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Ion
Leather Binding on Spine and Corners with Golden Leaf Printing on round Spine (extra customization on request like complete leather, Golden Screen printing in Front, Color Leather, Colored book etc.) Reprinted in 2022 with the help of original edition published long back [1920]. This book is printed in black & white, sewing binding for longer life, Printed on high quality Paper, re-sized as per Current standards, professionally processed without changing its contents. As these are old books, we processed each page manually and make them readable but in some cases some pages which are blur or missing or black spots. We expect that you will understand our compulsion in these books. We found this book important for the readers who want to know more about our old treasure so we brought it back to the shelves. Hope you will like it and give your comments and suggestions. - und, - Volume 1, Pages 308. EXTRA 10 DAYS APART FROM THE NORMAL SHIPPING PERIOD WILL BE REQUIRED FOR LEATHER BOUND BOOKS. COMPLETE LEATHER WILL COST YOU EXTRA US$ 25 APART FROM THE LEATHER BOUND BOOKS. {FOLIO EDITION IS ALSO AVAILABLE.} Complete Ion; roman. Volume 1 1920 Rebreanu, Liviu, -
251 pages, Library Binding
First published January 1, 1967
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About the author
Liviu Rebreanu
73 books325 followersLiviu Rebreanu was a Romanian novelist, playwright, short story writer, and journalist.
Born in Târlişua (currently Bistriţa-Năsăud County), Transylvania, then part of Austria-Hungary, he was the second of thirteen children born to Vasile Rebreanu, a schoolteacher, and Ludovica Diuganu, descendants of peasants. His father had been a classmate of George Coşbuc's and was an amateur folklorist. Liviu Rebreanu went to primary school in Maieru (where he was taught by his father), and then in Năsăud and Bistriţa, to military school at Sopron and then to the military academy in Budapest. He worked as an officer in Gyula but resigned in 1908, and in 1909 illegally crossed the Transylvanian Alps into Romania, and lived in Bucharest.
He joined several literary circles, and worked as a journalist for Ordinea, then for Falanga literară şi artistică. At the request of the Austro-Hungarian government, he was arrested and extradited in 1910. Rebreanu was incarcerated in Gyula, being freed in August; he returned to Bucharest. In 1911-1912 he was secretary for the National Theater in Craiova, where he worked under the direction of short story writer Emil Gârleanu. He got married to actress Fanny Rădulescu.
His first published in 1912 with a volume of novellas gathered under the title Frământări ("Troublings"). During World War I Rebreanu was a reporter for Adevărul, and he continued publishing short stories: Golanii ("The Hooligans") and Mărturisire (Confession) in 1916 and Răfuială ("Resentfullness") in 1919. After the war, he became an important collaborator at the literary society Sburătorul led by the literary critic Eugen Lovinescu.
In 1920 Rebreanu published his novel Ion, the first modern Romanian novel, in which he depicted the struggles over land ownership in rural Transylvania. For Ion, Rebreanu received a Romanian Academy award - he became a full member of the institution in 1939. Between 1928 and 1930 he was chairman of the National Theatre of Bucharest, and from 1940 to 1944 he was President of the Romanian Writers' Society.
In 1944, aged 59, he was diagnosed with throat cancer. Rebreanu shot himself in the mouth, in his country house in Valea Mare, Argeş County
Born in Târlişua (currently Bistriţa-Năsăud County), Transylvania, then part of Austria-Hungary, he was the second of thirteen children born to Vasile Rebreanu, a schoolteacher, and Ludovica Diuganu, descendants of peasants. His father had been a classmate of George Coşbuc's and was an amateur folklorist. Liviu Rebreanu went to primary school in Maieru (where he was taught by his father), and then in Năsăud and Bistriţa, to military school at Sopron and then to the military academy in Budapest. He worked as an officer in Gyula but resigned in 1908, and in 1909 illegally crossed the Transylvanian Alps into Romania, and lived in Bucharest.
He joined several literary circles, and worked as a journalist for Ordinea, then for Falanga literară şi artistică. At the request of the Austro-Hungarian government, he was arrested and extradited in 1910. Rebreanu was incarcerated in Gyula, being freed in August; he returned to Bucharest. In 1911-1912 he was secretary for the National Theater in Craiova, where he worked under the direction of short story writer Emil Gârleanu. He got married to actress Fanny Rădulescu.
