THE PAUL STREET BOYS– FERENC MOLNAR

The Paul Street Boys

MY COMMENTS :

This world-famous classic tells the story of a gang formed by a group of high school students and their adventures in their quest for dominance in an empty playground they designated as their territory.

The gang leader named Boka, who is also one of the two main characters, organized a group of friends from his class and designated an unowned real estate as their playground.

Elsewhere in the region, student groups have similarly claimed the area and have entered into a fight over the playground with another group known as the red shirts.

Nemecsek, a character who appears to be one of the weakest links in Boka's gang, is assigned the lowest rank in the gang's hierarchy. However, as a result of his experiences, Nemecsek discovers that the red shirts have been joined by a boy named Gerebin, whom they thought was their own losing presidential candidate.

While secretly spying on them in their area as part of his informant activities, Nemecsek witnessed Gerebin's blatant treasonous plan. Unable to contain himself, he demonstrated a remarkable example of loyalty and courage to all the gang members. He subsequently contracted a serious illness as a result of being forced into the lake and back as punishment.

Later, Gerebin regretted his actions and wanted to return to his former organization, but Boka initially rejected him. However, when they realized he was truly remorseful, they gave him one last chance and assigned him a key role in the upcoming war in their region.

During this period, Nemecsek was recorded in the association's ledger as a traitor after leaving a Paste Association meeting the day before his capture by the Red Shirts to pursue Gerebin without explaining himself to the association president. However, when his actions were later revealed, his name was engraved in the association's ledger in gold letters, even though he was unable to see it.

Boka and his gang, having liberated their territory, were unable to prevent Nemecsek's death, a feat comparable to real-life battle. Even the leader of the rival gang expressed his respect for his heroic actions by visiting him at his home and wishing him well.

Despite its poignant ending, the work contains important lessons about the world of children. Considering that the world of adults is far more brutal and lawless, the work's adherence to even the rules of war and hostility sets a precedent for adults. Furthermore, through exemplary encounters, it poignantly demonstrates that two gangs of children, who show no respect even to their enemies, actually teach important lessons that adults should teach in real life.

Considering that, as all children are told to do during childhood and adolescence, we imitate our elders by taking them as role models, it's clear that emulating children will actually advance us in this work. However, it's important to note that in a world where children are educated in this way, adults also share this character.

Children, or rather, young people, are like litmus papers. Whatever we learn from our families in childhood, we build the truths and realities of our lives on that knowledge. If we have received fundamental training from our families, such as respect, love, and the ability to keep one's word, then, regardless of external factors, it will eventually be possible to preserve the essence of our essence.

The work, which expresses to the reader in a different and extraordinary way that we must first have exemplary parents in order to raise an exemplary society, contains very valuable messages for readers of all ages.

In conclusion, the work clearly demonstrates why it is considered a modern classic, a reference work from which readers of all ages can learn important lessons about life.

MY QUOTES(*) :

1. This famous Hungarian work, The Boys of Paul Street, has been translated into many languages and is popular in the United States, as well as in Italy, Germany, England, and Sweden.

2. The book was first published in 1906. Therefore, it is necessary to point this out to avoid the illusion that this work is the result of the emotions aroused by the two wars that have occurred since then, or to show that it would be a mistake to perceive the shirt color of one of the warring parties as a reference to quasi-military and modern political formations. ( End of Excerpts from the Preface )

3. Anyone who has even a passing knowledge of business etiquette in the world knows that the price of goods is directly proportional to the risk involved.

4. Boka rarely spoke nonsense and disliked the jokes played by his classmates. He avoided his friends' fights, and despite refereeing being an honorable duty, he stayed away. Experience had taught him that no matter what the decision, one side would be dissatisfied, and the blame would fall on the referee.

5. Nemecsek happily followed commands. Some children enjoy obeying orders, but many prefer to be the ones in charge. That's the nature of humankind. That's why everyone except Nemecsek is senior.

6. Gerebîn's words weren't yet met with unconditional trust within the gang. Such was the fate of criminals. Even when they spoke the truth, they couldn't be trusted, but the general's words dispelled all distrust.

7. According to reliable war correspondents, the greatest danger in war is confusion. Commanders-in-Chief fear the smallest disturbances on the battlefields, which can create a wave of panic in a matter of seconds, more than hundreds of weapons.

8. Chewing paste is not common among the French; indeed, the pastes used in our country are not suitable for chewing. However, according to the famous novel we are reading, this is an appropriate behavior for children, and Hungarians have since noted that chewing paste has become common among young people in the country, and even among glaziers. ( End of Work Excerpts )

MY EVALUATIONS:

Subject : The story is about the adventures of a gang formed by a group of high school students and their struggle to control an empty playground they designated as their territory.

Style: It should be noted that the work has a simple and clear narrative from the outset. This allows the intended messages and plot to be conveyed to the reader more effectively.

Originality : Although the topics it covers are adapted from the realities of a certain period, it should be noted that it is one of the books that can be considered original in terms of its narrative style and its ability to make the reader feel in the shoes of children.

Character : The character scheme in the work is at a sufficient level according to the genre of the book, and is built on the backbone of two main characters and 5 supporting characters, rather than side characters that would make it difficult for the reader to follow.

Fluency : Considering the elements mentioned in the style and subject section, it can easily be stated that the work has a language that is both engaging and fluent.

General : In the evaluation made out of 10 in accordance with the criteria stated above:

Subject: 8.5

Style: 8

Originality: 8

Characters: 8

Fluency: 8.5

The book, which received 8.2 points, has an overall average score of 8.2 . Passing the 8 threshold and earning an 8 or higher in all categories, it clearly demonstrates why it is among the modern classics. In this respect, it deserves a place on the bookshelf of readers of all ages as a reference book.

(*) : All parts in the Quotations heading:

THE PAUL STREET BOYS

Author : Ferenc Molnar

Publisher : Olympia Publications

Edition : Istanbul - 2024

The photo used on the cover was used as a quote from the book.