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Sword
As a shadowy killer stalks the streets of Bucharest, seeking out victims from among the Roma minority, the police are at a loss to track down the murderer, who always dispatches in the same manner – hence the Sword nickname the media are quick to give to the killer. As panic starts to take hold and inter-racial tensions begin to reach boiling point, those in government and those who want to be try manipulate the situation for their own ends.
A bestseller in Romania and France, Sword is a tumultuous political thriller by journalist and political analyst Bogdan Teodorescu – echoing much of the fears and tensions of today's political landscape.
A bestseller in Romania and France, Sword is a tumultuous political thriller by journalist and political analyst Bogdan Teodorescu – echoing much of the fears and tensions of today's political landscape.
272 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 2009
7 people are currently reading
107 people want to read
About the author
Bogdan Teodorescu
16 books32 followersA fost membru al cenaclului Universitas precum și redactor-șef al revistei Tinerama.
Din 2004 este membru al Uniunii Scriitorilor din România.
Din 2004 este membru al Uniunii Scriitorilor din România.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
March 17, 2020
Ένα μυθιστόρημα κυρίως πολιτικό και λιγότερο αστυνομικό,σε κάθε περίπτωση όμως,αρκετά νουάρ για να συγκαταλέγεται στο είδος.
Η ιστορία εξελίσσεται στη Ρουμανία όπου ένας δολοφόνος,το Στιλέτο,σκοτώνει Ρομά κακοποιούς.
Με υπόβαθρο μια διαβρωμένη πολιτική σκηνή,ένα μιντιακό σύστημα διαπλεκόμενο και μια μειονότητα υποχείριο στα χέρια και των δυο εξουσιών,ο ρατσισμός,η εκμετάλλευση και το πάτημα επί πτωμάτων φέρνει στο μυαλό πρακτικές και καταστάσεις αρκετά γνώριμες.
Παρόλο όμως το ενδιαφέρον θέμα,η παρουσίασή του δεν με "τράβηξε".Σε κάποια σημεία μου έδινε την εντύπωση ότι απλά παρατίθενται διάλογοι,χωρίς να δίνονται ουσιαστικά στοιχεία για την εξέλιξη,κάτι που στέρησε αρκετά την δράση και την ένταση.
3⭐
Η ιστορία εξελίσσεται στη Ρουμανία όπου ένας δολοφόνος,το Στιλέτο,σκοτώνει Ρομά κακοποιούς.
Με υπόβαθρο μια διαβρωμένη πολιτική σκηνή,ένα μιντιακό σύστημα διαπλεκόμενο και μια μειονότητα υποχείριο στα χέρια και των δυο εξουσιών,ο ρατσισμός,η εκμετάλλευση και το πάτημα επί πτωμάτων φέρνει στο μυαλό πρακτικές και καταστάσεις αρκετά γνώριμες.
Παρόλο όμως το ενδιαφέρον θέμα,η παρουσίασή του δεν με "τράβηξε".Σε κάποια σημεία μου έδινε την εντύπωση ότι απλά παρατίθενται διάλογοι,χωρίς να δίνονται ουσιαστικά στοιχεία για την εξέλιξη,κάτι που στέρησε αρκετά την δράση και την ένταση.
3⭐
May 27, 2023
Interesanta modalitatea de a expune naratiunea - a dat foarte multa credibilitate unui astfel de scenariu sensibil.
"[...] Finalul acestui caz ne arata cat de fragila este de fapt democratia romaneasca si cat de usor poate fi ea dezechilibrata."
"[...] Finalul acestui caz ne arata cat de fragila este de fapt democratia romaneasca si cat de usor poate fi ea dezechilibrata."
September 4, 2019
Ρουμανία όπως Ελλάδα
Με την ευκαιρία ενός ταξιδιού στο Βουκουρέστι, η ανάγνωση ενός ρουμάνικου μυθιστορήματος φάνταζε ιδανική. Τον ρόλο αυτό πήρε Το Στιλέτο του Bogdan Teodorescu το οποίο κυκλοφόρησε αρχικά το 2009 στη Ρουμανία και τον Νοέμβριο του 2018 από τις εκδόσεις Πόλις στην Ελλάδα, σε μετάφραση του Μιχάλη Μητσού, με την έκδοση αυτή να αποτελεί και το μόνο του βιβλίο στα ελληνικά μέχρι σήμερα.
Η ιστορία λαμβάνει χώρα στη ρουμανική πρωτεύουσα όπου συμβαίνουν πολλές και συνεχόμενες δολοφονίες μελών της πολυπληθούς κοινότητας των Ρομά, οι οποίοι είχαν ποινικό παρελθόν. Οι δολοφονίες πραγματοποιούνται όλες από ένα άτομο και με τον ίδιο τρόπο πάντα, από όπου παίρνει και το όνομά του ο δολοφόνος ως Στιλέτο. Πέρα από τον δολοφόνο, ο οποίος στην ουσία δεν αποκτά φυσική υπόσταση, δεν υπάρχει κάποιος συγκεκριμένος πρωταγωνιστής και η ιστορία είναι δομημένη με διαλόγους μεταξύ, ως επί το πλείστον, των πολιτικών και δημοσιογραφικών προσωπικοτήτων της Ρουμανίας, σχολιάζοντας τα καθέκαστα της υπόθεσης αλλά και όσα συμβαίνουν στην ρουμανική επικράτεια λόγω αυτού. Όπως γίνεται εύκολα αντιληπτό αυξάνονται σχεδόν αμέσως οι ήδη υπάρχουσες φυλετικές συγκρούσεις μεταξύ των Ρουμάνων και των Ρομά, οι οποίοι αποτελούν κάτι παραπάνω από το 3% του πληθυσμού της χώρας, αν και υπάρχουν πολλοί περισσότεροι πολίτες που η καταγωγή τους βρίσκεται σε αυτή τη φυλή.
Από τη μια έχουμε τους Ρουμάνους οι οποίοι βρίσκουν τον εύκολο στόχο ως προς τις κακές οικονομικές συνθήκες που ζουν, ο οποίος δεν είναι άλλος από τους Ρομά (γκούχου γκούχου), και ως κοινωνία επικροτούν τις δράσεις του Στιλέτου. Από την άλλη οι Ρόμα μετά τις συνεχείς δολοφονίες που έχουν σαφή φυλετικό προσανατολισμό αρχίζουν να εξεγείρονται με τις συγκρούσεις μεταξύ των να είναι αναπόφευκτες. Την ίδια ώρα αυξάνεται η δύναμη του ακροδεξιού κόμματος (γκούχου γκούχου) της Ρουμανίας που χρησιμοποιεί μια πολύ οικεία ρητορική για τα ελληνικά δεδομένα, όπως παραδείγματος χάριν “αυτά τα χέρια είναι καθαρά“, “οι Ρουμάνοι να πάρουν πίσω την χώρα τους“, “αν δεν συμπεριφέρονται σωστά οι τσιγγάνοι, θα έχουν την κατάληξη που τους αξίζει” και λοιπές ομορφιές.
