Submitted by Bethanne on Wed, 12/03/2008 - 8:18pm
Domnica Radulesca, like her protagonist Mona, grew up in Communist Romania, emigrated to the United States as a teenager, and earned a doctorate. But Radulescu's novel Train to Trieste is not a memoir -- and she explains why in this interview. She also talks about how her own life informed Mona's, and why writing fiction is what she intended to do all along.
Radulescu, who is the Chair of Women's Studies at Washington & Lee University in Lexington, Virginia, believes that her academic writing and fiction writing have more in common than not. I hope you'll enjoy this video, from a new voice in literary fiction. You can always drop me a line here: the book maven at gmail dot com and let me know.
Domnica Radulescu
Domnica Radulescu discusses her debut novel Train to Trieste.
Authors mentioned in this post:
Books mentioned in this post:
[...] about their work and is
[...] about their work and is hosted by Bethanne Patrick. It’s a first-rate interview with Domnica. Here’s the link to view for yourself. Patrick asks excellent questions, and Domnica offers fascinating insights [...]
As one of Domnica's former
As one of Domnica's former students at Washington & Lee University ('95) I was witness to her boundless creativity, contagious passion for language, and appreciation for offbeat humor. She introduced me to Romanian-born Ionesco and Theatre of the Absurd, which sparked a curiosity about literature in other cultures. I am thrilled to hear she has been pursuing writing and look forward to reading her books.
Paul Friedrich, thank you for
Paul Friedrich, thank you for your kind words -- and I agree with you about Domnica's careful and lovely answers.
Jennifer Latham Shotwell, how great to hear from someone who has experienced Domnica's teaching! She and I had a very lively conversation before and after the interview; she knows so much about so many aspects of literature.
[...] urmari video-ul aici.
[...] urmari video-ul aici. Vizionare placuta caşmir, [...]
This is a lovely interview.
This is a lovely interview. Radulescu speaks so intelligently on profound issues such as exile and the realities of the immigrant's life. I love the ways she brings the many threads of her career and life together organically giving us a clue about the origins of her novel.
The novel Train to Trieste
The novel Train to Trieste can not be successful in Romania because of Mona’s negative traits of character. The novel is written in a superficial manner. For the American public, it might be something exotic to a certain extent, but not too far.
Let's hope the next work will be better.
I am surprised by your
I am surprised by your comment, Peter A. Contrary to your claim, actually Train to Trieste is selling very well in Romania, it is almost sold out of its first run, and it is the third best selling book of the Tritonic publishing house that published the book. Many of my friends and family in Romania have read the book and loved it. As for Mona’s “negative traits of character,” she is an intelligent, passionate, independent, funny and resourceful heroine who takes her life in her own hands and overcomes many obstacles successfully. In most circles these are considered positive traits. Besides, even if she did have shortcomings, such as being too impulsive or naive at times, it is a well known fact that some of the most interesting characters of world literature are not perfect beings, but complex individuals with light and shadows. You might want to reread the book in light of this perspective.
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