Attila: A Barbarian's Love Story

By Peter Hargitai

Reincarnation of Attila the Hun? Does the past decide the future? When East meets West, the clash determines whether Attila becomes the barbarian of history or a modern hero who forges his own... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0595273009
• ISBN13: 9780595273003
• Release Date: March 2003
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Length: 268 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.1" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

Attila: A Barbarian's Love Story

This autobiographical novel tells Peter Hargitai's tumultuous and difficult life story. Attila, a Hungarian boy, who moves to Cleveland, Ohio manages the struggles of teenage life along with the problems of dealing with a close-minded, tight-knit, eastern European family. As a foreigner, everything seems different to him, the schools, the families and the people. Right before his senior year of high school, Attila is forced to change schools, from Cathedral Latin High School, an all-boy, religious private school to Fairview High School, a co-ed, public school. Attila is angry at his parents for making him leave his high school a year before graduation, so they can live in a neighborhood of better status. Although it is all fate, because at Fairview High he meets the beautiful and enchanting Millie. Soon the two become inseparable, although both of their families are against their love. Her family does not approve of his lack of money, and his family does not approve of her Jewish background, and the fact that she is not Hungarian. As crazy about each other as they were, Attila and Millie managed to have several fights, and several make-ups too. It seems through it all that they are meant for each other. Especially in Attila's case, it seems that he needs her in his life to keep himself sane. She is his escape from the hell, he has to deal with at home. Although his character seems somewhat sexually pushy with her, the reader knows that he is in love and not just trying to have sex with her. Millie was very teasing with him but also very definite in the fact that she would not have sex until marriage. It is then that the love-crazy couple decide to get married. In one of the most endearing parts of the novel, it is not a real ceremony just the two of them in their private wedding. They exchange rings and a recite real vows of love to one another. The wedding has a symbolic value, because from that point on the two will always be with each other and support the other. Although the wedding in reality had no real martial value, it did not matter because it to them it did. The two are later caught by Millie's mother having sex in the dining room. They lose contact for a long time, in that time Attila sinks into a deep depression. After things cool over, and they reunite, things seem better, but then Attila's mother and older brother decide to leave America because of an argument over Attila's college money which was given away. Then one day the unthinkable happens, Attila's father dies in a car accident. It was unknown whether the accident was truly an accident or if it was done purposely. When Attila was given his father's belongs by the policeman, he finds in his father's wallet one his first poems. This part of the novel was very touching, because it seems that his father never really appreciated Attila for any of the good things he accomplished. This was Attila's way of knowing that his father really did care and appreciate him. The novel ends

"Attila: A Barbarian's Love Story" Review

In my opinion "Attila: A Barbarian's Love Story" is a captivating novel. I have to admit that at the start I wasn't really feeling the book, but once I kept reading it got better and better. The plot is basically about a young boy named Attila whom is searching to find peace of mind. The struggle of his family and love life are the central plot. Attila's interests in imperfection made him quite the character. He wasn't your everyday adolescent boy that dreamed of the perfect woman. The irony is extremely intense and adds on to the suspense. Although it is fiction, I couldn't really pin-point what was unreal which made the book very realistic. I would highly recommend this book to teenagers or those who enjoy reminiscing on their teenage years. I give the novel five stars due to the awfully real image it depicts.

Cool

This book about a young boy named after the barbarian Attila was a great read, except for the beginning. A good portion of the beginning was interesting, that is if you enjoy reading about the Hungarian Revolution. But it's worth it, because once the book gets to its destination, America, I couldn't put it down.The problem with the beginning is that you don't know what's going on, your trying to memorize foreign names, and figure out where they are going and why. It's too much at once and once you get to America most of the first characters get pushed aside and the story focuses again on Attila. But the love story and how the couple went through their own personal struggles were inspiring to me and I bet to many others. It's always nice to read about what most of us go through every day through someone else's eyes.

A Master Peace, November. 23, 2003

The novel Attila: A Barbarian's Love Story by Peter Hargitai is a work of a talented author. I extremely recommend that all education institutions should make students read this novel. While I was reading the book I realized that Peter Hargitai have no type of weaknesses in the story, everything was just perfect. Attila life describes teenagers life today, it explain why we do the things we do. Attila life wasn't lovely, his family wasn't perfect and his life wasn't perfect. Attila A Barbarian's Love Story is a novel of choosing a path. I learned the true meaning of love while read. Peter Hargitai used excellent terms and ways to describe the story. Reading this novel made me realized how important it is to make the right decision in life. Choosing a path is a part in life. Throughout the majority of the novel, there are numerous levels of concentration varied since some of the chapters were grabbed my attention. This book is very touching as well as gratifying. It made me how to appreciate the small things we take for granted. Attila is a great story to share with others.

...the Dogs of War...

"Attila: A Barbarian's Love Story" is the finest example of auto-biographical story telling to emerge in a very long time. This novel is a true detailing of life's dramatic and sometimes quiet twists and turns. Often times auto-biographies are dull and can lapse into stages of self pity, but this novel attacks the reality of life head on and relentlessly drives the reader towards its' completion. This was a truly amazing novel.