The cover of the Hungarian edition of The Last Window-Giraffe
Published in Hungary ten years ago, The Last Window-Giraffe (Az utolsó ablakzsiráf ) is, at the same time, a volume of fiction and a document of an era. It is an examination of self as well as society. "The Last Window-Giraffe is a dictionary of Eastern Europe which contains that which was left out," according to Zilahy. (The title in Hungarian contains the first - ablak - and the last - zsiráf -words in the Hungarian dictionary.)
The book recounts Zilahy's experience protesting with Serbian students in Belgrade against Eastern Europe's last dictator Slobodan Milosevics between November 1996 and March of 1997. He thoughtfully catalogues the events with feeling and humour, and with a child-like voice. In addition to the protestors' story, Zilahy describes his own experience growing up in communist-era Hungary. The book is illustrated with Zilahy's own photographs.
Péter Esterházy, one of Hungary's best-known contemporary authors, said it as if The Last Window-Giraffe "was written by a journalist with the pen of a poet."
The cover of the English edition of The Last Window-Giraffe.
The Last Window-Giraffe was translated into English by Tim Wilkinson and published by the Anthem Press with a forward by the author Lawrence Norfolk. The book has been favourably reviewed by several of the UK's biggest papers. The Times Literary Supplement called the book "a generational confession" and Time Out Magazine called it "uncategorisable" and "compelling". The author Julian Evans said the book is "not only a great piece of literature but a visual feast as well."
The book has been well-received in other countries as well. In an interview with a Budapest radio broadcaster, Zilahy said Ukraine's Orange Revolution took several creative ideas from The Last Window-Giraffe.
Photo: abovo.hu / Hungarian Cultural Centre in London
