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In THESE LIVES, daily Cold War existence under the despotic dictatorship of Nicolae Ceaușescu, is vividly documented. Drawn against a chaotic background of hardships, horrors, and hilarity, story after story depicts every imaginable aspect of that era: from cold, brutal murders and betrayal, to the abiding love between a husband and wife. These stories flow from the memories of Romanian expatriate Eliade Moldovan, who grew up in that country in painful, troublesome times. Recounted from both his own experiences and those of family and friends, the tales within all have one thing in common: the indomitable spirit of humankind to do right in the face of great evil and adversity. Particularly relevant today, THESE LIVES offers a chance to understand how tyrannical regimes come to power and what sparks a revolution. It also pays homage to the men and women of Romania who struggled for centuries and yet still survived to tell their stories. |
Editorial Reviews
“Full of philosophical musings, gritty survival tales and unforgettable characters, Eliade Moldovan's THESE LIVES is a fascinating look at the little-understood world of postwar Romania.”
Indie Reader “Moldovan documents, with a sensitive intelligence, the irrepressibility of human pride… Overall, this is a sad but never hopeless collection of true stories, conveyed with insight and empathy. A gripping portrait of oppression in Romania.”
Kirkus In his memoir These Lives: History, Hilarity, Horror - Growing Up in Cold War Romania, Eliade Moldovan sheds light on the exotic (for many people) Romania as a mystical place where ancient traditions, laughter, and wit are inseparably connected.
Reedsy Discovery This book is fascinating. I have studied Soviet history but Romania and their experiences are often footnotes and so I was intrigued to read this book. Once I started I was enthralled from the start. The book is really well written, managing to be both humorous and moving throughout. I liked the fact that it showed snapshots into real people’s lives and touched on many different aspects of life under the Communist Regime. An absolutely fascinating read that I really recommend.
BookSprout (Beta Reader) - Izzy Nicholson |
