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The Baroness's Heart
The Baroness's Heart is based on the more or less true life story of the author's grandparents.
The barons, people with material wealth, but with impoverished soul by the baroness being unable to have children, adopt Safta.
Throughout the story, Safta grow-up and transforms from the poor girl who dreamed of the city lights and tumultuous urban life a young lady living the dream. Destiny makes her fall in love with Peter, give up the life offered by her adoptive parents and follow a man until the end of her life.
You live differently the way war affects people and become a part of a love story. There is war, social structures that disappear and there are people who lived in those times.
Of these people, some have followed their dreams by building a life just as they wanted it, ignoring history.
The barons, people with material wealth, but with impoverished soul by the baroness being unable to have children, adopt Safta.
Throughout the story, Safta grow-up and transforms from the poor girl who dreamed of the city lights and tumultuous urban life a young lady living the dream. Destiny makes her fall in love with Peter, give up the life offered by her adoptive parents and follow a man until the end of her life.
You live differently the way war affects people and become a part of a love story. There is war, social structures that disappear and there are people who lived in those times.
Of these people, some have followed their dreams by building a life just as they wanted it, ignoring history.
27 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 14, 2013
3 people are currently reading
7 people want to read
About the author
Emanuel Grigoras
5 books36 followersEmanuel Grigoras is a project manager and writer living in Toronto. He is the founder of Asengana - Writing Software and Project Management Tools for writers.
He is obsessed with quality and efficiency in getting things done, writing included, and dreams of a world where professional self-publishing writers, editors, and readers will create a healthy ecosystem.
Emanuel published his first book in Romanian, Locul Potrivit (The Right Place) in 2010 and started writing science fiction short stories as well as contemporary and historic fiction. His stories were published by Romanian publications: CPSF – The Science-Fiction Short Stories Collection ANTICIPATIA, Gazeta SF, Nautilus.
In 2015 he moved to Toronto and continues to write and self-publish in English and Romanian. He also supports other self-published writers, as a Digital Project Manager, and helps build their online personal brands through custom websites and social media activities.
He is obsessed with quality and efficiency in getting things done, writing included, and dreams of a world where professional self-publishing writers, editors, and readers will create a healthy ecosystem.
Emanuel published his first book in Romanian, Locul Potrivit (The Right Place) in 2010 and started writing science fiction short stories as well as contemporary and historic fiction. His stories were published by Romanian publications: CPSF – The Science-Fiction Short Stories Collection ANTICIPATIA, Gazeta SF, Nautilus.
In 2015 he moved to Toronto and continues to write and self-publish in English and Romanian. He also supports other self-published writers, as a Digital Project Manager, and helps build their online personal brands through custom websites and social media activities.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
February 25, 2014
First and foremost, I loved this. Totally didn't expect that to happen, but it did. I'm not usually a fan of historical pieces (and by historical I mean pre-1980s), but this was completely charming.
In 27 pages the author manages to cross over into a few different genres while keeping everything in line with the general 'feel' of the book, as well as crossing generations and characters while also taking into consideration the war.
Every sentence seems to flow so easily onto the next in a way that ensures you'll finish the book in one sitting, and yet, while i could happily read a three hundred word book by Grigoras and still be hungry for more, the story (almost surprisingly) doesn't feel rushed.
Having said this, there's plenty of scope for elaboration, both in the lives of people involved as well as the historical background that runs alongside the characters' journeys.
Grigoras uses simple descriptive language that really helps take the author back to a time that they perhaps hadn't experienced, and myself as a nineteen year old student, I loved the way he managed to accomplish so much in such a short piece.
In 27 pages the author manages to cross over into a few different genres while keeping everything in line with the general 'feel' of the book, as well as crossing generations and characters while also taking into consideration the war.
Every sentence seems to flow so easily onto the next in a way that ensures you'll finish the book in one sitting, and yet, while i could happily read a three hundred word book by Grigoras and still be hungry for more, the story (almost surprisingly) doesn't feel rushed.
Having said this, there's plenty of scope for elaboration, both in the lives of people involved as well as the historical background that runs alongside the characters' journeys.
Grigoras uses simple descriptive language that really helps take the author back to a time that they perhaps hadn't experienced, and myself as a nineteen year old student, I loved the way he managed to accomplish so much in such a short piece.
February 6, 2014
I got hooked by the title. It’s a beautiful title: The Baroness’s Heart. It was a short story and I said to give it a try. I expected a story about the love a baroness have for some nobleman. It was so much more.
The story is very intense and the author has the talent of transmitting the intense feelings of the characters simply by their actions. The sentiments described are raw and pure. It’s not an easy read.
I had to spend hours later and search information about Romania, the war and about Bucharest, The Little Paris. It is amazing how much history is comprised by this small country in Europe. I would have loved to know more about the history of that period from the book, but I think that adding more it would have ruined the story. Looking back at the text, I think that any extra sentences describing events of those times it would have been irritating. IT wasn't meant to be a period piece, it is a love story set in a very specific (idyllic even) time and place. There is a certain romance about it, very appealing.
