Kalfa, Kindera and Jaraslav Hasek. Does anyone have further suggestions? I'm particularily hoping for something "lowbrow", like a historical romance novel, Michner style read or multi-generational family saga set in this area of the world. Thank you to anyone who comes up with something!

I meant I've read Milan Kundera, not Kindera. I'm at work and have to type fast before the man sees!

Since you mentioned Michener, there's Bridge at Andau by James Michener. However, it's actually not a Michener-style book. It is short and not fun, about the Hungarian revolt in 1956.

How 'bout movies? Not lowbrow, but even quicker than a "quick read". "The Third Man" is one of my favorite moves and is set in post-WWII Vienna. Great screenplay and cinematography plus you get to see Orson Welles and Joseph Cotten give stellar performances. <BR> <BR>Also, a movie I've wanted to see is "Sunshine", a multi-generational (fits one of your criteria at least) drama released in 1999 (I believe). Ralph Fiennes stars and Istvan Szabo directs. My memory is fuzzy, but I believe that Szabo wrote the screenplay loosely based upon his family history of the trials of a Jewish family trying to integrate in Hungary.

If you really want some background into the Austro-Hungarian Empire and a wealth of historical detail dating from the 1840s to post WWI, look to Edward Crankshaw's The Fall of the House of Habsburg. In a lighter vein and equally intriguing check out Frederic Morton's "A Nervous Splender". While it deals with only one year (1888-89)and has its emphasis on life in Vienna, you'll witness the tragic murder/suicide at Mayerling and the emergence of Freud, Empress Elisabeth, Emperor Franz Joseph, Mahler, Klimt, Schnitzler and Bruckner. A fascinating read and a good introduction into the world of the former empire amd its eminent citizens.

Sunshine definitely fits your criteria for Hungary -- very good movie. <BR> <BR>I'd also recommend the Raoul Wallenberg story (very dramatic, has been written/turned into TV shows/films by tons of people)-- a Swedish diplomat who singlehandedly helped hundreds of Hungarian Jews escape the Nazis.

I second the Raoul Wallenberg story. The book is named Righteous Gentile. I can get the publisher and ISBN if you like as I have the book at home. He saved into the thousands of Hungarian Jews escape the Nazis. Well written and very interesting but not fiction.