Book: Under the Frog

"Under the Frog" by Tibor Fischer is a darkly comic novel set in post-World War II Hungary, following the tumultuous lives of two basketball players, Gyuri and Pataki. As members of a traveling team, they navigate the oppressive and absurd realities of life under a communist regime. Through their misadventures on and off the court, the novel exposes the surreal and often tragic mosaic of a society trapped between dreams of freedom and the harsh confines of dictatorship. Fischer crafts a narrative rich in historical context, filled with biting humor and poignant insights into human resilience. The duo's journey unfolds amidst the backdrop of Hungary’s dashed hopes for liberation, depicting their relentless pursuit of personal escape and identity against a backdrop of political chaos. Spirited and satirical, "Under the Frog" offers a unique lens on the struggle for autonomy and the enduring human spirit in the face of relentless adversity.