His first published in 1912 with a volume of novellas gathered under the title Frământări ("Troublings"). During World War I Rebreanu was a reporter for Adevărul, and he continued publishing short stories: Golanii ("The Hooligans") and Mărturisire (Confession) in 1916 and Răfuială ("Resentfullness") in 1919. After the war, he became an important collaborator at the literary society Sburătorul led by the literary critic Eugen Lovinescu.
In 1920 Rebreanu published his novel Ion, the first modern Romanian novel, in which he depicted the struggles over land ownership in rural Transylvania. For Ion, Rebreanu received a Romanian Academy award - he became a full member of the institution in 1939. Between 1928 and 1930 he was chairman of the National Theatre of Bucharest, and from 1940 to 1944 he was President of the Romanian Writers' Society.
In 1944, aged 59, he was diagnosed with throat cancer. Rebreanu shot himself in the mouth, in his country house in Valea Mare, Argeş County
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December 30, 2019
Primul volum al clasicului Ion.
Este o opera literara romaneasca ce prezinta viata taranilor din Pripas. Bla bla bla. Am sa innebunesc cu prezentarea asta spusa de toti profesorii de limba romana.
Uite, tu care imi citesti recenzia, ce ar trebui sa stii despre aceasta carte:
Exista 3 familii a carori "voci" se fac auzite in cartea asta. Familia Glanetasului, familia Baciu si familia Herdelea. Mai e si un preot care nu are toate tiglele pe casa, dar ala face parte din alta parte.
Ion (Familia Glanetasului), barbat sarac, fara pamant, dar muncitor si dornic de avere o iubeste pe Florica (cea mai bunoaca fata din satul Pripas... Un soi de Antonia a zilelor noastre), dar pentru ca duduia nu avea pamant ca zestre (avea un purcel si cam atat), Ion trebuia sa gaseasca o solutie sa obtina pamant. Isi sacrifica dragostea si se tine dupa fundul Anei (familia Baciu) care avea pamant... bine, tac-su, Vasile, avea pamant, dar Ion nu putea sa se insoare cu Vasile, dar daca ar fi putut ar fi facut-o pentru ca tipul era disperat dupa avere. Vasile, zgarcit si betivan, nu vrea sa ii dea fata. Vasile vrea sa isi marite fata cu George, baiat instarit din sat pentru ca stia ca George poate astepta pana crapa dansul. Vasile isi iubeste pamantul la fel de mult ca Ion.
Vasile incearca sa ii apropie pe George si Ana, dar Ion ii face vizite nocturne Anei si intr-o seara, pe cuptor, Ion o fertilizeaza pe Ana.
George il vede pe Ion plecand de la Ana si George renunta in a o cuceri pe Ana. Ana ramane gravida din pacate. Vasile cand afla cu cine e facut copilul, o bate pe Ana pana o mutileaza sufleteste, psihic si fizic (nu, nu i-a scis niciun ochi cu furculita, dar fata de la atata plans si suferinta a avut tragice transformari faciale)
Ion nu o mai vrea pe Ana (ii spune asta lui Vasile ca sa atate focul dintre ei doi pentru ca Vasile tot nu voia sa ii dea pamanturile), dar ajung la un asa zis "Happy end" unde Ana si Ion se casatoresc, dar lui Ion i s-au aprins iar calcaiele dupa fosta lui iubire patimasa: Florica cea Saraca, dar frumoasa in draci.
Familia Herdelea este familia invatatorului din satul Pripas. Acestia il calauzesc pe Ion cum pot ei pe catarul de Ion, dar cand le iese, cand nu le iese. Au 2 fete si un baiat. Baiatul e un poet, dar care este "rusinea parintilor lui", iar pe fata lor mai mare, Laura, o vor maritata cu un preot care promite sa ovia fara zestre, dar Laura il vrea pe Aurel... Insa tor cu preotul ajunge pentru ca se impaca cu ideea de a nu il avea pe Aurel ca sot. Familia Glanetasului si Familia Herdelea intra in bucluc cu traznitul satului a.k.a. Preotul Belciug, dar deja dau prea mult din casa.