Λογοτεχνικά μιλώντας, το κείμενο δεν είναι τόσο δυνατό όσο ίσως θα όφειλε, και είναι γεγονός πως σε αρκετά σημεία πραγματοποιούνται κοιλιές ή επαναλήψεις. Από την άλλη όμως, ο Bogdan Teodorescu παρουσιάζει μέσα από ένα πολιτικό θρίλερ, την ρουμανική κοινωνία, κυρίως εντός αλλά και εκτός Βουκουρεστίου, καθώς και τις κοινωνικές και φυλετικές διαφορές που είναι πολύ βολικό να συντηρούνται. Σε αυτό το σημείο, τονίζεται η δύναμη της περιγραφής των γεγονότων από πολιτικούς και δημοσιογράφους, καθώς παρουσιάζονται με πολύ ρεαλιστικό τρόπο οι διάφορες συναντήσεις των προσωπικοτήτων αυτών, και τα συμφέροντά τους που μεταβάλλονται συνεχώς, παραμένοντας όμως πάντα συμφέροντα εις βάρος των χαμηλών τάξεων και των περιθωριακών κοινοτήτων. Αυτός ο τρόπος γραφής από τη μία αφαιρεί πολλές φορές την συναισθηματική ένταση ακόμα και σε αρκετά δυνατές σκηνές, αλλά από την άλλη δίνει μια πιο κυνική περιγραφή όλων αυτών των γεγονότων μέσα από τα μάτια εκείνων που οι φυλετικές συγκρούσεις επηρεάζουν μόνο την ατζέντα τους.
Είναι εντυπωσιακό το πόσα κοινά μπορεί να βρει κανείς καθ’ όλη τη διάρκεια του βιβλίου όσον αφορά την αύξηση του ρατσισμού και της ακροδεξιάς, μεταξύ της Ρουμανίας και της Ελλάδας, το οποίο ταυτόχρονα βάζει σε σκέψεις για το τι ισχύει και σε άλλες χώρες με χαμηλό οικονομικό επίπεδο. Η ρητορική που χρησιμοποιείται από το ακροδεξιό κόμμα της Ρουμανίας, όπως περιγράφεται από τον Bogdan Teodorescu, είναι όμοια με αυτή του αντίστοιχου ακροδεξιού κόμματος της Ελλάδας, αλλά και άλλων χωρών. Από μόνο του αυτό το γεγονός είναι ικανό -ή θα έπρεπε να είναι- ώστε να προβληματίσει ως προς τα συμφέροντα όσων συντηρούν και εκμεταλλεύονται της φυλετικές και ταξικές διαφορές.
Εν κατακλείδι, ο Bogdan Teodorescu, παραθέτει ένα πολιτικό μυθιστόρημα μυστηρίου, το οποίο διαφέρει αρκετά συγγραφικά από τη συνηθισμένη γραφή αυτού του είδους. Η βαρύτητα του έργου βρίσκεται όπως είναι αναμενόμενο, στο πώς το εκάστοτε πολιτικό σύστημα προσπαθεί να εκμεταλλευτεί τόσο τις φυλετικές όσο και τις κοινωνικές διαφορές προς όφελός του. Το γεγονός αυτό κάνει Το Στιλέτο ένα πολύ ενδιαφέρον βιβλίο, μέσα από το οποίο μπορούν να παραλληλιστούν πολλές αντίστοιχες καταστάσεις που συμβαίνουν και σε άλλα κράτη, με πρώτο και καλύτερο την Ελλάδα του σήμερα.
Για το Smassing Culture.
Με την ευκαιρία ενός ταξιδιού στο Βουκουρέστι, η ανάγνωση ενός ρουμάνικου μυθιστορήματος φάνταζε ιδανική. Τον ρόλο αυτό πήρε Το Στιλέτο του Bogdan Teodorescu το οποίο κυκλοφόρησε αρχικά το 2009 στη Ρουμανία και τον Νοέμβριο του 2018 από τις εκδόσεις Πόλις στην Ελλάδα, σε μετάφραση του Μιχάλη Μητσού, με την έκδοση αυτή να αποτελεί και το μόνο του βιβλίο στα ελληνικά μέχρι σήμερα.
Η ιστορία λαμβάνει χώρα στη ρουμανική πρωτεύουσα όπου συμβαίνουν πολλές και συνεχόμενες δολοφονίες μελών της πολυπληθούς κοινότητας των Ρομά, οι οποίοι είχαν ποινικό παρελθόν. Οι δολοφονίες πραγματοποιούνται όλες από ένα άτομο και με τον ίδιο τρόπο πάντα, από όπου παίρνει και το όνομά του ο δολοφόνος ως Στιλέτο. Πέρα από τον δολοφόνο, ο οποίος στην ουσία δεν αποκτά φυσική υπόσταση, δεν υπάρχει κάποιος συγκεκριμένος πρωταγωνιστής και η ιστορία είναι δομημένη με διαλόγους μεταξύ, ως επί το πλείστον, των πολιτικών και δημοσιογραφικών προσωπικοτήτων της Ρουμανίας, σχολιάζοντας τα καθέκαστα της υπόθεσης αλλά και όσα συμβαίνουν στην ρουμανική επικράτεια λόγω αυτού. Όπως γίνεται εύκολα αντιληπτό αυξάνονται σχεδόν αμέσως οι ήδη υπάρχουσες φυλετικές συγκρούσεις μεταξύ των Ρουμάνων και των Ρομά, οι οποίοι αποτελούν κάτι παραπάνω από το 3% του πληθυσμού της χώρας, αν και υπάρχουν πολλοί περισσότεροι πολίτες που η καταγωγή τους βρίσκεται σε αυτή τη φυλή.
Από τη μια έχουμε τους Ρουμάνους οι οποίοι βρίσκουν τον εύκολο στόχο ως προς τις κακές οικονομικές συνθήκες που ζουν, ο οποίος δεν είναι άλλος από τους Ρομά (γκούχου γκούχου), και ως κοινωνία επικροτούν τις δράσεις του Στιλέτου. Από την άλλη οι Ρόμα μετά τις συνεχείς δολοφονίες που έχουν σαφή φυλετικό προσανατολισμό αρχίζουν να εξεγείρονται με τις συγκρούσεις μεταξύ των να είναι αναπόφευκτες. Την ίδια ώρα αυξάνεται η δύναμη του ακροδεξιού κόμματος (γκούχου γκούχου) της Ρουμανίας που χρησιμοποιεί μια πολύ οικεία ρητορική για τα ελληνικά δεδομένα, όπως παραδείγματος χάριν “αυτά τα χέρια είναι καθαρά“, “οι Ρουμάνοι να πάρουν πίσω την χώρα τους“, “αν δεν συμπεριφέρονται σωστά οι τσιγγάνοι, θα έχουν την κατάληξη που τους αξίζει” και λοιπές ομορφιές.
Λογοτεχνικά μιλώντας, το κείμενο δεν είναι τόσο δυνατό όσο ίσως θα όφειλε, και είναι γεγονός πως σε αρκετά σημεία πραγματοποιούνται κοιλιές ή επαναλήψεις. Από την άλλη όμως, ο Bogdan Teodorescu παρουσιάζει μέσα από ένα πολιτικό θρίλερ, την ρουμανική κοινωνία, κυρίως εντός αλλά και εκτός Βουκουρεστίου, καθώς και τις κοινωνικές και φυλετικές διαφορές που είναι πολύ βολικό να συντηρούνται. Σε αυτό το σημείο, τονίζεται η δύναμη της περιγραφής των γεγονότων από πολιτικούς και δημοσιογράφους, καθώς παρουσιάζονται με πολύ ρεαλιστικό τρόπο οι διάφορες συναντήσεις των προσωπικοτήτων αυτών, και τα συμφέροντά τους που μεταβάλλονται συνεχώς, παραμένοντας όμως πάντα συμφέροντα εις βάρος των χαμηλών τάξεων και των περιθωριακών κοινοτήτων. Αυτός ο τρόπος γραφής από τη μία αφαιρεί πολλές φορές την συναισθηματική ένταση ακόμα και σε αρκετά δυνατές σκηνές, αλλά από την άλλη δίνει μια πιο κυνική περιγραφή όλων αυτών των γεγονότων μέσα από τα μάτια εκείνων που οι φυλετικές συγκρούσεις επηρεάζουν μόνο την ατζέντα τους.
