Romania's citizens are deeply impacted by the country's turbulent history, which reverberates throughout their lives. Within Romanian literature, profound experiences shaped by this history are portrayed through themes of love, growth, and loss that transcend both time and space. Many Romanian authors are represented even on the world stage, but we strive to select the best.
#1 The Hunger Angel by Herta Müller
Nobel laureate Herta Müller's novel, "The Hunger Angel," traces the harrowing journey of seventeen-year-old Leo Auberg as he is deported to a Soviet Union camp in 1945. Trapped within the confines of this closed setting, Leo's only escape lies within his own introspection. Through Müller's skilled storytelling, readers bear witness to the depths of Leo's soul, his struggles, and his unyielding determination. Leo's narrative reveals his constant battle to suppress tears, even when faced with countless reasons to shed them. "Hunger" becomes both Leo's insatiable companion and his rawest connection to life itself.
#2 How I Spent My Summer Holiday by T.O. Bobe
How I Spent My Summer Holiday is a remarkable tale brimming with humour – a novel born out of a 10-year-old's school essay. As young Luca embarks on a mission to outshine his rival, Miruna, a simple homework assignment unravels into a poignant portrayal of a dysfunctional family, shedding light on the neglect and mistreatment that mirror the fabric of contemporary Romanian society.
#3 Life Begins on Friday by Loana Pârvulescu
During the late nineteenth century, this novel delves into the enigmatic occurrences that unfolded over thirteen days, from December 19th to 31st, 1897. As the holiday preparations were underway, Bucharest, a prominent figure in Romania's belle époque, witnessed extraordinary events. Two individuals stumble upon a startling revelation involving influential community members. As chaos erupts, everyone scrambles to restore order.
We simply cannot choose the top author, since all these books are masterpieces. Why choose the best one when you can read them all? Moreover, with the story book reading app, you can delve into reading directly on your smartphone. If you are looking for novels online, you can try FictionMe. The service offers a huge selection of books from Romanian authors of different levels, even beginners.
#4 The Forbidden Forest by Mircea Eliade
The Forbidden Forest, a highly acclaimed novel in Romanian literature, depicts the life of Stefan, a public servant working at the Ministry of the Economy. After encountering a captivating and enigmatic woman named Ileana at a midsummer celebration, Stefan embarks on a spiritual journey, caught between his love for his wife, Ioana, and his lust for his newfound mistress.
#5 Revolution 1989 by Victor Sebestyen
In 1989, Europe witnessed the fall of the Iron Curtain, with the Berlin Wall becoming an iconic symbol of this transformation. Among the countries trapped behind this oppressive divide was Romania, ruled by Nicolae Ceausescu, one of the most brutal dictators of Europe. On Christmas Day of that year, following a mock trial, Ceausescu faced the ultimate fate - execution by firing squad. This uprising by the people marked the end of a dark era in Romanian history and set the stage for a gradual but significant political reform that ultimately led to Romania's accession to the European Union.
#6 Bengal Nights by Mircea Eliade
Maitreyi, published in Romanian as "Bengal Nights," tells a fictionalized tale of the author's forbidden love with Maitreyi Devi, the protege of Bengali poet Rabindranath Tagore. The novel follows Allan, an expat residing in India and working for a company headed by Narendra Sen. After falling ill with malaria, Allan is hospitalized and subsequently invited to the engineer's home. There, he meets and falls deeply in love with Maitreyi, the engineer's daughter.
To honor their agreement, Eliade, the author, assured Maitreyi that the English version would not be published during their lifetimes. Consequently, the English edition was only released in 1993, after their passing.
You can also write your own book. If you think that this will take years of your life, then I hasten to please you, because everything is a little simpler. You can generate a novel AI story much faster. AI does not completely replace humans, but it reduces the workload on them. Perhaps you are the very Romanian author who can gain worldwide recognition.
#7 A Stake in Transylvania by Arabella McIntyre-Brown
This one is quite intriguing. Currently, A Stake in Transylvania is exclusively available in English at bookstores in Bucharest. However, we hope it will be accessible worldwide in the near future. We came across it at a bookshop in Bucharest, read the synopsis, and thought, "This sounds amazing. I'll grab it on Kindle later," only to discover that it hasn't been released on Kindle yet.
Putting all that aside, A Stake in Transylvania will undoubtedly become a highly recommended book. Its author, Arabella McIntyre-Brown, is a British writer who spent many years in the UK as an author and magazine editor. Eventually, she found herself attending too many funerals and feeling disillusioned by life in Britain, leading her to escape to the Transylvanian wilderness.
Conclusion
Reading has many benefits for us. This is not just a way to pass the time in transport.
Reading helps us unlock our potential
explore the depths of human nature, and better understand ourselves.
Plus you can also better understand the flavor and history of Romania.
