The Pendragon Legend

By Antal Szerb, Len Rix (translator),

Book cover of The Pendragon Legend

Book description

At an end-of-the London season soiree, the young Hungarian scholar-dilettante Janos Batky is introduced to the Earl of Gwynedd, a reclusive eccentric who is the subject of strange rumours. Invited to the family seat, Pendragon Castle in North Wales, Batky receives a mysterious phone-call warning him not to go. Antal…

Shepherd is reader supported. When you buy books, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Why read it?

1 author picked The Pendragon Legend as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

First published in 1934, this extraordinary novel begins with a chance meeting between the Hungarian narrator, János Bátsky, and reclusive Welsh aristocrat the Earl of Gwynedd, who invites Bátsky to visit him in his castle in Wales. Our hero accepts the invitation, in spite of various warnings (his friend Fred describes the Earl as "Mad as a hatter!" and an anonymous phone call advises Bátsky that everyone who becomes involved with him "comes to a sticky end"). From this point on, the story becomes increasingly bizarre, involving ancient grudges, the Rosicrucians and a laboratory full of giant axolotls.

If someone…

Want books like The Pendragon Legend?

Our community of 10,000+ authors has personally recommended 55 books like The Pendragon Legend.

Browse books like The Pendragon Legend

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in Wales, London, and World War 1?

10,000+ authors have recommended their favorite books and what they love about them. Browse their picks for the best books about Wales, London, and World War 1.

Wales Explore 50 books about Wales
London Explore 772 books about London
World War 1 Explore 875 books about World War 1