István Tömörkény’s 'Célszerű szegény emberek' is a hidden gem of Hungarian literature. Written over a century ago, it reads like a smart, timeless fable about human nature and the dream of a quick fix.

The Story

The plot is simple and brilliant. In a small village, the people are struggling, but they’re not completely destitute. Then, a clever (or maybe not-so-clever) idea takes hold. Someone suggests that if the entire village officially registers as 'paupers'—the absolute poorest of the poor—the state will be forced to give them aid, land, and support. They decide to become professionally poor. The rest of the book shows this plan in action. Families start pretending their homes are shacks. They hide their few decent possessions. They compete to see who can look the most miserable. It’s a collective performance where everyone is both actor and audience, and the goal is to win by appearing to have lost everything. You watch as this shared lie twists their community in unexpected ways.

Why You Should Read It

What makes this book so great is how recognizable it feels. Tömörkény isn't just writing about 19th-century peasants; he's writing about people. We’ve all seen versions of this—the get-rich-quick scheme, the bending of rules, the 'us versus them' mentality. The humor is dry and observational. It’s funny because it’s true. You’ll laugh at the villagers' antics, but you’ll also feel for them. Their desire for a better life is real, even if their method is absurd. The author has a deep affection for his characters, showing their cunning, their foolishness, and their stubborn hope without ever looking down on them. It’s a story about community solidarity built on a shared deception, and that’s a fascinating contradiction to explore.

Final Verdict

This book is perfect for readers who love character-driven stories with a sharp wit. If you enjoy satirical classics like Gogol’s 'Dead Souls' or the gentle, ironic humor of some of Mark Twain’s smaller tales, you’ll find a friend in Tömörkény. It’s also a fantastic, accessible entry point into Central European literature. You don’t need to be a history buff; you just need an appreciation for stories about clever plans that spiral out of control and the timeless, often funny, struggle to get ahead. A short, smart, and thoroughly enjoyable read.