“Grandpa, what is honor?” asked Jonas after a short silence, tilting his head and looking at Kazimieras with curious, wide eyes.

Kazimieras smiled, sighed deeply, and tapped his fingers on his old but sturdy oak stick.

“Honor, my grandson, is more than a word. It is more than your name, your actions, the promise you make, and how you keep it. It is your conscience that follows you every step of the way.”

He paused for a moment, as if trying to find the right words for a small child to understand a big concept.

“Honor is what people will remember about you even when you are gone. It’s how you treat others, how you stand up for others if you need to. Honor is also your blood, which flows from one generation to the next, passed down as your greatest asset.”

Jonas moved even closer to Kazimieras, his forehead furrowed with fine lines of thought.

“But, Grandpa, can honor be lost? Can it be exchanged?” There was anxiety in his voice.

Kazimieras slowly nodded his head.

“A man can lose everything—his wealth, his land, even his name. But if he doesn’t give up his honor himself, no one will take it from him. "...

Excerpt From FAMILY HONOR by Antanas Maziliauskas

Antanas Maziliauskas

Why and what is the Novel "FAMILY HONOR" about?

The idea of publishing an English translation, expanded with additional historical context and a new chapter focused on family members who emigrated, came after the remarkable success of the original Lithuanian edition, "Šeimos garbė". That novel, shortly after publication, captured the hearts of readers in Lithuania and abroad. Many of those readers living outside Lithuania expressed a desire for an English version, as their descendants no longer speak Lithuanian and cannot easily explore the country’s history and culture. At the same time, international readers around the world are likely to be fascinated by Lithuanian traditions, family heritage, and the universal themes of resilience, honour, and the bonds of family.

In creating this edition, I have sought to preserve the authenticity of the Maziliauskas family history while making the story accessible and engaging to English-speaking readers. The additional subsections and chapter about the family’s emigrants provide detailed accounts of their journeys and experiences, offering insights into how the family’s legacy continues across borders. Even readers from other nations may discover striking similarities with their own family histories, as themes of migration, heritage, and perseverance resonate universally.

Why? My personal approach

Family Honor is a sweeping novel of survival, love, and legacy.

Born from a legend of a nameless rider who carried only his honor into the land of Dokiai, the story follows Jonas, a son of seventeen children in Paaluonys. His life is scarred by loss, fire, prison, and hardship, yet strengthened by love, resilience, and an unbreakable devotion to family.

Through wars, occupations, and the struggle for independence, the novel reveals how families preserved their identity and dignity against all odds. With powerful dialogue and vivid scenes of village life, Family Honor is both a tribute to Lithuania’s past and a timeless story of hope, love, and the strength of generations.

Testimonials

Reader's testimonials

“The book is captivating. It reads very easily and draws you in so much that you can’t stop reading.” Nijolė, Kaunas

★★★★★

“This book left a profound impression on me. It touched my heart — I could feel my grandparents’ lives within its pages: their struggles, their wisdom, their quiet dignity. It’s a story about what truly matters — work, love, honour, and the quiet meaning found in everyday life.The vivid depictions of nature breathe truth and serenity, as if time has paused for a moment between labours, letting one simply observe the world. It’s a world slowly fading from our daily lives but alive in memory and words. Šeimos garbė (Family Honour) is not only about the past — it’s about preserving what matters and passing it on to future generations. A must-read for everyone who cherishes family values, memory, and authentic human stories.” Ilona, Kaunas

★★★★★

“I liked Šeimos garbė (Family Honour). Congratulations on a successful debut novel! The book is clearly written from the heart, with great love for family members. I liked the short, easy-to-read chapters and the well-chosen, interesting stories, situations, and adventures of the family members. I could often identify with the characters and their experiences — it wasn’t just a description of stories. Although I think even a simple account of the family history would have drawn me in, I understand that the book is meant for a wider audience. I thought it might have been useful for readers if there were a bit more additional context, such as a family tree or a map.” Jonas, Kanbera, Australija

★★★★★

★★★★★

★★★★★

“After reading, I was amazed by how precisely, simply, and beautifully the situations of rural life and human relationships are described. I highly recommend it.” Onutė, Skaudvilė

“A deeply moving read — I was brought to tears more than once. The tender moments are portrayed with such beauty and sensitivity.” Regina, Kėdainiai

“An easy and engaging read. The life episodes are beautifully chosen, and the relationships between people are portrayed with great sensitivity and depth. I learned so much about the lives of earlier generations. A novel I can warmly recommend to readers of all ages.” Eglė, Kaunas

★★★★★

★★★★★

★★★★★

“I couldn’t put it down — I read it through the night! The places and people felt so real and familiar, and I saw so many parallels with my own family. Highly recommended — you’ll find stories that truly resonate.” Viktorija, Paaluonys

“I really liked it. The dialogues are excellent and natural, and the descriptions of nature are vivid. I was completely drawn in — I couldn’t stop reading.” Genutė, Babtai

★★★★★

“A wonderful book! Authentic biographical stories about family and ancestral roots that brought back vivid memories of rural life — and even brought tears to my eyes. The paths of Paaluonys I once walked as a child, visits to my grandmother, school days in Jankūnai, and Sundays at Leščiai church — everything felt so real, as if it happened just yesterday. It’s an engaging, heartfelt novel you simply can’t put down. Thank you, Antanas, for this beautiful book!” Jūratė, Kaunas