Lenin's Asylum

by A.A. Weiss

A. A. Weiss takes us to Moldova, a country many of us will never visit, and in the process, shows us the simple joys and love that can be found in a place where life is neither simple nor easy. This is a generous, sometimes funny—and always loving—memoir of Peace Corps life that asks hard questions about the utility of volunteerism—and answers them with the beauty of the bonds formed between strangers across cultures.

Genres: Nonfiction

296 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 13, 2018

About the author

A. A. Weiss is the author of the LUKE LUNDY thriller series (The Agency Books) and the travel memoir LENIN'S ASYLUM (Everytime Press). He lives with his family outside Washington, D.C.

Reviews

[Diane Poythress · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the author’s writing style; he’s a very good story-teller, communicating a vivid and captivating picture of life in a small Moldovan town with a native family. As the narrator and main character, he is an immensely likable character who notices subtle details of everyday life and lives, and manages to depict those subtleties and details in a surprising economy of warm, witty, and altogether believable words. He has made all his characters live and breathe; I could see and hear them. His occasional understatement is delightful. There were aspects of Moldovan life that are inescapably depressing, though Weiss, while being frank, does not write about it in a depressing manner. In fact, his cheerful and funny descriptions of some of the most appalling situations were some of the most enjoyable parts of the book. I learned a lot about honest to goodness native life in Moldova. I gave it four stars instead of five for vague reasons of how the book made me feel. It left me with a twinge of sadness and emptiness for reasons I won’t divulge for spoilers’ sake. There’s nothing tragic, so no need to brace yourself for that. In quality of writing I would give it five stars. ⭐️

Caution advisable for several adult topics: smoking, drinking, swearing, sex, prostitution and human trafficking.

[Andrew Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I felt like I was in Moldova living through his experience. A.A.’s writing kept me engaged and his matter of fact descriptions of the sadness and poverty in Moldova were honest without judgement. His stories were so absurd that they must be true. And yet, for him it was just life. Great memoir!

[Dustin Duke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captivating glimpse of a Peace Corps volunteer's two years in Moldova

Quick read. Well written. A nice sketch of a Peace Corps volunteer's life in a small Moldovan town. Weiss brings people, places and events to life through his writing.

[Catherine Pursell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could really picture Riscani and it’s people through A.A. Weiss’s descriptions. He has a warm and witty style; he is honest but does not judge. Particularly heartwarming are his interactions with his students as he struggles for their focus and trust. A wonderful memoir about a life changing time in this young man’s life.