Along the Enchanted Way: A Story of Love and Life in Romania
by William Blacker
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Description
When William Blacker first crossed the snow-bound passes of northern Romania, he stumbled upon an almost medieval world. There, for many years he lived side by side with the country people, a life ruled by the slow cycle of the seasons, far away from the frantic rush of the modern world. In spring as the pear trees blossomed he ploughed with horses, in summer he scythed the hay meadows and in the freezing winters gathered wood by sleigh from the forest. From sheepfolds harried by wolves, to show more courting expeditions in the snow, he experienced the traditional way of life to the full, and became accepted into a community who treated him as one of their own. But Blacker was also intrigued by the Gypsies, those dark, foot-loose strangers of spell-binding allure who he saw passing through the village. Locals warned him to stay clear but he fell in love and there followed a bitter struggle. Change is now coming to rural Romania, and William Blacker's adventures will soon be part of its history. From his early carefree days tramping the hills of Transylvania, to the book's poignant ending, Along the Enchanted Way transports us back to a magical country world most of us thought had vanished long ago. show lessTags
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Member Reviews
Having visited Romania in the 1990's when this book began I found it very reminiscent of the way of life at that time. I found some parts particularly moving. Although sceptical at first of the author's intentions I was won over by his sincerity and involvement with the people. The ambiguity of Western attitudes to a disappearing way of life with those of the Romanians themselves are well presented if not resolved.
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Published Reviews
ThingScore 75
This chronicle of life in northern Romania, a place mercifully free of cars and television until very recently, is a jewel. It is a portrait of a complete world, with its glorious landscapes, its squabbling villagers – and above all the gipsies, whose main activities seem to be singing, fighting and procreation, and not necessarily in that order....Blacker not only sets the scene but he sets show more it in its historical context with easy elegance. And what a context it is. The peoples of northern Romania have been ripped up, transported, tortured and persecuted by a succession of invaders and brutal home-grown dictators like the ghastly Ceaus¸escus, the Macbeths of the Communist East Bloc. show less
added by avatiakh
Author Information
10 Works 140 Members
Awards and Honors
Awards
Common Knowledge
- Important places*
- Transilvania, Romania; Maramures, Romania
*Some information comes from Common Knowledge in other languages. Click "Edit" for more information.
Classifications
- Genres
- Travel, Nonfiction, Biography & Memoir, General Nonfiction
- DDC/MDS
- 914.980432 — History & geography Geography & travel Geography of and travel in Europe Other European Countries Romania
- LCC
- DR210 .B58 — History of Europe, Asia, Africa and Oceania Balkan Peninsula History of Balkan Peninsula Romania Description and travel
- BISAC
Statistics
- Members
- 124
- Popularity
- 262,441
- Reviews
- 1
- Rating
- (3.97)
- Languages
- English, Italian
- Media
- Paper, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 4
- ASINs
- 3
