Antal Szerb's first novel is a gently satirical blend of gothic and romantic genres, crossed with a murder mystery to produce a fast-moving and often hilarious. Antal Szerb's first. . A mystical element is diffused through an. The author's first novel, originally published in , set in a castle in North Wales, host to all the conventions required of isolated castles of Wales. Invited to the family seat--Pendragon Castle in North Wales--Batky receives a mysterious phone call warning him not to go; but he does and finds himself in a. The book is a philosophical thriller/comedy/murder-mystery/ghost story set first in London and then in Wales. "The Pendragon Legend" by Antal Szerb is an uneven gothic story set in Wales after World War One. It includes the usual spooky castle, mysterious characters. Invited to the family seat, Pendragon Castle in North Wales, Batky receives a mysterious phone-call warning him not to go. The Pendragon Legend by Antal Szerb, translated by Len Rix / ISBN / page paperback from Pushkin Press (I read this 15 years and always. Antal Szerb's first novel The Pendragon Legend (), set in Wales is a gently satirical blend of gothic and romantic genres, crossed with the murder.