Romanian Stories (Illustrated): A Collection of Fifteen Stories Written by Some of Romania's Best Writers Paperback – March 19, 2018

I bought this book because I will be traveling to Romania and I wanted to sample its literature. I chose this selection of short stories because I thought it might present a variety of times and locations, and be readable in short stretches. I expected this 300-page book to last longer, but the stories flowed quickly (a very readable translation), and in a few days I was out of stories. I loved the three stories by Sadoveneau--the poignancy of "The Wanderers"; the energy and the twist at the end of "Cozma Racoare"; the suggestiveness and beauty of "The Fairy of the Lake"; the beauty of the character Sandu in "Out in the World"; the pain of unspoken love in "Irinel"; the charm of "Popa Tanda". These were my favorites, but I enjoyed all. Human nature is here in its grandness, its pettiness, its oft-unrewarded yearning, its shyness, its ambitions, its poverty and struggles, its foibles. Romanian household customs and feast day and regional practices were delightful discoveries. I am glad that this was my introduction to Romanian fiction writers.

excellent anthology for readers who like to read across the world

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