Thomas Pataky

Time to Say Good-bye Thomas Pataky

Fifty years ago nave, immature and optimistic students, not unlike Steve, Tom and Christy in the book provided the spark for the Hungarian up rising. They deposed the Communist government and fought bare fisted against the mighty Red Army. For eleven days they were victorious and may have fore shadowed the eventual fall of the Soviet Empire. After eleven days the movement was over powered and punishment was forth coming. For many escape became the only way to avoid torture, imprisonment or worse. There were narrow escapes from whirling events. The novel is also a love story of young people who are trying to make sense of an adult world. The readers see our heroes as they flee from the restrictions of the government and from ingrained beliefs and family prejudices until they emerge from the carefree youthful dream world as penniless, homeless refugees, to seek happiness and prosperity in another country. The future of our heroes remains open, to be discussed in a future volume.