Derek Hansen: Lunch With The Stationmaster

Reviewed by RAEWYN ALEXANDER

At a favoured Italian restaurant, friends from various countries tell their stories in turn, "duelling egos", flexing their minds for enjoyment rather than yet another business deal. These men cancel appointments to be there every Thursday, relishing gourmet meals with entertainment that has taken a serious turn. This particular saga belongs to Milos Heyman or, as he was known in his native Hungary, Heyman Milos.

Familiar teasing and provocation in luxury contrasts with the stark, troubling minutiae of Hungarian life during World War II. Milos is agitated, not only because of the trauma he recalls, but because this passionate man has a hidden agenda - and time is pressing.

History, it's been said, is written by the victors (who want people to believe they were valiant and correct). Hansen's novel scopes behind that propaganda. Milos' personal experiences relay a forceful message to his friends, even in their distance from events. An Australian, Neil, says wryly that the foreigners pity him since " ... we've never had a war on our own soil." He's certain everyone can forget the past, dump their baggage and start anew. Many New Zealanders possibly echo this sentiment.

Countless media have discussed and explored the Nazi phenomenon, and you may think the subject redundant. Today, though, we also have ethnic cleansing and refugees, and similar stories to those in Lunch with the Stationmaster: the bullying of "outcast" children at school, frightened friends of condemned families trying to help, informers keeping notes to swap for money later, black marketeering, betrayal, rape, murder, and love affairs on hold or utterly altered through unimaginable upheavals.

Lunch With The Stationmaster turns out to be a novel particularly about men's comradeship: how subtly that emotion is expressed in a network developed beyond simply trading, or because of it.

Hansen's language is very accessible. I prefer more surprises and originality, but since the book is long, was eventually glad of Hansen's easy style.

I found it difficult at first to believe that Milos would speak so evenly and eloquently, at any lunch table. People relating with friends use some vernacular, everyday speech, not succinct grammar in paragraphs without repetition.

At times, characters also expressed cliche reactions and foibles like stereotypes in an advertisement. Later I was drawn in though, and swept along by Milos' story, concerned about his fate and Hungary shattered by war. More to this lunch than I first believed. The repast is a pleasure; I leave you to the flavours.

HarperCollins $34.95

* Raewyn Alexander is an Auckland author and poet.