Είναι εντυπωσιακό το πόσα κοινά μπορεί να βρει κανείς καθ’ όλη τη διάρκεια του βιβλίου όσον αφορά την αύξηση του ρατσισμού και της ακροδεξιάς, μεταξύ της Ρουμανίας και της Ελλάδας, το οποίο ταυτόχρονα βάζει σε σκέψεις για το τι ισχύει και σε άλλες χώρες με χαμηλό οικονομικό επίπεδο. Η ρητορική που χρησιμοποιείται από το ακροδεξιό κόμμα της Ρουμανίας, όπως περιγράφεται από τον Bogdan Teodorescu, είναι όμοια με αυτή του αντίστοιχου ακροδεξιού κόμματος της Ελλάδας, αλλά και άλλων χωρών. Από μόνο του αυτό το γεγονός είναι ικανό -ή θα έπρεπε να είναι- ώστε να προβληματίσει ως προς τα συμφέροντα όσων συντηρούν και εκμεταλλεύονται της φυλετικές και ταξικές διαφορές.
Εν κατακλείδι, ο Bogdan Teodorescu, παραθέτει ένα πολιτικό μυθιστόρημα μυστηρίου, το οποίο διαφέρει αρκετά συγγραφικά από τη συνηθισμένη γραφή αυτού του είδους. Η βαρύτητα του έργου βρίσκεται όπως είναι αναμενόμενο, στο πώς το εκάστοτε πολιτικό σύστημα προσπαθεί να εκμεταλλευτεί τόσο τις φυλετικές όσο και τις κοινωνικές διαφορές προς όφελός του. Το γεγονός αυτό κάνει Το Στιλέτο ένα πολύ ενδιαφέρον βιβλίο, μέσα από το οποίο μπορούν να παραλληλιστούν πολλές αντίστοιχες καταστάσεις που συμβαίνουν και σε άλλα κράτη, με πρώτο και καλύτερο την Ελλάδα του σήμερα.
Για το Smassing Culture.
May 8, 2020
Visit the locations in the novel
Romanian Noir? Know what it is and have you read any? I’m fairly new to literature from this part of the world but I’m now no stranger. This is one of the most unique and fascinating reads I’ve read in a while. You can’t really place it into one genre for it’s so much more than a sum of its parts. It’s a complex picture of Romanian society for one, a racially motivated series of murders, political divisions and corruption on every level.
A unique and fascinating insight into Romanian society - or any society with outsiders, suspicion, corruption and worse...
The style of the novel was different to what I’d read before. It was easy to read yet so peppered with authentic dialogue and snippets of cultural references that it was almost like being part of a gripping social theatre piece or even docudrama. The characters were fully fleshed and I quickly felt part of the Romanian society . Scary though, as the social divide and anger against the Roma was evident from the start. This was a real strength of the novel, the reader is launched straight into the tensions and the reality of life as an outsider.
The opening chapter pulls no punches. It’s graphic. The killer is called The Sword for the way he butchers people. It’s hard-hitting. But this is not a gory novel for the rest of the story takes this as a launch to examine society, reactions to the murders, treatment of the Roma people and is not the novel you might have expected from that first chapter.
I found it interesting how this book played with my thoughts and expectations. Some of the victims are not nice people, yet their murder becomes mixed in with the others - they are mere pieces on a chess set - controlled by the political and criminal elements of society. It’s the media portrayal of it all that really shocks however.
A really fascinating read. So much to discuss from this so bookclubs get stuck in - Romanian Noir should be on your reading list!
April 26, 2020
This is the first time I have read any translated fiction from Romania so I really didn't know what to expect when I started reading. The blurb sounding fascinating and I am always keen to read new authors so it seemed the perfect combination. The book starts in fairly dramatic style - not gratuitous in any way - but certainly surprising. From the very beginning we are introduced to a cold blooded killer. Their victims may not be the most sympathetic of characters - thieves, traffickers and confidence tricksters - but nonetheless they are still victims. And yet ... this is less a book about the act of murder, or even the investigation into who may be behind the murders, to be fair, than it is about the public and political reaction to the murders themselves and the fact that the victims are all from a very specific part of Romanian society - the Roma community.
The book made for a fascinating read. Now I don't know how much of the story is rooted in Romanian fact and how much pure Romanian fiction as I don't know the country or the culture well enough to pass comment, but I could recognise in the story all of the prejudice, political grandstanding, point scoring and perceived back-stabbing that is inherent in all modern society. That sense of division between media and the political world, and even between the rival parties and Presidential candidates that had such an air of authenticity about it that made it feel a lot less like fiction that it perhaps should have done. From the internal meetings where one senior politician would gladly sacrifice another in order to protect their own skins and boost their own approval ratings, through to the way in which certain factions of the media would also sell themselves and their readers or listeners out in the names of self interest, it felt uncomfortably realistic.
At the heart of the novel is the theme of prejudice and the inherent suspicion with which the majority of the Romanian society are portrayed to regard the Roma Community. And that too felt uncomfortably real, something that was easy to identify with given the fact that the story mirrors the way in which a community of travellers would be viewed even on our own shores. But just as some elements of the community may seek out less legal ways in which to earn their keep, many are peaceful and fair people who find themselves caught in the crossfire of growing racial tension. And I don't think it is much of a stretch for any reader to be able to translate that inherent prejudice and even unfair treatment in to any part of modern life. The way in which the author builds that growing tension, the constant provocation of the media to build up the ill feeling, just adds to the urgency of some of the scenes in the book. You become so invested in those divisions, you almost forget that there is a killer at large. They become little more than a secondary character ina. very complex political game.
This is not a fast paced book and I'll admit it did take me a while to get into the style of writing as it is quite different from the kinds of full on action or police procedural books I am used to reading. But it did intrigue me and the more I read, the more I wanted to see if a) they would ever catch their killer and b) how far the politicians were willing to go to save their own skins with a situation that was fast becoming a full on political disaster. A really interesting read and despite everything - you know, the dodgy politics and the murders and all - I really feel like I'd like to visit Romania now.
The book made for a fascinating read. Now I don't know how much of the story is rooted in Romanian fact and how much pure Romanian fiction as I don't know the country or the culture well enough to pass comment, but I could recognise in the story all of the prejudice, political grandstanding, point scoring and perceived back-stabbing that is inherent in all modern society. That sense of division between media and the political world, and even between the rival parties and Presidential candidates that had such an air of authenticity about it that made it feel a lot less like fiction that it perhaps should have done. From the internal meetings where one senior politician would gladly sacrifice another in order to protect their own skins and boost their own approval ratings, through to the way in which certain factions of the media would also sell themselves and their readers or listeners out in the names of self interest, it felt uncomfortably realistic.
At the heart of the novel is the theme of prejudice and the inherent suspicion with which the majority of the Romanian society are portrayed to regard the Roma Community. And that too felt uncomfortably real, something that was easy to identify with given the fact that the story mirrors the way in which a community of travellers would be viewed even on our own shores. But just as some elements of the community may seek out less legal ways in which to earn their keep, many are peaceful and fair people who find themselves caught in the crossfire of growing racial tension. And I don't think it is much of a stretch for any reader to be able to translate that inherent prejudice and even unfair treatment in to any part of modern life. The way in which the author builds that growing tension, the constant provocation of the media to build up the ill feeling, just adds to the urgency of some of the scenes in the book. You become so invested in those divisions, you almost forget that there is a killer at large. They become little more than a secondary character ina. very complex political game.