Descrierea este facuta in stilul de a fi inteleasa de oricine. O scurta parere: Totul este foarte exagerat, descrierea lui Ion, trairile lui, planurile lui, obsesia lui, dar merita citita. Este greu de digerat pentru ca actiunea nu se petrece intr-un prezent sau intr-un viitor imaginabil, ci intr-un trecut apus pe care tinerii il percep mai greu.
I-am dat 5 stele deoarece daca vreodata profa mea de romana va citi recenzia asta, sa nu ii iasa spume la gura.
Este o opera literara romaneasca ce prezinta viata taranilor din Pripas. Bla bla bla. Am sa innebunesc cu prezentarea asta spusa de toti profesorii de limba romana.
Uite, tu care imi citesti recenzia, ce ar trebui sa stii despre aceasta carte:
Exista 3 familii a carori "voci" se fac auzite in cartea asta. Familia Glanetasului, familia Baciu si familia Herdelea. Mai e si un preot care nu are toate tiglele pe casa, dar ala face parte din alta parte.
Ion (Familia Glanetasului), barbat sarac, fara pamant, dar muncitor si dornic de avere o iubeste pe Florica (cea mai bunoaca fata din satul Pripas... Un soi de Antonia a zilelor noastre), dar pentru ca duduia nu avea pamant ca zestre (avea un purcel si cam atat), Ion trebuia sa gaseasca o solutie sa obtina pamant. Isi sacrifica dragostea si se tine dupa fundul Anei (familia Baciu) care avea pamant... bine, tac-su, Vasile, avea pamant, dar Ion nu putea sa se insoare cu Vasile, dar daca ar fi putut ar fi facut-o pentru ca tipul era disperat dupa avere. Vasile, zgarcit si betivan, nu vrea sa ii dea fata. Vasile vrea sa isi marite fata cu George, baiat instarit din sat pentru ca stia ca George poate astepta pana crapa dansul. Vasile isi iubeste pamantul la fel de mult ca Ion.
Vasile incearca sa ii apropie pe George si Ana, dar Ion ii face vizite nocturne Anei si intr-o seara, pe cuptor, Ion o fertilizeaza pe Ana.
George il vede pe Ion plecand de la Ana si George renunta in a o cuceri pe Ana. Ana ramane gravida din pacate. Vasile cand afla cu cine e facut copilul, o bate pe Ana pana o mutileaza sufleteste, psihic si fizic (nu, nu i-a scis niciun ochi cu furculita, dar fata de la atata plans si suferinta a avut tragice transformari faciale)
Ion nu o mai vrea pe Ana (ii spune asta lui Vasile ca sa atate focul dintre ei doi pentru ca Vasile tot nu voia sa ii dea pamanturile), dar ajung la un asa zis "Happy end" unde Ana si Ion se casatoresc, dar lui Ion i s-au aprins iar calcaiele dupa fosta lui iubire patimasa: Florica cea Saraca, dar frumoasa in draci.
Familia Herdelea este familia invatatorului din satul Pripas. Acestia il calauzesc pe Ion cum pot ei pe catarul de Ion, dar cand le iese, cand nu le iese. Au 2 fete si un baiat. Baiatul e un poet, dar care este "rusinea parintilor lui", iar pe fata lor mai mare, Laura, o vor maritata cu un preot care promite sa ovia fara zestre, dar Laura il vrea pe Aurel... Insa tor cu preotul ajunge pentru ca se impaca cu ideea de a nu il avea pe Aurel ca sot. Familia Glanetasului si Familia Herdelea intra in bucluc cu traznitul satului a.k.a. Preotul Belciug, dar deja dau prea mult din casa.
Descrierea este facuta in stilul de a fi inteleasa de oricine. O scurta parere: Totul este foarte exagerat, descrierea lui Ion, trairile lui, planurile lui, obsesia lui, dar merita citita. Este greu de digerat pentru ca actiunea nu se petrece intr-un prezent sau intr-un viitor imaginabil, ci intr-un trecut apus pe care tinerii il percep mai greu.
I-am dat 5 stele deoarece daca vreodata profa mea de romana va citi recenzia asta, sa nu ii iasa spume la gura.
