A Hungarian Nabob

"A Hungarian Nabob" by Mór Jókai is a late 19th-century novel set in Hungary that follows the lives of John Kárpáthy, a wealthy and eccentric nobleman, and his nephew Abellino Kárpáthy, who comes from Paris hoping to inherit the Nabob's fortune, weaving a tale of social interactions, wealth, and the peculiar habits that define the lives of its characters. The story begins by placing readers in a rainy and muddy Hungarian setting, where Peter Bús, an innkeeper, thinks about the terrible situation of his "Break-'em-tear-'em" inn while visitors come despite the bad circumstances. As guests arrive in the terrible weather, there is a funny dialogue between Peter and the gentry, especially about the Nabob's foolish requests, providing a lighthearted start. This opening introduces a colorful variety of eccentric people, setting the tone for a rich mix of comedy and tragedy as the plot of money and kinship develops.