This is not a fast paced book and I'll admit it did take me a while to get into the style of writing as it is quite different from the kinds of full on action or police procedural books I am used to reading. But it did intrigue me and the more I read, the more I wanted to see if a) they would ever catch their killer and b) how far the politicians were willing to go to save their own skins with a situation that was fast becoming a full on political disaster. A really interesting read and despite everything - you know, the dodgy politics and the murders and all - I really feel like I'd like to visit Romania now.
May 6, 2020
his book was a real treat and one of the most fascinating reads I've had in the last few months. I owe it to the translator, Marina Sofia, who was kind enough to offer me an ARC in exchange for an honest review. The synopsis of Sword is misleading as when I first read it, I thought that this was another police procedural/serial-killer thriller with a different setting. I was so wrong. This is one of the most politicized books I've ever encountered and for the most part, it felt like watching a season of the popular television drama House of Cards. The story involves a series of murders committed against members of the Roma community who also had extensive criminal activity in the past. The victims are found dead with a single sword blow to the front of the throat and soon the press nicknames the killer as the "Sword". In the first pages of the book the writer, Bogdan Teodorescu, writes about the murder of the first victim in an open market in Bucharest and this is the last time that we read about the actual killings. The rest of the book is focused on the political dimensions of this case and it is narrated through myriad different perspectives. Career politicians, journalists, speechwriters, party leaders, intelligence services, the army. In the beginning, I found the constant shifting of perspective a bit disorientating as in nearly every new chapter, a new character is introduced. Nevertheless, as I went on I was immersed in the excellent representation of the Romanian political game and reality. The author is himself a political analyst, a fact that adds to the eerie reality feeling that the book conveys.
To read my full review, visit https://tapthelinemag.com/post/sword
To read my full review, visit https://tapthelinemag.com/post/sword
May 4, 2020
A really intriguing setting, new I think to most U.S. readers: Romania. I know very little of this Eastern European nation other than the background I acquired from reading Dan Simmons ' CHILDREN OF THE NIGHT. SWORD is set more recently, and what an excellent view it provides of culture, nationalism, government, police procedure, and the near-constant ethnic tensions. What appears to be a new serial killer is targeting Roma criminals. Police and governmental agencies are baffled. What could be the connection? Ethnic cleansing? And will the backlash target the majority ethnicities? How to catch an "invisible, " elusive murderer?
July 24, 2020
The politics of crime...
When a petty criminal is brutally killed, at first no one pays too much attention. But it quickly turns out he was only the first victim – soon there have been several murders, all carried out the same way: a method which earns the killer the nickname Sword. All the victims have two things in common. They are all criminals, and they are all members of the Roma, a minority ethnic group in Romania. Soon the matter becomes political as long-unresolved racial tensions rise to the surface, leading to outbreaks of violence. This is the story of a new, fragile democracy and of the men who are trying to make it work, or to undermine it...
The translation by Marina Sofia is excellent. There’s no clunkiness, and either she or the author, or both, know when an international audience might need a little bit of extra guidance to understand something that may be obvious to Romanians. This meant that, although the story is quite complex, I never felt lost.
The book is a very original take on a crime novel, looking deeply into the politics of racially motivated crime and how it impacts on an already divided society. The first chapter shows us the first murder in fairly graphic detail and it seems as if it’s going to be the start of a more or less standard crime fiction. But almost immediately we are taken, not to the police investigation, but to the corridors of power, where a Presidential election is only a few months away and all the top politicians are jostling for position. Some of the characters are named, but others are simply known by their titles – the President, the Minister of the Interior, and so on. There’s a cast of thousands (slight exaggeration, perhaps) and a handy cast list at the end, although I quickly found I didn’t need it, because in a sense who the characters are doesn’t matter – it’s their role in the politics of the country that matters. By about halfway through some of them had developed distinctive personalities, but others were simply “journalists”, “Presidential advisers”, “political commentators”, etc.
You hate the sound of this now, don’t you? But honestly, it works! It’s not really about the people, or even the crimes – it’s a political thriller about how politicians in a corrupt society manoeuvre, how they manipulate the media and how in turn the media manipulates them. It’s about Romania trying to juggle the demands of all the demanding new European and American partners they have to deal with now they’ve left the Soviet sphere of influence. And it’s a coldly cynical look at how politicians might ruthlessly inflame the divisions in society to boost their own electoral chances.
The Roma are seen as a kind of underclass, marginalised and discriminated against by a society that has written them off as criminals. They are the target of the Romanian version of white supremacists, but even the mainstream parties would rather they just stayed silent and invisible or better yet, left Romania altogether. As more victims turn up, tensions between the Roma and the Romanians grow, eventually leading to a series of violent confrontations, each more serious than the last. For those in power, a difficult balance must be struck – plenty of Romanians see the Sword as some kind of avenging angel, while the equally unscrupulous political leaders of the Roma see it as a way to lever some recognition for themselves. For those who want to be in power, it’s an opportunity – how can they best use it to bring the government to its knees?
I suspect you’d have to be interested in the skulduggery of politics to enjoy this one, although it’s certainly not necessary to understand Romanian politics specifically. The thing that most stood out to me, in fact, was that no matter the country, the corruption and the character of those who seek political power are depressingly similar. It’s so well done – too believable to be comfortable. Seeing how the actions of one man can cause a chain reaction that escalates to a point where society itself is fracturing and in danger of imploding is frighteningly relevant, especially when the basis of the story is about the marginalisation and repression of an ethnic group – something we’re all struggling with in the West at the moment. I love political shenanigans, so I loved the book, and learned a lot about Romania’s recent history as a bonus. Great stuff – highly recommended!
www.fictionfanblog.wordpress.com
When a petty criminal is brutally killed, at first no one pays too much attention. But it quickly turns out he was only the first victim – soon there have been several murders, all carried out the same way: a method which earns the killer the nickname Sword. All the victims have two things in common. They are all criminals, and they are all members of the Roma, a minority ethnic group in Romania. Soon the matter becomes political as long-unresolved racial tensions rise to the surface, leading to outbreaks of violence. This is the story of a new, fragile democracy and of the men who are trying to make it work, or to undermine it...
The translation by Marina Sofia is excellent. There’s no clunkiness, and either she or the author, or both, know when an international audience might need a little bit of extra guidance to understand something that may be obvious to Romanians. This meant that, although the story is quite complex, I never felt lost.
The book is a very original take on a crime novel, looking deeply into the politics of racially motivated crime and how it impacts on an already divided society. The first chapter shows us the first murder in fairly graphic detail and it seems as if it’s going to be the start of a more or less standard crime fiction. But almost immediately we are taken, not to the police investigation, but to the corridors of power, where a Presidential election is only a few months away and all the top politicians are jostling for position. Some of the characters are named, but others are simply known by their titles – the President, the Minister of the Interior, and so on. There’s a cast of thousands (slight exaggeration, perhaps) and a handy cast list at the end, although I quickly found I didn’t need it, because in a sense who the characters are doesn’t matter – it’s their role in the politics of the country that matters. By about halfway through some of them had developed distinctive personalities, but others were simply “journalists”, “Presidential advisers”, “political commentators”, etc.