November 14, 2016
Target audience: Common people, anyone interested in historical fiction, psychological novels and the period of the World War I and the land of Transylvania.
About the author: According to Wikipedia, Liviu Rebreanu was a Romanian novelist, playwright, short story writer, and journalist. He worked as an officer in Gyula but resigned in 1908, and in 1909 illegally crossed the Southern Carpathians into Romania, and lived in Bucharest. At the request of the Austro-Hungarian government, he was arrested and extradited in 1910. Rebreanu was incarcerated in Gyula, being freed in August; he returned to Bucharest. In 1911–1912 he was secretary for the National Theater in Craiova. During World War I Rebreanu was a reporter for Adevărul, and he continued publishing short stories. After the war, he became an important collaborator at the literary society Sburătorul led by the literary critic Eugen Lovinescu.
Structure of the book: The novel has 416 pages, divided in two parts.
Overview: The action of the novel takes place in the Romanian village of “Pripas” in Transylvania, sometime before the First World War. At that time the region was still under the rule of the Austria-Hungarian Empire. The action takes place on two plans, of the peasants and of the rural intellectuality. Characters belonging to both plans are presented at the beginning of the novel in a symbolical scene of a social event involving traditional Romanian dance.
At the center of the action is “Ion al Glanetasului” (“Ion” is the Romanian equivalent of the English name “John”), a poor single male, humiliated and mocked by the rich people of the village. His main concern is to earn the respect of the others and climb the social hierarchy, and the only way to do that is by quickly acquiring wealth. However, he realizes that he can’t escape poverty neither through work nor heritage. So, the main goal of Ion’s existence is to gain land, and he is determined to fulfill his goal by any means necessary.
The novel is split in two parts, Glasul pamantului (“The Call of the Land”) and Glasul iubirii (“The Call of Love”). These two parts are metaphors for two categories of needs of the human being. In the famous Abraham Maslow’s pyramid, the first two bottom layers of the pyramid are filled with the basic needs – food, water, property – safety needs and security of resources. On the third layer there is the need for love, sexual intimacy and friendship. So, Ion’s psyche is tormented by the struggle between these two categories of needs and he has to choose between them. On the one hand there is Florica, a poor beautiful girl who also likes him. If he takes Florica, he will remain poor for the rest of his life. On the other hand there is Ana, a wealthy ugly girl he does not love, but she is the only way through which he can quickly become rich.
Given the fact that the first part of the novel is called Glasul pamantului, Ion’s first choice is not hard to guess. After long inner struggles, he chooses to satisfy his basic needs no matter what. His choice is also favored by Ana’s father, Vasile Baciu, who humiliates Ion in public. So, in order to revenge on Vasile Baciu, he seduces Ana and she is forced to marry him after she remains pregnant, despite the anger of her father. However, marrying Ana does not fulfill his dream to become rich; Vasile Baciu does not want to give him the land as dower, but only as heritage. So, Ion spills his anger over Ana, whose life turns into a hell after marrying Ion. Ion’s decision to take Ana also marked the start of a conflict between him and George Bulbuc, another young man in the village who truly likes Ana.
The second part is Glasul iubirii - a metaphor for the superior needs – of love, sex and affection – that pressure Ion’s psyche once the basic needs have been satisfied. After he satisfied his basic needs, Ion immediately to satisfy his secondary needs. Even at his wedding with Ana, Ion realizes once again that he loves Florica. Beaten by Ion and rejected by her father, Ana finds comfort only in her child. However, the relationship with Ion and her father continues to deteriorate, and the only solution left is suicide. She hangs herself. His wife’s death has no impact on Ion, who rather sees the event as a relief. After he managed to obtain the land, for Ion Ana turned into an obstacle between him and Florica, or better said. But things get complicated after Ion’s child dies and Florica gets married with George Bulbuc. The outcome is foreseeable: because Ion seduces Florica, George kills Ion. George is arrested, Florica remains alone and Ion’s wealth is given to the church.
