One Moldavian Summer

This Romanian novel, published in 1924, is apparently a national favourite, with the introduction to this English translation claiming that “almost any Romanian can tell you about the three principal heroes of the story, Dănuţ, Olguţa and Monica”. This novel was the first of a coming-of-age trilogy, called La Medeleni, set in the early 20th century in Moldavia (the northeastern region of present-day Romania). The trilogy “follows his heroes through the innocence of childhood to adulthood as they experience the tragic years of the First World War” in which more than half a million Romanians died.

The author, Ionel Teodoreanu (born 6 January 1897), came from Iaşi, the main city of Moldavia, and belonged to a family of lawyers and intellectuals. Whereas the author was conscripted in 1917 and joined a unit at Botoșani, he was never sent to the front. A brother, Laurențiu, was killed serving as a pilot on the Western Front.

Probably the most poignant scene of the novel comes when it is decided that 11-year-old Dănuţ should be sent away to boarding school. Before the final decision has been made, Dănuţ hurts himself playing football and reflecting on his injury recalls a verse of poetry learnt at school:

“Wounded in the war, the soldier had fallen
And before long his days of torment ended.
Far from the mother that had brought him up
and who had loved him.”

His uncle, who had proposed that he be sent away to school, reminds Dănuţ's mother:
“...it won't be so long until the time comes for military service. Whether you like it or not, they'll take him from you... For you — and especially for him — it is preferable for the separation to be tearless, manly.”

Dănuţ reflects on his departure by revisiting Robinson Crusoe for a last time before consigning the book to the attic:
“Bidding farewell to the island, I took with me the cap, the sunshade and the parrot, nor did I forget the money I have spoken about, which having been hidden for so long, had got rusty.”
The author describes Dănuţ's preparation for departure:
“Danut’s heart was an island Robinson had left, taking with him only his cap, his sunshade and his parrot... The first grade... the second... the third... the fourth... the fifth... the sixth... the seventh... the eighth... and more grades after that... Dănuţ alone facing an ocean of school desks. In the attic there was only what had once been... In the attic was Robinson Crusoe's island. Beyond the attic were the school desks.”