An outlaw's diary: revolution

"An Outlaw’s Diary: Revolution" by Cécile Tormay is a story set during the Hungarian Revolution, giving a firsthand view of the messy aftermath of World War I. It shows the breakdown of society when Count Michael Károlyi's National Council takes over. The main character deals with feelings of sadness and being let down as the established ways fall apart and revolution sweeps through Budapest. The book opens with a dark mood on October 31st, 1918, as the city gets ready for the Day of the Dead. The protagonist notices the disorder caused by the revolution, feeling angry and without hope because of the major political changes. Against a backdrop of discouraged people, the narrator thinks about the chaos and moral decline around them, pointing out acts of violence and mayhem that perfectly show the destructive effects of revolution. The author captures the emotional confusion and changes in society, pulling readers into a world on the edge of ruin, setting the stage for the unfolding drama of a country in crisis.