Books about Romania – part 2
One country, three books
Following our initial article in the “Books about Romania” series, we're delighted to share our next suggestions. Here are three more books we highly recommend reading before you visit this captivating part of the world.
Enjoy!
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“In Search of Romania” by Dennis Deletant
Even after 35 years of transition from communism to democracy, I found that Romanian history can still be presented in a distorted and nationalist manner. That is why, in recent years, I've found it incredibly enlightening and refreshing to read books about Romania written by foreign authors.
I had this experience when I came across Dennis Deletant's "In Search of Romania."
Dennis Deletant’s connection to Romania spans nearly 60 years, marked by countless journeys from West to East. His dedication to understanding, writing, helping, and illuminating our recent history is profound; his knowledge often surpasses our own.
This book encapsulates his memoirs, penned with empathy and humor. It recounts his travels between London and Bucharest, and the obstacles Ceausescu's Security placed before the young English researcher eager to delve into Romania's language and history in the 1960s.
Dennis Deletant's book offers a glimpse into life under Ceausescu's dictatorship. He explores the hardships faced by the Romanian people, the oppressive role of institutions like the Securitate, and the lasting impact of that era on Romania's transition to democracy.
"In Search of Romania" serves as a reminder, tracing our origins and the remarkable distance we have traveled over the past 60 years. As Sabina Fati claimed, Deletant's unique perspective—possessing both distance and intimacy—allows him to highlight the details that truly matter.
I highly recommend this book. It is written by a remarkable researcher who possesses a deep understanding of Romania, surpassing that of many Romanians who tend to flatter themselves with the label of "patriots."
2. The Land beyond the forest – Facts, figures, and Fancies from Transylvania, by Emily Gerard
This book about Romania is, without a doubt, the most thorough exploration of Transylvania and its people that I have ever encountered. I found myself completely absorbed from beginning to end.
Emily Gerard, a Scottish novelist, traveled with her husband, an officer in the Austrian army, to Transylvania where they lived for 2 years starting in 1883. Then part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, today a historical region of Central and Western Romania, Transylvania was little known to readers back in England.
In the following years, she wrote this 2-volume book (published in 1888) as well as several articles on the region, which Bram Stoker used when researching the setting for Dracula.
She describes encounters with the different nationalities of Transylvania: Romanians, Szeklers, Saxons, Romas, and Jews. With a keen eye and typical humor, Emily Gerard's work offers a rich tapestry of the diverse nationalities residing in Transylvania.
She vividly portrays their unique characters, villages, traditions, and daily lives – from their occupations and customs surrounding marriage and family to their beliefs, superstitions, and even their folklore.
As a Romanian, I found her insights into the lives of ordinary people from different nationalities particularly valuable.
It's a reminder that history isn't solely about wars and dates; it's also about understanding the nuances of everyday life across cultures.
Gerard's work fills a gap in historical documentation by offering a window into the lives of these diverse communities and their distinct approaches to daily life.
3. The Transylvanian Trilogy, by Miklós Bánffy
The Transylvanian Trilogy is a is a novel in three parts by the Hungarian writer Miklós Bánffy, published from 1934 to 1940.
The book delves into a captivating love story set against the backdrop of rising Hungarian nationalist movements in Transylvania and Budapest, just before the outbreak of the First World War. The author, Miklós Bánffy, a prominent Hungarian politician and former foreign minister, vividly portrays nationalist ideology in Hungary. His work highlights instances where this ideology was, at times, devoid of any reason.
The end of the First World War had serious consequences for Hungary, resulting in the loss of numerous territories to its neighbors. During this tumultuous period, the author draws a parallel between his own life and that of the main character, Balint Abady. As Abady falls in love with a married Hungarian noblewoman, the book poignantly describes the suffering endured by both lovers.
While exploring the life of Miklós Banffy, I discovered a fascinating parallel between his fiction and reality. In real life, Banffy was also deeply in love with an actress, but their relationship was forbidden by his father. He believed that she was not suitable for a family of such high social standing in Transylvania. Banffy's writing skillfully intertwines these personal struggles with the broader political turmoil facing Hungary, creating a rich and complex narrative.
In an era where short-form video content dominates our entertainment and travel inspiration, these books offer a refreshing alternative. They challenge readers of all backgrounds to step outside their comfort zones and explore the world with a deeper understanding. We firmly believe that travel is a powerful form of education and that books play a vital role in fostering cross-cultural understanding.
For more travel inspiration, we invite you to explore our travel blog here or our tours here.
Do not forget that all these three books about Romania can be found on the internet, in hardcover or Kindle versions.
Best selling tours:
Treasures of Romania Tour
Treasures of Romania & Bulgaria Tour
Valentina Marinescu
Travel is my first name. If my passion for traveling involves a bike, it's even better. And if the day ends with a good book and a dry red glass of wine, then I live in a paradise.
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