Bottled Goods

A mix of realism with magical realism from Eastern Europe

I was drawn to this book because it is about a place that is close to me—Romania—and about leaving it during the Communist dictatorship of Ceausescu. I wanted to see another take on the subject, and this gave me what I looked for. I wasn't entirely fond of the magical realism aspect, which seemed tacked on, not fully woven through the story. The novella (novel?) switches between very realistic parts and a more folkloristic look at old Romanian folkways that were submerged under Ceausescu. I couldn't quite figure out whether the magical realism was covering up parts that couldn't be addressed by the author, or whether it was added on as a way to beef up the story and add interest for Western readers. Others I'm sure will love this aspect of the book (I do not dislike magical realism—read One Hundred Years of Solitude and thought it beautiful). The tone of the realistic parts sounded more honest and heartfelt to me. Because the book nevertheless delivered on the promise that first drew me to the book, to show me the life of an ordinary couple under Ceausescu and what happens when life in Romania becomes unbearable, I rounded up to 4 stars.