This is a well written story by a young author. I’m curious what he'll be writing about next.
The story is very intense and the author has the talent of transmitting the intense feelings of the characters simply by their actions. The sentiments described are raw and pure. It’s not an easy read.
I had to spend hours later and search information about Romania, the war and about Bucharest, The Little Paris. It is amazing how much history is comprised by this small country in Europe. I would have loved to know more about the history of that period from the book, but I think that adding more it would have ruined the story. Looking back at the text, I think that any extra sentences describing events of those times it would have been irritating. IT wasn't meant to be a period piece, it is a love story set in a very specific (idyllic even) time and place. There is a certain romance about it, very appealing.
This is a well written story by a young author. I’m curious what he'll be writing about next.
August 10, 2016
'The Baroness's Heart' is a short story whose pace is quite lively, and it almost reads like a fairy tale or a legend.
The story begins in Romania prior to World War II. The Baron and his wife grow apart because they cannot have children. The Baroness adopts Safta, a girl that she found crying at the roadside. Flash, the Baron’s horse is stolen by Petre, who resolves to come back for the Baroness’s heart. A few years later, Petre returns to find work at the Baron’s estate and becomes his servant. His feelings for Safta, who is dubbed the Baroness’s heart by her husband, reawaken, and the remainder of the story is centred around how Safta and Petre followed their dream to be together and how this decision influenced their lives.
Evident is the author’s passion for language. Poetic, vivid vocabulary helps imagine the places mentioned easily despite little description. This story is fast-paced and nicely written; however, as with every piece of writing it should have been proofread professionally.
I very much enjoyed this little piece and the pictures it painted in front of me, although I believe it could have been better with some more editing, either professional or by the author himself. For example, there is a lot of telling the reader what the characters did out of habit, how they normally spent their time etc, and very little of actually showing them in action.
Also, Safta seems to be a quick fix for her new parents, immediately bringing them closer. There is no struggle, no conflict in the wake of her adoption, which is just too easy. Similarly, Safta and Petre fall in love at once, and their elopement is a hasty decision. Last but not least, we know very little about the characters, through interaction or otherwise, but it is a short story, otherwise sweet and heart-warming, so I might be nitpicking. A good aspect of this limited characterization approach is that it enables the reader to cast anybody as Safta, Petre, and the remaining persons.
For the above reasons, I think this story would benefit from expanding it into a longer piece of writing. Having said that, I must admit it was a pleasant read.
The story begins in Romania prior to World War II. The Baron and his wife grow apart because they cannot have children. The Baroness adopts Safta, a girl that she found crying at the roadside. Flash, the Baron’s horse is stolen by Petre, who resolves to come back for the Baroness’s heart. A few years later, Petre returns to find work at the Baron’s estate and becomes his servant. His feelings for Safta, who is dubbed the Baroness’s heart by her husband, reawaken, and the remainder of the story is centred around how Safta and Petre followed their dream to be together and how this decision influenced their lives.
Evident is the author’s passion for language. Poetic, vivid vocabulary helps imagine the places mentioned easily despite little description. This story is fast-paced and nicely written; however, as with every piece of writing it should have been proofread professionally.
I very much enjoyed this little piece and the pictures it painted in front of me, although I believe it could have been better with some more editing, either professional or by the author himself. For example, there is a lot of telling the reader what the characters did out of habit, how they normally spent their time etc, and very little of actually showing them in action.
Also, Safta seems to be a quick fix for her new parents, immediately bringing them closer. There is no struggle, no conflict in the wake of her adoption, which is just too easy. Similarly, Safta and Petre fall in love at once, and their elopement is a hasty decision. Last but not least, we know very little about the characters, through interaction or otherwise, but it is a short story, otherwise sweet and heart-warming, so I might be nitpicking. A good aspect of this limited characterization approach is that it enables the reader to cast anybody as Safta, Petre, and the remaining persons.
For the above reasons, I think this story would benefit from expanding it into a longer piece of writing. Having said that, I must admit it was a pleasant read.
January 12, 2014
Although this is a short, 27 pages long story, it is ambitious in its breadth, as it spans a few generations and makes reference to significant historical events.
It reads like a tale told by a gifted storyteller.
The narrative centers on Peter, whose trade (among others) is in horse stealing. We learn that Peter steals a horse from a couple generically named “baron” and “baroness”, and then, in a second act, he steals “the baroness’s heart”, i.e., her beautiful daughter Safta. Although these are morally-objectionably events, they are treated (somewhat simplistically) as a given in this story. My two cents is that a lot of complexity and character could have been added if the author addressed the obvious moral dilemmas triggered by such events. By the same token, monumental historical events during the Second World War are mentioned along the main narrative but treated as footnotes to the story, which again distorts somewhat the balance of things.
That being said, the smooth flow of the text and the simple story line are satisfying in themselves in this story. My impression is that a longer piece might do justice to the events presented here and it would allow the reader a better grasp of times long gone.
It reads like a tale told by a gifted storyteller.
