The first significant review about a Hungarian author’s book in German this year appeared in the Neue Zürcher Zeitung with the title Aus der saturnischen Welt (From the Saturnian World) by Hansjörg Graf. The volume in question, Sturzlicht, is made up of two books: the best of Szijj’s (1958) book of poetry up to date, Rindertum (Kéregtorony – Crust Tower, 1999), a harrowing attempt to come to terms with childhood traumas, and Die Große Schlackenweise (A nagy salakmező – The Great Clay Field, 1997), a volume containing poems and miniature prose pieces, as well as the poet’s drawings and photos. According to Graf, Szijj continues the tradition of modern European literature, reminding the reader of Cioran, Beckett and Flaubert. In his writings, the borderline between poetry and prose is blurred, the critic says. Songs and observations intermingle in his dreams, reflections interrupt poetry. The alter ego of the poet is in flight, yet he is fully aware that he cannot change the state of things and is doomed to passivity. The critic praises the ’transforming ability’ of the poet, his secret coding of the world. Graf notes that one must pay attention to subtle details when translating Szijj’s poetry, but his translators were not always fully able to meet this requirement. More information on Szijj | 