You hate the sound of this now, don’t you? But honestly, it works! It’s not really about the people, or even the crimes – it’s a political thriller about how politicians in a corrupt society manoeuvre, how they manipulate the media and how in turn the media manipulates them. It’s about Romania trying to juggle the demands of all the demanding new European and American partners they have to deal with now they’ve left the Soviet sphere of influence. And it’s a coldly cynical look at how politicians might ruthlessly inflame the divisions in society to boost their own electoral chances.
The Roma are seen as a kind of underclass, marginalised and discriminated against by a society that has written them off as criminals. They are the target of the Romanian version of white supremacists, but even the mainstream parties would rather they just stayed silent and invisible or better yet, left Romania altogether. As more victims turn up, tensions between the Roma and the Romanians grow, eventually leading to a series of violent confrontations, each more serious than the last. For those in power, a difficult balance must be struck – plenty of Romanians see the Sword as some kind of avenging angel, while the equally unscrupulous political leaders of the Roma see it as a way to lever some recognition for themselves. For those who want to be in power, it’s an opportunity – how can they best use it to bring the government to its knees?
I suspect you’d have to be interested in the skulduggery of politics to enjoy this one, although it’s certainly not necessary to understand Romanian politics specifically. The thing that most stood out to me, in fact, was that no matter the country, the corruption and the character of those who seek political power are depressingly similar. It’s so well done – too believable to be comfortable. Seeing how the actions of one man can cause a chain reaction that escalates to a point where society itself is fracturing and in danger of imploding is frighteningly relevant, especially when the basis of the story is about the marginalisation and repression of an ethnic group – something we’re all struggling with in the West at the moment. I love political shenanigans, so I loved the book, and learned a lot about Romania’s recent history as a bonus. Great stuff – highly recommended!
www.fictionfanblog.wordpress.com
May 5, 2020
I was attracted by the description of the book, the author and also the fact that I was born in Romania so I can say that I am not a stranger to the environment in which the story takes place.
All these aside, I have to tell that the book itself is very well written and documented. It an in-depth journalistic narrative of the current situation in Romania in regards to political games, corruption and the highest level, press manipulation and a serial killer who threatens to stir things between Romanians and Roma community.
Reading “SWORD” reminded me again just how easily society can be manipulated by media and implicitly the political class and also, how every single person (important or not) is just a piece of chess for the President to move around as he pleases. From a serial killer to dangerous political games, this book has them all and offers a clear picture of what Romania became after the 1989 Revolution when everyone thought that the gained freedom will bring them better brighter lives. Journalists are being bought or their careers are coming to a sudden end if they can’t bend towards the ones who have the power, contracts are being offered to different business people according with higher interests and the game is dirtier than we can see in the movies with low blows at all levels
Useless politicians placed in high places are forced to play a game just to keep their comfortable chairs in the Government, even if that means that lives are to be lost and criminals are free to do what they know best
All these aside, I have to tell that the book itself is very well written and documented. It an in-depth journalistic narrative of the current situation in Romania in regards to political games, corruption and the highest level, press manipulation and a serial killer who threatens to stir things between Romanians and Roma community.
Reading “SWORD” reminded me again just how easily society can be manipulated by media and implicitly the political class and also, how every single person (important or not) is just a piece of chess for the President to move around as he pleases. From a serial killer to dangerous political games, this book has them all and offers a clear picture of what Romania became after the 1989 Revolution when everyone thought that the gained freedom will bring them better brighter lives. Journalists are being bought or their careers are coming to a sudden end if they can’t bend towards the ones who have the power, contracts are being offered to different business people according with higher interests and the game is dirtier than we can see in the movies with low blows at all levels
Useless politicians placed in high places are forced to play a game just to keep their comfortable chairs in the Government, even if that means that lives are to be lost and criminals are free to do what they know best
May 13, 2020
A killer is on the loose, striking down victims with a sword. The things that unite the victims are that they are from the Roma community, and have criminal records. As the death toll mounts, so does the pressure on those tasked with solving the crime.
From the start, rather than pursue the real killer, groups and individuals across Romanian society exploit the crisis for their own ends – from the police, to politicians and the media, to NGOs who ostensibly exist to support the interests of the Roma community.
When we read translated fiction it’s an opportunity to learn more about a country and its culture. Here, while there are unique resonances, it’s also interesting to see what’s universal. Some of the scenes featuring politicians and the media could have come out of The Thick of It or House of Cards.
With its pared-down prose and huge cast of (overwhelmingly male) characters, the narration is ironic and detached. (There is a cast list at the end of the book, to help you keep track.) Rather than a close sense of involvement, what you get is a sense of the events rippling out and encompassing all levels of society.
Sword offers an interesting insight into the challenges of democratic politics, the way truth is manipulated to tell a more convenient story – in Romania and everywhere.
*
I received a copy of Sword from the publisher.
From the start, rather than pursue the real killer, groups and individuals across Romanian society exploit the crisis for their own ends – from the police, to politicians and the media, to NGOs who ostensibly exist to support the interests of the Roma community.
When we read translated fiction it’s an opportunity to learn more about a country and its culture. Here, while there are unique resonances, it’s also interesting to see what’s universal. Some of the scenes featuring politicians and the media could have come out of The Thick of It or House of Cards.
With its pared-down prose and huge cast of (overwhelmingly male) characters, the narration is ironic and detached. (There is a cast list at the end of the book, to help you keep track.) Rather than a close sense of involvement, what you get is a sense of the events rippling out and encompassing all levels of society.
Sword offers an interesting insight into the challenges of democratic politics, the way truth is manipulated to tell a more convenient story – in Romania and everywhere.
*
I received a copy of Sword from the publisher.
May 5, 2020
A very well written and documented book. It an in-depth journalistic narrative of the current situation in Romania in regards to political games, corruption and the highest level, press manipulation and a serial killer who threatens to stir things between Romanians and Roma community.
Reading “SWORD” reminded me again just how easily society can be manipulated by media and implicitly the political class and also, how every single person (important or not) is just a piece of chess for the President to move around as he pleases. From a serial killer to dangerous political games, this book has them all and offers a clear picture of what Romania became after the 1989 Revolution when everyone thought that the gained freedom will bring them better brighter lives. Journalists are being bought or their careers are coming to a sudden end if they can’t bend towards the ones who have the power, contracts are being offered to different business people according with higher interests and the game is dirtier than we can see in the movies with low blows at all levels
Reading “SWORD” reminded me again just how easily society can be manipulated by media and implicitly the political class and also, how every single person (important or not) is just a piece of chess for the President to move around as he pleases. From a serial killer to dangerous political games, this book has them all and offers a clear picture of what Romania became after the 1989 Revolution when everyone thought that the gained freedom will bring them better brighter lives. Journalists are being bought or their careers are coming to a sudden end if they can’t bend towards the ones who have the power, contracts are being offered to different business people according with higher interests and the game is dirtier than we can see in the movies with low blows at all levels
May 9, 2020
I’m really ashamed to say that I’m Romanian and haven’t read this book or the author before because it’s simply amazing and the translation was perfect in every possible way.
I loved to go back to my birth city and be reminded of how much the political influence impacts on every single day and institutions, especially in that period time when everything was still unsure and people were still hanging on the memory of the communist era.
It's atmospheric and suspenseful, it shows the real and hidden face of those that will step on dead bodies to gain power and privilege.
A must-read story for thriller lovers and especially if you want to have a peek inside one of the most beautiful European countries.
I loved to go back to my birth city and be reminded of how much the political influence impacts on every single day and institutions, especially in that period time when everything was still unsure and people were still hanging on the memory of the communist era.