The narrative centers on Peter, whose trade (among others) is in horse stealing. We learn that Peter steals a horse from a couple generically named “baron” and “baroness”, and then, in a second act, he steals “the baroness’s heart”, i.e., her beautiful daughter Safta. Although these are morally-objectionably events, they are treated (somewhat simplistically) as a given in this story. My two cents is that a lot of complexity and character could have been added if the author addressed the obvious moral dilemmas triggered by such events. By the same token, monumental historical events during the Second World War are mentioned along the main narrative but treated as footnotes to the story, which again distorts somewhat the balance of things.
That being said, the smooth flow of the text and the simple story line are satisfying in themselves in this story. My impression is that a longer piece might do justice to the events presented here and it would allow the reader a better grasp of times long gone.
February 6, 2014
Get a mug of hot chocolate, sit in your favorite chair and get under your favorite blanket. Now you’re a ready for the trip of your lifetime. A story about desire and love, about how one leads to the other. About following your heart in times of social inequality and war. About broken hearts that get healed with love.
I know that this is just a review, but I just finished reading The Baroness’s Heart and I feel inspired. I escaped for an evening from the realities of this life and traveled to a time when people lived without the pressure of having to think and rethink every step they make. I wish I had the strength to follow my heart in my life a bit more like the characters in this little gem of a book, and maybe this story gave some of that courage back.
Peter and Safta are two young people that fall in love at first sight. They come from similar backgrounds, only that the girl is now adopted by a rich family, the land barons. They run away together leaving behind a family that suffers after they lose their only daughter. In the end, both couples find their equilibrium in different ways.
I wish it would have been longer, a lot longer...
I know that this is just a review, but I just finished reading The Baroness’s Heart and I feel inspired. I escaped for an evening from the realities of this life and traveled to a time when people lived without the pressure of having to think and rethink every step they make. I wish I had the strength to follow my heart in my life a bit more like the characters in this little gem of a book, and maybe this story gave some of that courage back.
Peter and Safta are two young people that fall in love at first sight. They come from similar backgrounds, only that the girl is now adopted by a rich family, the land barons. They run away together leaving behind a family that suffers after they lose their only daughter. In the end, both couples find their equilibrium in different ways.
I wish it would have been longer, a lot longer...
February 6, 2014
I have mixed feelings about this book. It is very intense story. You get pulled into the characters' motion through time and space and you feel the urge to follow them anywhere.
What scares me is the absence of moral values, or immoral values as a matter of fact. Petre and Safta, the main characters, act as driven by an inner drive of going places or doing things without any need to justify their actions to anybody. Not even to themselves.
It’s just a short novel but it has two stories in it. Two stories of two generations. The closest comparison is between a big cup of american coffee topped with an italian espresso, at the end, for effect. And it works!
I was debating about if I liked it, while I was thinking about the book for days after reading it (lol). Conclusion: the book stays with you. And for it being such a short book, it definitely does a number on you. Read it, and you'll get what I mean. Definitely, a must read.
What scares me is the absence of moral values, or immoral values as a matter of fact. Petre and Safta, the main characters, act as driven by an inner drive of going places or doing things without any need to justify their actions to anybody. Not even to themselves.
It’s just a short novel but it has two stories in it. Two stories of two generations. The closest comparison is between a big cup of american coffee topped with an italian espresso, at the end, for effect. And it works!
I was debating about if I liked it, while I was thinking about the book for days after reading it (lol). Conclusion: the book stays with you. And for it being such a short book, it definitely does a number on you. Read it, and you'll get what I mean. Definitely, a must read.
February 6, 2014
This was a very interesting story about human nature, fate and decisions people make during their lives. The story flows naturally not without a certain amount of mystery.
It ends with a sort of “and they lived happily ever after” . I am saying "a sort of" because the last pages are a story in itself.
Also that hint about this story being the story of the author’s grandparents left me curious to know what’s next.
This short novel seems to be just the first part in a longer story. The next one continues the story with the next generations. Looking forward to read this one too as soon as it gets translated.
It ends with a sort of “and they lived happily ever after” . I am saying "a sort of" because the last pages are a story in itself.
Also that hint about this story being the story of the author’s grandparents left me curious to know what’s next.
This short novel seems to be just the first part in a longer story. The next one continues the story with the next generations. Looking forward to read this one too as soon as it gets translated.
February 8, 2014
Grigoras writes about his grandparents in this story of sacrifice and love.
Written after hearing of his grandparents life together, Grigoras shares how they met and about their life together. This is a short story, with pictures of the couple flanking the front and back of the book. The writing is somewhat poetic, and the writer does a good job at that, but I think it could have been much more poignant to write it in less of a cryptic manner. However, finding out that it is true did make this a better story for me.
I'd recommend it.
Written after hearing of his grandparents life together, Grigoras shares how they met and about their life together. This is a short story, with pictures of the couple flanking the front and back of the book. The writing is somewhat poetic, and the writer does a good job at that, but I think it could have been much more poignant to write it in less of a cryptic manner. However, finding out that it is true did make this a better story for me.
I'd recommend it.
June 11, 2022
This is a wonderful story. With a pace that quickly takes you through a lifetime without even knowing it you read about life, love and family. Worth every minute.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews