Clouds Over Markota: 
An American fighter pilot; a Hungarian farmer's daughter; for the rest of the world the end of the war meant peace, but in Eastern Europe the trouble was just beginning. Endre and Ilonka's lives are on a collision course and will soon become intertwined through their shared jeopardy as they struggle to find ways to survive not only a war, but also a brutally oppressive Soviet occupation. 

The Story Behind the Story
Not only is this manuscript a historical fiction but it also has its own history. As a survivor of the Hungarian Revolution and an immigrant from Hungary, my father worked on this novel for years, but left it unfinished when he passed away. My research for this novel led me to rent an apartment in Budapest, walk the narrow streets that the Soviet tanks once rolled down, and visit the small town of Markota. There I met people who remembered my father as if he'd left only yesterday, although more than 50 years had passed since the violent revolution that drove him from his home. 

Clouds Over Markota is essentially fiction, but the characters are representative of many who lived through these turbulent years, and the political events are true to history. 

About the Author
Kathleen holds a Master of Arts degree in Humanities (Literature) and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. Her studies in creative writing include numerous writing courses and a writing mentorship with the University of Toronto.

Hungary photo credits:  Jamie Anne Haiden

What are readers saying about

Clouds Over Markota?

"My family is from Hungary, but being born in Canada, I went there once to visit and learn firsthand about my distant roots. This book resonates with my experience there and accurately captures the simplicity of Hungarian life in the countryside. There's a certain sadness in reading about the lighthearted antics of Lajos and Sanyi in the midst of a war, but that makes the characters' thoughts and feelings seem all the more relatable. This is a must-read for any Canadian or American of Hungarian descent!"  Amazon Customer

"Clouds Over Markota drew a wonderful picture of what life must have been like in a small village in Hungary during World War 2; the life changing things the people had to endure and the decisions they had to make. I found the story flowed beautifully from character to character and kept me wanting to read more to find out what happened next.This book is a great lesson in history and inspires me to visit Hungary."  Kathy O.

"An engrossing account of daring and hope, epitomizing the noblest of human instincts…doing the right thing in the face of terrifying consequences. The authenticity of this story of a family living in a rural Hungarian village, thrust into the midst of battle in the dying days of the Second World War, who chose to save the life of an enemy pilot despite the probability of immediate execution if caught, seizes the reader’s attention from the outset and does not let go until the inspiring ending. A great read, written with passion and pace, and guaranteed to leave even the most jaded reader with fond and lingering memories."  Mel S. 

OTHER BOOKS BY KATHLEEN HEGEDUS

Adventures on the high seas with Sailor Bean and his friends.

Go to Sailor Bean website

Email Kathleen