It's atmospheric and suspenseful, it shows the real and hidden face of those that will step on dead bodies to gain power and privilege.
A must-read story for thriller lovers and especially if you want to have a peek inside one of the most beautiful European countries.
June 9, 2020
In the challenging times we live in it’s more important than ever to expand our horizons and learn about other cultures, countries and people – if only to realise that inherently we are all the same. There’s no better way to do this than through translated fiction. Literature translated from Icelandic, Italian, German and other European languages is readily available, but Romanian fiction less so. Newly established UK publisher, Corylus Books aims to rectify this situation and publish new, exciting voices translated into English.
First up is Sword, a Romanian bestseller, which provides insight into the dark underbelly of Bucharest’s criminal world and its equally corrupt government. Full review on my blog: https://wanderingwestswords.wordpress...
First up is Sword, a Romanian bestseller, which provides insight into the dark underbelly of Bucharest’s criminal world and its equally corrupt government. Full review on my blog: https://wanderingwestswords.wordpress...
May 26, 2017
This is not the detective-led crime fiction I was expecting when I heard it was about a serial killer. Instead, it is a political thriller, exploring the rise of extremism and how political parties use tragic events to further their own agendas. A sobering and fierce picture of contemporary society not just in Romania, but in a great many countries.
December 25, 2019
Κριτική στο Smassing Culture
Ρουμανία όπως Ελλάδα
Με την ευκαιρία ενός ταξιδιού στο Βουκουρέστι, η ανάγνωση ενός ρουμάνικου μυθιστορήματος φάνταζε ιδανική. Τον ρόλο αυτό πήρε Το Στιλέτο του Bogdan Teodorescu το οποίο κυκλοφόρησε αρχικά το 2009 στη Ρουμανία και τον Νοέμβριο του 2018 από τις εκδόσεις Πόλις στην Ελλάδα, σε μετάφραση του Μιχάλη Μητσού, με την έκδοση αυτή να αποτελεί και το μόνο του βιβλίο στα ελληνικά μέχρι σήμερα.
Η ιστορία λαμβάνει χώρα στη ρουμανική πρωτεύουσα όπου συμβαίνουν πολλές και συνεχόμενες δολοφονίες μελών της πολυπληθούς κοινότητας των Ρομά, οι οποίοι είχαν ποινικό παρελθόν. Οι δολοφονίες πραγματοποιούνται όλες από ένα άτομο και με τον ίδιο τρόπο πάντα, από όπου παίρνει και το όνομά του ο δολοφόνος ως Στιλέτο. Πέρα από τον δολοφόνο, ο οποίος στην ουσία δεν αποκτά φυσική υπόσταση, δεν υπάρχει κάποιος συγκεκριμένος πρωταγωνιστής και η ιστορία είναι δομημένη με διαλόγους μεταξύ, ως επί το πλείστον, των πολιτικών και δημοσιογραφικών προσωπικοτήτων της Ρουμανίας, σχολιάζοντας τα καθέκαστα της υπόθεσης αλλά και όσα συμβαίνουν στην ρουμανική επικράτεια λόγω αυτού. Όπως γίνεται εύκολα αντιληπτό αυξάνονται σχεδόν αμέσως οι ήδη υπάρχουσες φυλετικές συγκρούσεις μεταξύ των Ρουμάνων και των Ρομά, οι οποίοι αποτελούν κάτι παραπάνω από το 3% του πληθυσμού της χώρας, αν και υπάρχουν πολλοί περισσότεροι πολίτες που η καταγωγή τους βρίσκεται σε αυτή τη φυλή.
Από τη μια έχουμε τους Ρουμάνους οι οποίοι βρίσκουν τον εύκολο στόχο ως προς τις κακές οικονομικές συνθήκες που ζουν, ο οποίος δεν είναι άλλος από τους Ρομά (γκούχου γκούχου), και ως κοινωνία επικροτούν τις δράσεις του Στιλέτου. Από την άλλη οι Ρόμα μετά τις συνεχείς δολοφονίες που έχουν σαφή φυλετικό προσανατολισμό αρχίζουν να εξεγείρονται με τις συγκρούσεις μεταξύ των να είναι αναπόφευκτες. Την ίδια ώρα αυξάνεται η δύναμη του ακροδεξιού κόμματος (γκούχου γκούχου) της Ρουμανίας που χρησιμοποιεί μια πολύ οικεία ρητορική για τα ελληνικά δεδομένα, όπως παραδείγματος χάριν “αυτά τα χέρια είναι καθαρά“, “οι Ρουμάνοι να πάρουν πίσω την χώρα τους“, “αν δεν συμπεριφέρονται σωστά οι τσιγγάνοι, θα έχουν την κατάληξη που τους αξίζει” και λοιπές ομορφιές.
Λογοτεχνικά μιλώντας, το κείμενο δεν είναι τόσο δυνατό όσο ίσως θα όφειλε, και είναι γεγονός πως σε αρκετά σημεία πραγματοποιούνται κοιλιές ή επαναλήψεις. Από την άλλη όμως, ο Bogdan Teodorescu παρουσιάζει μέσα από ένα πολιτικό θρίλερ, την ρουμανική κοινωνία, κυρίως εντός αλλά και εκτός Βουκουρεστίου, καθώς και τις κοινωνικές και φυλετικές διαφορές που είναι πολύ βολικό να συντηρούνται. Σε αυτό το σημείο, τονίζεται η δύναμη της περιγραφής των γεγονότων από πολιτικούς και δημοσιογράφους, καθώς παρουσιάζονται με πολύ ρεαλιστικό τρόπο οι διάφορες συναντήσεις των προσωπικοτήτων αυτών, και τα συμφέροντά τους που μεταβάλλονται συνεχώς, παραμένοντας όμως πάντα συμφέροντα εις βάρος των χαμηλών τάξεων και των περιθωριακών κοινοτήτων. Αυτός ο τρόπος γραφής από τη μία αφαιρεί πολλές φορές την συναισθηματική ένταση ακόμα και σε αρκετά δυνατές σκηνές, αλλά από την άλλη δίνει μια πιο κυνική περιγραφή όλων αυτών των γεγονότων μέσα από τα μάτια εκείνων που οι φυλετικές συγκρούσεις επηρεάζουν μόνο την ατζέντα τους.
Είναι εντυπωσιακό το πόσα κοινά μπορεί να βρει κανείς καθ’ όλη τη διάρκεια του βιβλίου όσον αφορά την αύξηση του ρατσισμού και της ακροδεξιάς, μεταξύ της Ρουμανίας και της Ελλάδας, το οποίο ταυτόχρονα βάζει σε σκέψεις για το τι ισχύει και σε άλλες χώρες με χαμηλό οικονομικό επίπεδο. Η ρητορική που χρησιμοποιείται από το ακροδεξιό κόμμα της Ρουμανίας, όπως περιγράφεται από τον Bogdan Teodorescu, είναι όμοια με αυτή του αντίστοιχου ακροδεξιού κόμματος της Ελλάδας, αλλά και άλλων χωρών. Από μόνο του αυτό το γεγονός είναι ικανό -ή θα έπρεπε να είναι- ώστε να προβληματίσει ως προς τα συμφέροντα όσων συντηρούν και εκμεταλλεύονται της φυλετικές και ταξικές διαφορές.
