In the Lap of Happiness

Fülszöveg

"In the Lap of Happiness," a story by the Latvian writer Rudolf Blaumanis (1863-1908), is alsó the title of the present volume. This somewhat ironical title reflects to somé extent the author's own attitűdé towards life. People seek happiness and understand it in so many different ways. Blinded by her love for a young and handsome lad, the rich Raudup widow who had sold her youth to an old husband she had never loved, believes that happiness can be bought with wealth. She snatches frantically at this illusion of happiness, to attain which she does not spare her own child. The daughter of old Koklap ("Story About the Pig That Could Talk") would never have known happiness but for her father's superstition that frustrated his own plans. Blaumanis1 writings reveal the warm touch of an originál artist who is moved by kindly feelings for his fellow-men. He plumbs the ínnermost depths of humán psychology, and affirms with a gentle smile that three cannot dance in couples ("Odd Man Out")... Tovább

Fülszöveg

"In the Lap of Happiness," a story by the Latvian writer Rudolf Blaumanis (1863-1908), is alsó the title of the present volume. This somewhat ironical title reflects to somé extent the author's own attitűdé towards life. People seek happiness and understand it in so many different ways. Blinded by her love for a young and handsome lad, the rich Raudup widow who had sold her youth to an old husband she had never loved, believes that happiness can be bought with wealth. She snatches frantically at this illusion of happiness, to attain which she does not spare her own child. The daughter of old Koklap ("Story About the Pig That Could Talk") would never have known happiness but for her father's superstition that frustrated his own plans. Blaumanis1 writings reveal the warm touch of an originál artist who is moved by kindly feelings for his fellow-men. He plumbs the ínnermost depths of humán psychology, and affirms with a gentle smile that three cannot dance in couples ("Odd Man Out") and that life "in the lap of happiness" is none too sweet.
i! 4 | Rudolf Blaumanis was the son of manor servants on a rural estate. He studied a little at a priváté school, graduated from the Commercial School in Riga, worked in a business firm's office, and was clerk in a landowner's employ. The future writer closely studied the life of the peasants and manor servants, with whom j he quickly förmed a close friendship. The only person he could not make friends with was his employer, the master of the estate, who picked quarrels with his "troublesome" clerk and eventually dismissed him. Blaumanis wrote his first story when he was twenty, and by 1890 he was already author of numerous stories, plays, and articles. He became a regular contributor to a number of Latvian newspapers, and moved over to Riga. After Riga he lived for somé years in St. Petersburg. Blau- j manis wrote numerous stories, short novels, and plays. ! Vissza