In the other plan of the novel, of the rural intellectuality, the rivalry between the priest and the teacher has baleful effects upon the latter. He has a family: wife, a boy who dreams to become a poet, and two girls at the age of marriage but without dowry. In addition, he built his house on the church’s land, with the approval of the priest. After the relations between them deteriorate – Ion’s actions are the reason of discord – the teacher feels threatened. On the other hand, the priest has a strong character. Widower, he dedicates his entire life to his community. His tenaciously follows his dream to build a new church in the village, and the novel ends with the consecration of the new church.
Quote: Poor John! Said Ms. Herdelea. He died so fast… Perhaps this is how it was written [in the heavens]!… [my translation].
Strong points: This is not my favorite novels of the Romanian literature; some people do like Ion or Morometii, I prefer Ultima noapte de dragoste, intaia noapte de razboi. Nevertheless, Ion is a very good novel. Easy to read, interesting plot, and a course of events that does not, let’s say, allow you to get bored. I especially like how the author manages to depict the inner, psychological, struggles, - as in other of his novels – or how he describes the thoughts and the feelings of the characters.
Weak points: Again, as in the case of other Romanian novels, I believe that the one weak point is that it was written in Romanian. And I am not a fan of novels that end tragically.
_______________
★★★ Follow us on Goodreads
★★★ Visit our website www.reasonandreligion.org
About the author: According to Wikipedia, Liviu Rebreanu was a Romanian novelist, playwright, short story writer, and journalist. He worked as an officer in Gyula but resigned in 1908, and in 1909 illegally crossed the Southern Carpathians into Romania, and lived in Bucharest. At the request of the Austro-Hungarian government, he was arrested and extradited in 1910. Rebreanu was incarcerated in Gyula, being freed in August; he returned to Bucharest. In 1911–1912 he was secretary for the National Theater in Craiova. During World War I Rebreanu was a reporter for Adevărul, and he continued publishing short stories. After the war, he became an important collaborator at the literary society Sburătorul led by the literary critic Eugen Lovinescu.
Structure of the book: The novel has 416 pages, divided in two parts.
Overview: The action of the novel takes place in the Romanian village of “Pripas” in Transylvania, sometime before the First World War. At that time the region was still under the rule of the Austria-Hungarian Empire. The action takes place on two plans, of the peasants and of the rural intellectuality. Characters belonging to both plans are presented at the beginning of the novel in a symbolical scene of a social event involving traditional Romanian dance.
At the center of the action is “Ion al Glanetasului” (“Ion” is the Romanian equivalent of the English name “John”), a poor single male, humiliated and mocked by the rich people of the village. His main concern is to earn the respect of the others and climb the social hierarchy, and the only way to do that is by quickly acquiring wealth. However, he realizes that he can’t escape poverty neither through work nor heritage. So, the main goal of Ion’s existence is to gain land, and he is determined to fulfill his goal by any means necessary.
The novel is split in two parts, Glasul pamantului (“The Call of the Land”) and Glasul iubirii (“The Call of Love”). These two parts are metaphors for two categories of needs of the human being. In the famous Abraham Maslow’s pyramid, the first two bottom layers of the pyramid are filled with the basic needs – food, water, property – safety needs and security of resources. On the third layer there is the need for love, sexual intimacy and friendship. So, Ion’s psyche is tormented by the struggle between these two categories of needs and he has to choose between them. On the one hand there is Florica, a poor beautiful girl who also likes him. If he takes Florica, he will remain poor for the rest of his life. On the other hand there is Ana, a wealthy ugly girl he does not love, but she is the only way through which he can quickly become rich.
Given the fact that the first part of the novel is called Glasul pamantului, Ion’s first choice is not hard to guess. After long inner struggles, he chooses to satisfy his basic needs no matter what. His choice is also favored by Ana’s father, Vasile Baciu, who humiliates Ion in public. So, in order to revenge on Vasile Baciu, he seduces Ana and she is forced to marry him after she remains pregnant, despite the anger of her father. However, marrying Ana does not fulfill his dream to become rich; Vasile Baciu does not want to give him the land as dower, but only as heritage. So, Ion spills his anger over Ana, whose life turns into a hell after marrying Ion. Ion’s decision to take Ana also marked the start of a conflict between him and George Bulbuc, another young man in the village who truly likes Ana.
