Zoltán Ambrus's Midás király is a classic Hungarian take on the ancient myth, and this second volume is where the story truly finds its voice. It moves past the familiar fable and into richer, more complicated territory.

The Story

We rejoin Midas after the curse (or gift) of the golden touch has been lifted. He's fabulously wealthy, his kingdom is powerful, and by all ancient standards, he's won. But Ambrus isn't interested in victory laps. Instead, he shows us a king drowning in his good fortune. Midas sits atop a kingdom built on gold, but he's isolated. His daughter, the one person who once saw him as just 'father,' is now distant, treated like a princess. His court is full of flatterers who love his gold more than him. Every relationship is filtered through the lens of his wealth. The plot follows Midas as he grapples with this emptiness. He tries to reconnect with his past, with simple things, but his golden legacy is a wall he can't break through. It's a quiet, psychological unraveling of a man who got his wish and is now cursed by its fulfillment.

Why You Should Read It

What grabbed me was how current this all feels. Ambrus, writing over a century ago, perfectly captures a very modern anxiety: the fear that success might ruin you. Midas isn't a villain; he's a relatable figure. We've all chased something—a job, a goal, a dream—and wondered if it would be worth it. Midas shows us the extreme version of that doubt. The writing is sharp and clear, focusing on human emotions rather than mythical spectacle. You feel Midas's growing paranoia and regret. It’s a character study that uses a legendary frame to ask universal questions about value, love, and what we sacrifice to get ahead.

Final Verdict

This isn't a fast-paced adventure. It's a thoughtful, almost melancholic, exploration of a classic character. It's perfect for readers who love myth retellings that focus on the human heart, like Madeline Miller's work, but with an older, more philosophical flavor. If you enjoy stories about the price of power or historical fiction that feels psychologically real, you'll find a lot to love here. Give it a go if you're in the mood for a book that's quiet, smart, and sticks with you long after you've turned the last page.