Εν κατακλείδι, ο Bogdan Teodorescu, παραθέτει ένα πολιτικό μυθιστόρημα μυστηρίου, το οποίο διαφέρει αρκετά συγγραφικά από τη συνηθισμένη γραφή αυτού του είδους. Η βαρύτητα του έργου βρίσκεται όπως είναι αναμενόμενο, στο πώς το εκάστοτε πολιτικό σύστημα προσπαθεί να εκμεταλλευτεί τόσο τις φυλετικές όσο και τις κοινωνικές διαφορές προς όφελός του. Το γεγονός αυτό κάνει Το Στιλέτο ένα πολύ ενδιαφέρον βιβλίο, μέσα από το οποίο μπορούν να παραλληλιστούν πολλές αντίστοιχες καταστάσεις που συμβαίνουν και σε άλλα κράτη, με πρώτο και καλύτερο την Ελλάδα του σήμερα.
Ρουμανία όπως Ελλάδα
Με την ευκαιρία ενός ταξιδιού στο Βουκουρέστι, η ανάγνωση ενός ρουμάνικου μυθιστορήματος φάνταζε ιδανική. Τον ρόλο αυτό πήρε Το Στιλέτο του Bogdan Teodorescu το οποίο κυκλοφόρησε αρχικά το 2009 στη Ρουμανία και τον Νοέμβριο του 2018 από τις εκδόσεις Πόλις στην Ελλάδα, σε μετάφραση του Μιχάλη Μητσού, με την έκδοση αυτή να αποτελεί και το μόνο του βιβλίο στα ελληνικά μέχρι σήμερα.
Η ιστορία λαμβάνει χώρα στη ρουμανική πρωτεύουσα όπου συμβαίνουν πολλές και συνεχόμενες δολοφονίες μελών της πολυπληθούς κοινότητας των Ρομά, οι οποίοι είχαν ποινικό παρελθόν. Οι δολοφονίες πραγματοποιούνται όλες από ένα άτομο και με τον ίδιο τρόπο πάντα, από όπου παίρνει και το όνομά του ο δολοφόνος ως Στιλέτο. Πέρα από τον δολοφόνο, ο οποίος στην ουσία δεν αποκτά φυσική υπόσταση, δεν υπάρχει κάποιος συγκεκριμένος πρωταγωνιστής και η ιστορία είναι δομημένη με διαλόγους μεταξύ, ως επί το πλείστον, των πολιτικών και δημοσιογραφικών προσωπικοτήτων της Ρουμανίας, σχολιάζοντας τα καθέκαστα της υπόθεσης αλλά και όσα συμβαίνουν στην ρουμανική επικράτεια λόγω αυτού. Όπως γίνεται εύκολα αντιληπτό αυξάνονται σχεδόν αμέσως οι ήδη υπάρχουσες φυλετικές συγκρούσεις μεταξύ των Ρουμάνων και των Ρομά, οι οποίοι αποτελούν κάτι παραπάνω από το 3% του πληθυσμού της χώρας, αν και υπάρχουν πολλοί περισσότεροι πολίτες που η καταγωγή τους βρίσκεται σε αυτή τη φυλή.
Από τη μια έχουμε τους Ρουμάνους οι οποίοι βρίσκουν τον εύκολο στόχο ως προς τις κακές οικονομικές συνθήκες που ζουν, ο οποίος δεν είναι άλλος από τους Ρομά (γκούχου γκούχου), και ως κοινωνία επικροτούν τις δράσεις του Στιλέτου. Από την άλλη οι Ρόμα μετά τις συνεχείς δολοφονίες που έχουν σαφή φυλετικό προσανατολισμό αρχίζουν να εξεγείρονται με τις συγκρούσεις μεταξύ των να είναι αναπόφευκτες. Την ίδια ώρα αυξάνεται η δύναμη του ακροδεξιού κόμματος (γκούχου γκούχου) της Ρουμανίας που χρησιμοποιεί μια πολύ οικεία ρητορική για τα ελληνικά δεδομένα, όπως παραδείγματος χάριν “αυτά τα χέρια είναι καθαρά“, “οι Ρουμάνοι να πάρουν πίσω την χώρα τους“, “αν δεν συμπεριφέρονται σωστά οι τσιγγάνοι, θα έχουν την κατάληξη που τους αξίζει” και λοιπές ομορφιές.
Λογοτεχνικά μιλώντας, το κείμενο δεν είναι τόσο δυνατό όσο ίσως θα όφειλε, και είναι γεγονός πως σε αρκετά σημεία πραγματοποιούνται κοιλιές ή επαναλήψεις. Από την άλλη όμως, ο Bogdan Teodorescu παρουσιάζει μέσα από ένα πολιτικό θρίλερ, την ρουμανική κοινωνία, κυρίως εντός αλλά και εκτός Βουκουρεστίου, καθώς και τις κοινωνικές και φυλετικές διαφορές που είναι πολύ βολικό να συντηρούνται. Σε αυτό το σημείο, τονίζεται η δύναμη της περιγραφής των γεγονότων από πολιτικούς και δημοσιογράφους, καθώς παρουσιάζονται με πολύ ρεαλιστικό τρόπο οι διάφορες συναντήσεις των προσωπικοτήτων αυτών, και τα συμφέροντά τους που μεταβάλλονται συνεχώς, παραμένοντας όμως πάντα συμφέροντα εις βάρος των χαμηλών τάξεων και των περιθωριακών κοινοτήτων. Αυτός ο τρόπος γραφής από τη μία αφαιρεί πολλές φορές την συναισθηματική ένταση ακόμα και σε αρκετά δυνατές σκηνές, αλλά από την άλλη δίνει μια πιο κυνική περιγραφή όλων αυτών των γεγονότων μέσα από τα μάτια εκείνων που οι φυλετικές συγκρούσεις επηρεάζουν μόνο την ατζέντα τους.
Είναι εντυπωσιακό το πόσα κοινά μπορεί να βρει κανείς καθ’ όλη τη διάρκεια του βιβλίου όσον αφορά την αύξηση του ρατσισμού και της ακροδεξιάς, μεταξύ της Ρουμανίας και της Ελλάδας, το οποίο ταυτόχρονα βάζει σε σκέψεις για το τι ισχύει και σε άλλες χώρες με χαμηλό οικονομικό επίπεδο. Η ρητορική που χρησιμοποιείται από το ακροδεξιό κόμμα της Ρουμανίας, όπως περιγράφεται από τον Bogdan Teodorescu, είναι όμοια με αυτή του αντίστοιχου ακροδεξιού κόμματος της Ελλάδας, αλλά και άλλων χωρών. Από μόνο του αυτό το γεγονός είναι ικανό -ή θα έπρεπε να είναι- ώστε να προβληματίσει ως προς τα συμφέροντα όσων συντηρούν και εκμεταλλεύονται της φυλετικές και ταξικές διαφορές.
Εν κατακλείδι, ο Bogdan Teodorescu, παραθέτει ένα πολιτικό μυθιστόρημα μυστηρίου, το οποίο διαφέρει αρκετά συγγραφικά από τη συνηθισμένη γραφή αυτού του είδους. Η βαρύτητα του έργου βρίσκεται όπως είναι αναμενόμενο, στο πώς το εκάστοτε πολιτικό σύστημα προσπαθεί να εκμεταλλευτεί τόσο τις φυλετικές όσο και τις κοινωνικές διαφορές προς όφελός του. Το γεγονός αυτό κάνει Το Στιλέτο ένα πολύ ενδιαφέρον βιβλίο, μέσα από το οποίο μπορούν να παραλληλιστούν πολλές αντίστοιχες καταστάσεις που συμβαίνουν και σε άλλα κράτη, με πρώτο και καλύτερο την Ελλάδα του σήμερα.
