Beware of Pity

In the twilight of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, a young cavalry officer is invited to a dance at the home of a rich landowner.

There - with a small act of attempted charity - he commits a simple faux pas. But from this seemingly insignificant blunder comes a tale of catastrophe arising from kindness and of honour poisoned by self-regard.

Beware of Pity has all the intensity and the formidable sense of torment and of character of the very best of Zweig's work. Definitive translation by the award-winning Anthea Bell.

©1976 Atrium Press, 2011 Anthea Bell (P)2017 Ukemi Productions Ltd

Reseñas de la Crítica

"Zweig’s fictional masterpiece." ( Guardian)

Profound novel with a subtle message about our responsibility as guardians of democracy in the face of totalitarianism.

Great storyline. Always on the uncomfortable side, yet smooth and freely flowing. Great ending. But it’s all about the bigger picture and what Zweig was really trying to convey: how to deal with fascism. This novel is very applicable to our current political situation.

The distance of being and pretending

The story is delicately written. It might be a little slow and remote, but the core still enlightens me so much.
The motivations in human relationships are complicated, sincere, and changing. How can we truly understand ourselves and express without misunderstanding to others?
For me, the main message lies in finding the fine line and trying to keep our lives respectable to ourselves. But the story could be unfolded in so many possibilities and interpretations. It speaks of a rare respective to question ourselves.

Recommended by Jeffrey Archer

In Oxford Union Discussion someone asked Jeffrey Archer which author he really admired and he mentioned this one.

If it's good enough for Mr.Archer it is fantastic for me.

I must comment on the Narrator. He added the passion and drama to the story, so much, that I almost came close to tears at times.

truly remarkable piece of writing. I am glad I found it.

Zweig’s perception of human nature is unparalleled

Zweig is my favorite writer and I am naturally biased to praise his writing. However, despite my preference for his style, his insight, his literary excellence, I am fully objective when I determine that this is, indeed, one of his best works.
The performance does justice to characters and the narrative. Such a deeply felt read. I am thankful that Zweig is read and shared so intimately.

Well paced psychological and probing

Our hero under takes a long and convoluted process of self analysis in this wonderful and suspenseful psychological novel

Zweig writes with the intensity of Edgar Allan Poe’s first person narration, and with the psychological complexity in dealing with obsessed characters that dust day of ski possesses. Dostoevsky!