Magda Szabó

Set in Hungary during the Second World War, Abigail follows fourteen-year-old Gina Vitay, the sheltered daughter of a Hungarian general. When her father unexpectedly sends her to a strict boarding school in the countryside, Gina feels betrayed and struggles to adapt to the school’s rigid rules and unfamiliar environment. Forbidden from revealing her father’s identity or explaining the circumstances of her arrival, she initially rebels against her teachers and classmates. Gradually, however, she discovers that the school hides secrets of its own, and that an enigmatic figure known as Abigail may offer help to those in danger. As the war intensifies, Gina must abandon her childish assumptions and learn to trust others, confront difficult truths, and take responsibility for her actions. Blending coming-of-age fiction, mystery, and historical drama, Szabó’s novel explores courage, loyalty, sacrifice, and the struggle to preserve one’s humanity under an oppressive regime.