The second part is Glasul iubirii - a metaphor for the superior needs – of love, sex and affection – that pressure Ion’s psyche once the basic needs have been satisfied. After he satisfied his basic needs, Ion immediately to satisfy his secondary needs. Even at his wedding with Ana, Ion realizes once again that he loves Florica. Beaten by Ion and rejected by her father, Ana finds comfort only in her child. However, the relationship with Ion and her father continues to deteriorate, and the only solution left is suicide. She hangs herself. His wife’s death has no impact on Ion, who rather sees the event as a relief. After he managed to obtain the land, for Ion Ana turned into an obstacle between him and Florica, or better said. But things get complicated after Ion’s child dies and Florica gets married with George Bulbuc. The outcome is foreseeable: because Ion seduces Florica, George kills Ion. George is arrested, Florica remains alone and Ion’s wealth is given to the church.
In the other plan of the novel, of the rural intellectuality, the rivalry between the priest and the teacher has baleful effects upon the latter. He has a family: wife, a boy who dreams to become a poet, and two girls at the age of marriage but without dowry. In addition, he built his house on the church’s land, with the approval of the priest. After the relations between them deteriorate – Ion’s actions are the reason of discord – the teacher feels threatened. On the other hand, the priest has a strong character. Widower, he dedicates his entire life to his community. His tenaciously follows his dream to build a new church in the village, and the novel ends with the consecration of the new church.
Quote: Poor John! Said Ms. Herdelea. He died so fast… Perhaps this is how it was written [in the heavens]!… [my translation].
Strong points: This is not my favorite novels of the Romanian literature; some people do like Ion or Morometii, I prefer Ultima noapte de dragoste, intaia noapte de razboi. Nevertheless, Ion is a very good novel. Easy to read, interesting plot, and a course of events that does not, let’s say, allow you to get bored. I especially like how the author manages to depict the inner, psychological, struggles, - as in other of his novels – or how he describes the thoughts and the feelings of the characters.
Weak points: Again, as in the case of other Romanian novels, I believe that the one weak point is that it was written in Romanian. And I am not a fan of novels that end tragically.
_______________
★★★ Follow us on Goodreads
★★★ Visit our website www.reasonandreligion.org
November 14, 2016
Target audience: Common people, anyone interested in historical fiction, psychological novels and the period of the World War I and the land of Transylvania.
About the author: According to Wikipedia, Liviu Rebreanu was a Romanian novelist, playwright, short story writer, and journalist. He worked as an officer in Gyula but resigned in 1908, and in 1909 illegally crossed the Southern Carpathians into Romania, and lived in Bucharest. At the request of the Austro-Hungarian government, he was arrested and extradited in 1910. Rebreanu was incarcerated in Gyula, being freed in August; he returned to Bucharest. In 1911–1912 he was secretary for the National Theater in Craiova. During World War I Rebreanu was a reporter for Adevărul, and he continued publishing short stories. After the war, he became an important collaborator at the literary society Sburătorul led by the literary critic Eugen Lovinescu.
Structure of the book: The novel has 416 pages, divided in two parts.
Overview: The action of the novel takes place in the Romanian village of “Pripas” in Transylvania, sometime before the First World War. At that time the region was still under the rule of the Austria-Hungarian Empire. The action takes place on two plans, of the peasants and of the rural intellectuality. Characters belonging to both plans are presented at the beginning of the novel in a symbolical scene of a social event involving traditional Romanian dance.
At the center of the action is “Ion al Glanetasului” (“Ion” is the Romanian equivalent of the English name “John”), a poor single male, humiliated and mocked by the rich people of the village. His main concern is to earn the respect of the others and climb the social hierarchy, and the only way to do that is by quickly acquiring wealth. However, he realizes that he can’t escape poverty neither through work nor heritage. So, the main goal of Ion’s existence is to gain land, and he is determined to fulfill his goal by any means necessary.
The novel is split in two parts, Glasul pamantului (“The Call of the Land”) and Glasul iubirii (“The Call of Love”). These two parts are metaphors for two categories of needs of the human being. In the famous Abraham Maslow’s pyramid, the first two bottom layers of the pyramid are filled with the basic needs – food, water, property – safety needs and security of resources. On the third layer there is the need for love, sexual intimacy and friendship. So, Ion’s psyche is tormented by the struggle between these two categories of needs and he has to choose between them. On the one hand there is Florica, a poor beautiful girl who also likes him. If he takes Florica, he will remain poor for the rest of his life. On the other hand there is Ana, a wealthy ugly girl he does not love, but she is the only way through which he can quickly become rich.
