The lyrical story of a young woman's journey from the totalitarianism of Eastern Europe to the freedom of America, told by an author who knows first-hand about living in a cruel and absurd dictatorship.It's the summer of 1977, and seventeen-year-old Mona is madly in love. Visiting her aunt's village at the foot of the misty Carpathian mountains, all she can think about is the mysterious, handsome Mihai, the woods where they linger, his deep green eyes, and his cool, starched sheets.Romania is in the early years of the repressive Ceausescu regime. One day Mona sees Mihai wearing the black leather jacket favored by the secret police. Could he be one of them?As food shortages worsen, paranoia grows, and more of her loved ones disappear in "accidents," Mona realizes she must leave her country. She makes a daring escape to America without saying goodbye to Mihai. In Chicago, she becomes a doctoral student, marries, has children, and tries to bury her longing for the past—until she feels compelled to return home and learn the truth about her one great love.
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"This book was just beautiful! It was well written and descriptive without being overly wordy. It flowed like poetry and made me feel the sadness of loving and mourning a country in such turmoil. This book is 100% about the journey not the beginning or the end. I could not put it down." — Dezarai (5 out of 5 stars)
"This book was just beautiful! It was well written and descriptive without being overly wordy. It flowed like poetry and made me feel the sadness of loving and mourning a country in such turmoil. This book is 100% about the journey not the beginning or the end. I could not put it down."
" The story of a young girl who escapes Communist Romania and makes her way to italy, and eventually to Chicago. The main character is not very warm or likable, and some of the situations seem contrived, but the author describes well the hardships endured by Romanians under their oppressive and ever-watchful former government. "
" I listened to this on audio, and the narator really added to the experience. It was quite interesting reading about the Romania during the communist time, and the experience of one who escaped. However, I found the ending quite unsatisfactory. "
" feel free to judge this book by its cover "
" This was poetic, evocative, passionate and filled with longing. I learned about a time and place I knew very little about (1970's Romania) without feeling as if dry facts were being crammed down my throat. One of the best books I have read in a long time. "
" Growing up under the Ceausescu dictatorship, a talented young woman is caught up in suspicion, secrets, and a desire to escape. It's a great story on history defines our lives. "
" Radulescu conveys well what it is like to live in an environment of paranoia--with all relationships being affected by it. I couldn't relate as well to Mona's longings for the home she lost. "
" Beautifully written and emotionally engaging. "
" Boring second half. Contrived conclusion. "
" Based on the first chapter, I thought I was going to hate this book. The prose the author was using seemed way over the top for me, but she toned it done after that and I got sucked in. Great book! "
" Listened to this in my car and loved it because of the political history mixed in with life story of a Romanian female, beginning in 1940s. Not sure I'd have enjoyed it as much in print -- but the reader had a melodious Romanian accent that was simply delightful. Good story. "
" I loved this book. It is a gorgeously written love story set in Romania during the time of Chowcesco (I listened to it on CD so I don't know how to spell his name) "
" Cute--Plot too familiar...Kite Runner again "
" A somewhat interesting story but I didn't love the writing style. "
" Great story about lost love, leaving your homeland, and trying to find peace. "
" Started out really strong and engaging but then lost the urgency and attentions to detail towards the end that left the story somewhat unraveled and lost. Overall an interesting narrative and good read. "
" Fresh, full of sounds and colors , nostalgia, sensitivity.A symbolic train, the symbolism referring to freedom. Not the freedom we enjoy through democracy, but through self-esteem. "
" A bit melancholic at times but overall it was a good insight into the political and daily struggles of Romania in the 70's and 80's and the emigration and assimilation of life in America. "
" Interesting look at life in Romania in the 70's, and what is (I presume) a semi-autobiographical journey. Some areas seemed to drag on a bit too much for me, and I wasn't totally captivated by the character, but I did appreciate it for the history. "
Domnica Radulescu is a French and Italian distinguished literature professor at Washington and Lee University, a Fulbright scholar, and an award-winning playwright. She escaped the Communist dictatorship in her native Romania in 1983 and settled in the United States as a political refugee. Radulescu is the author of three novels, including Train to Trieste, which won the Library of Virginia Fiction Award, and Black Sea Twilight.
Yelena Shmulenson is an actress and Earphones Award–winning audiobook narrator. She emigrated to the United States with her family in 1993 from Ukraine. Her theater credits include five seasons with the Folksbiene, two seasons at the Ellis Island Theatre, Enemies: A Love Story in Russian, and The Essence: A Yiddish Theater Dim Sum. On film, she can be seen in The Good Shepherd, Romeo & Juliet in Yiddish, Fire at the Triangle, and A Serious Man.
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