Given the fact that the first part of the novel is called Glasul pamantului, Ion’s first choice is not hard to guess. After long inner struggles, he chooses to satisfy his basic needs no matter what. His choice is also favored by Ana’s father, Vasile Baciu, who humiliates Ion in public. So, in order to revenge on Vasile Baciu, he seduces Ana and she is forced to marry him after she remains pregnant, despite the anger of her father. However, marrying Ana does not fulfill his dream to become rich; Vasile Baciu does not want to give him the land as dower, but only as heritage. So, Ion spills his anger over Ana, whose life turns into a hell after marrying Ion. Ion’s decision to take Ana also marked the start of a conflict between him and George Bulbuc, another young man in the village who truly likes Ana.
The second part is Glasul iubirii - a metaphor for the superior needs – of love, sex and affection – that pressure Ion’s psyche once the basic needs have been satisfied. After he satisfied his basic needs, Ion immediately to satisfy his secondary needs. Even at his wedding with Ana, Ion realizes once again that he loves Florica. Beaten by Ion and rejected by her father, Ana finds comfort only in her child. However, the relationship with Ion and her father continues to deteriorate, and the only solution left is suicide. She hangs herself. His wife’s death has no impact on Ion, who rather sees the event as a relief. After he managed to obtain the land, for Ion Ana turned into an obstacle between him and Florica, or better said. But things get complicated after Ion’s child dies and Florica gets married with George Bulbuc. The outcome is foreseeable: because Ion seduces Florica, George kills Ion. George is arrested, Florica remains alone and Ion’s wealth is given to the church.
In the other plan of the novel, of the rural intellectuality, the rivalry between the priest and the teacher has baleful effects upon the latter. He has a family: wife, a boy who dreams to become a poet, and two girls at the age of marriage but without dowry. In addition, he built his house on the church’s land, with the approval of the priest. After the relations between them deteriorate – Ion’s actions are the reason of discord – the teacher feels threatened. On the other hand, the priest has a strong character. Widower, he dedicates his entire life to his community. His tenaciously follows his dream to build a new church in the village, and the novel ends with the consecration of the new church.
Quote: Poor John! Said Ms. Herdelea. He died so fast… Perhaps this is how it was written [in the heavens]!… [my translation].
Strong points: This is not my favorite novels of the Romanian literature; some people do like Ion or Morometii, I prefer Ultima noapte de dragoste, intaia noapte de razboi. Nevertheless, Ion is a very good novel. Easy to read, interesting plot, and a course of events that does not, let’s say, allow you to get bored. I especially like how the author manages to depict the inner, psychological, struggles, - as in other of his novels – or how he describes the thoughts and the feelings of the characters.
Weak points: Again, as in the case of other Romanian novels, I believe that the one weak point is that it was written in Romanian. And I am not a fan of novels that end tragically.
_______________
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About the author: According to Wikipedia, Liviu Rebreanu was a Romanian novelist, playwright, short story writer, and journalist. He worked as an officer in Gyula but resigned in 1908, and in 1909 illegally crossed the Southern Carpathians into Romania, and lived in Bucharest. At the request of the Austro-Hungarian government, he was arrested and extradited in 1910. Rebreanu was incarcerated in Gyula, being freed in August; he returned to Bucharest. In 1911–1912 he was secretary for the National Theater in Craiova. During World War I Rebreanu was a reporter for Adevărul, and he continued publishing short stories. After the war, he became an important collaborator at the literary society Sburătorul led by the literary critic Eugen Lovinescu.
Structure of the book: The novel has 416 pages, divided in two parts.
Overview: The action of the novel takes place in the Romanian village of “Pripas” in Transylvania, sometime before the First World War. At that time the region was still under the rule of the Austria-Hungarian Empire. The action takes place on two plans, of the peasants and of the rural intellectuality. Characters belonging to both plans are presented at the beginning of the novel in a symbolical scene of a social event involving traditional Romanian dance.
At the center of the action is “Ion al Glanetasului” (“Ion” is the Romanian equivalent of the English name “John”), a poor single male, humiliated and mocked by the rich people of the village. His main concern is to earn the respect of the others and climb the social hierarchy, and the only way to do that is by quickly acquiring wealth. However, he realizes that he can’t escape poverty neither through work nor heritage. So, the main goal of Ion’s existence is to gain land, and he is determined to fulfill his goal by any means necessary.
The novel is split in two parts, Glasul pamantului (“The Call of the Land”) and Glasul iubirii (“The Call of Love”). These two parts are metaphors for two categories of needs of the human being. In the famous Abraham Maslow’s pyramid, the first two bottom layers of the pyramid are filled with the basic needs – food, water, property – safety needs and security of resources. On the third layer there is the need for love, sexual intimacy and friendship. So, Ion’s psyche is tormented by the struggle between these two categories of needs and he has to choose between them. On the one hand there is Florica, a poor beautiful girl who also likes him. If he takes Florica, he will remain poor for the rest of his life. On the other hand there is Ana, a wealthy ugly girl he does not love, but she is the only way through which he can quickly become rich.
Given the fact that the first part of the novel is called Glasul pamantului, Ion’s first choice is not hard to guess. After long inner struggles, he chooses to satisfy his basic needs no matter what. His choice is also favored by Ana’s father, Vasile Baciu, who humiliates Ion in public. So, in order to revenge on Vasile Baciu, he seduces Ana and she is forced to marry him after she remains pregnant, despite the anger of her father. However, marrying Ana does not fulfill his dream to become rich; Vasile Baciu does not want to give him the land as dower, but only as heritage. So, Ion spills his anger over Ana, whose life turns into a hell after marrying Ion. Ion’s decision to take Ana also marked the start of a conflict between him and George Bulbuc, another young man in the village who truly likes Ana.
The second part is Glasul iubirii - a metaphor for the superior needs – of love, sex and affection – that pressure Ion’s psyche once the basic needs have been satisfied. After he satisfied his basic needs, Ion immediately to satisfy his secondary needs. Even at his wedding with Ana, Ion realizes once again that he loves Florica. Beaten by Ion and rejected by her father, Ana finds comfort only in her child. However, the relationship with Ion and her father continues to deteriorate, and the only solution left is suicide. She hangs herself. His wife’s death has no impact on Ion, who rather sees the event as a relief. After he managed to obtain the land, for Ion Ana turned into an obstacle between him and Florica, or better said. But things get complicated after Ion’s child dies and Florica gets married with George Bulbuc. The outcome is foreseeable: because Ion seduces Florica, George kills Ion. George is arrested, Florica remains alone and Ion’s wealth is given to the church.
In the other plan of the novel, of the rural intellectuality, the rivalry between the priest and the teacher has baleful effects upon the latter. He has a family: wife, a boy who dreams to become a poet, and two girls at the age of marriage but without dowry. In addition, he built his house on the church’s land, with the approval of the priest. After the relations between them deteriorate – Ion’s actions are the reason of discord – the teacher feels threatened. On the other hand, the priest has a strong character. Widower, he dedicates his entire life to his community. His tenaciously follows his dream to build a new church in the village, and the novel ends with the consecration of the new church.
Quote: Poor John! Said Ms. Herdelea. He died so fast… Perhaps this is how it was written [in the heavens]!… [my translation].
Strong points: This is not my favorite novels of the Romanian literature; some people do like Ion or Morometii, I prefer Ultima noapte de dragoste, intaia noapte de razboi. Nevertheless, Ion is a very good novel. Easy to read, interesting plot, and a course of events that does not, let’s say, allow you to get bored. I especially like how the author manages to depict the inner, psychological, struggles, - as in other of his novels – or how he describes the thoughts and the feelings of the characters.
Weak points: Again, as in the case of other Romanian novels, I believe that the one weak point is that it was written in Romanian. And I am not a fan of novels that end tragically.
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November 19, 2024
Captivant,descrie viața țăranului român la începutul sec 20 și toxicitatea mentalității oamenilor din acea vreme. Dorința de îmbogățire prin pământ,jocuri de putere.
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