May 21, 2017
Ce livre commence comme un roman policier. La Mouche, un joueur, Tzigane, de bonneteau est égorgé dans les rues de Bucarest. Puis c'est le tour d'un proxénète, Tzigane lui aussi, et d'un trafiquant... La presse s'empare de ces affaires, "Des délinquant roms tués par un mystérieux tueur en série ; Poignard". Mais finalement, l'enquête passe au deuxième plan, on la suit à travers les stratégies politiques et médiatiques pour se focaliser sur un sujet d'actualité : les conflits interethniques.
J'ai beaucoup aimé le choix des points de vue dans ce livre qui, pour moi, lui donnent toute son originalité. L'Etat roumain fait des choix, pas souvent les bons, ils sont dans une situation incontrôlable, qui se révélera toujours mauvaise pour eux quelles que soient leurs décisions. A l'aube de nouvelles élections présidentielles, les politiciens au pouvoir se retrouvent avec des conflits intérieurs et extérieurs, incapables de calmer les choses et tentant de ne pas perdre trop de votes alors que la situation est chaotique. D'un autre côté, la presse crie au complot, envenime la situation qui est déjà loin d'en avoir besoin, attisant la rage de la population roumaine contre les minorités roms. Et le lecteur se retrouve emporté de ce tourbillon de folie et de manipulation, où un fait divers est devenu un enjeu politique majeur, où une bataille politique se règle à coups de communication, et où la guerre civile n'est pas bien loin...
D'une écriture mordante avec un humour corrosif, Bogdan Teodorescu nous présente une Roumanie à travers ses échanges politiques, médiatiques et policiers.
J'ai beaucoup aimé le choix des points de vue dans ce livre qui, pour moi, lui donnent toute son originalité. L'Etat roumain fait des choix, pas souvent les bons, ils sont dans une situation incontrôlable, qui se révélera toujours mauvaise pour eux quelles que soient leurs décisions. A l'aube de nouvelles élections présidentielles, les politiciens au pouvoir se retrouvent avec des conflits intérieurs et extérieurs, incapables de calmer les choses et tentant de ne pas perdre trop de votes alors que la situation est chaotique. D'un autre côté, la presse crie au complot, envenime la situation qui est déjà loin d'en avoir besoin, attisant la rage de la population roumaine contre les minorités roms. Et le lecteur se retrouve emporté de ce tourbillon de folie et de manipulation, où un fait divers est devenu un enjeu politique majeur, où une bataille politique se règle à coups de communication, et où la guerre civile n'est pas bien loin...
D'une écriture mordante avec un humour corrosif, Bogdan Teodorescu nous présente une Roumanie à travers ses échanges politiques, médiatiques et policiers.
May 22, 2021
Het verhaal begint als een heel klassieke politiethriller volledig in de stijl van Maigret (Simenon): De ene na de andere delinquente Roma wordt in Boekarest om het leven gebracht... maar dan evolueert het relaas heel snel naar een exposé over politieke en mediatieke corruptie, vriendjespolitiek, leugenpaleistoestanden en ga zo maar door.
Op 1/3de van het boek gekomen, vraag je je als lezer toch wel af wat er nu nog wel verhaald kan worden... maar de schrijver gaat door op zijn elan. Aan de hand van perscommuniqués, televisie- en radio-uitzendingen, verslagen van vergaderingen, interviews, privégesprekken, doorspekt met verdere gebeurtenissen in de stad, krijgen we een beeld van Roemenië aan de eeuwwisseling met politieke onrust en de dreiging van een interetnische burgeroorlog.
Maar de inhoud van dit alles overstijgt Roemenië... het wordt een metafoor van politiek op internationaal vlak, de nefaste rol van nationalismen, racisme, vreemdelingenhaat, rechts extremisme, de Europese Unie, de NATO... tot de bestorming van het Capitool in de USA toe.
En hoe zit dat met de seriemoordenaar? Tja, om dat te weten zal je het boek moeten lezen.
Maar het boek heeft bij mij ook een interesse opgewekt voor de Romazigeuners, een volk waar ik meer over en van wil lezen.
Op 1/3de van het boek gekomen, vraag je je als lezer toch wel af wat er nu nog wel verhaald kan worden... maar de schrijver gaat door op zijn elan. Aan de hand van perscommuniqués, televisie- en radio-uitzendingen, verslagen van vergaderingen, interviews, privégesprekken, doorspekt met verdere gebeurtenissen in de stad, krijgen we een beeld van Roemenië aan de eeuwwisseling met politieke onrust en de dreiging van een interetnische burgeroorlog.
Maar de inhoud van dit alles overstijgt Roemenië... het wordt een metafoor van politiek op internationaal vlak, de nefaste rol van nationalismen, racisme, vreemdelingenhaat, rechts extremisme, de Europese Unie, de NATO... tot de bestorming van het Capitool in de USA toe.
En hoe zit dat met de seriemoordenaar? Tja, om dat te weten zal je het boek moeten lezen.
Maar het boek heeft bij mij ook een interesse opgewekt voor de Romazigeuners, een volk waar ik meer over en van wil lezen.
July 27, 2020
Ενδιαφέρον ως θέμα/στη σύλληψή του αλλά στην απόδοσή του είναι σαν να διαβάζουμε αποδελτίωση εφημερίδας ή εκπομπών, δεν υπάρχουν συγκεκριμένοι κεντρικοί χαρακτήρες, η υπόθεση περιστρέφεται γύρω από τις ενέργειες που κάνει η πολιτική σκηνή της Ρουμανίας στο να συλλάβει το δολοφόνο των Ρομά με το όνομα "Στιλέτο". Ενδιαφέρουσες όμως οι πληροφορίες για την κοινωνική διαστρωμάτωση της Ρουμανίας και τον αγώνα που κάνει εναντίον της διαφθοράς δίνοντας λόγο στην Ε.Ε., κάτι που θυμίζει την Ελλάδα κατά τη διαχρονική της σχέση πρότερως με Ε.Ο.Κ. και κατόπιν με την Ε.Ε.
January 11, 2025
3,5*
Πρώτη γνωριμία με τον συγγραφέα και πρώτη γνωριμία με την ρουμάνικη λογοτεχνία. Ένα άκρως πολιτικό νουάρ και όχι αστυνομικό όπως περίμενα όταν ξεκίνησα την ανάγνωση του. Το θέμα του μου τράβηξε το ενδιαφέρον μιας και εμείς σαν χώρα έχουμε το ίδιο πρόβλημα εγκληματικότητας όσον αφορά τους Ρομά.
Γενικά νομίζω ότι αν κάτι ανάλογο γινόταν στην Ελλάδα θα είχαμε ακριβώς το ίδιο ξεκατίνιασμα και μου φάνηκε πολύ οικείο. Θα ήθελα όμως και λίγη αστυνομική πλοκή και λίγη έρευνα για τον δολοφόνο. Δεν την βρήκα πουθενά. Στο φινάλε έμεινα με την απορία.
Πρώτη γνωριμία με τον συγγραφέα και πρώτη γνωριμία με την ρουμάνικη λογοτεχνία. Ένα άκρως πολιτικό νουάρ και όχι αστυνομικό όπως περίμενα όταν ξεκίνησα την ανάγνωση του. Το θέμα του μου τράβηξε το ενδιαφέρον μιας και εμείς σαν χώρα έχουμε το ίδιο πρόβλημα εγκληματικότητας όσον αφορά τους Ρομά.
Γενικά νομίζω ότι αν κάτι ανάλογο γινόταν στην Ελλάδα θα είχαμε ακριβώς το ίδιο ξεκατίνιασμα και μου φάνηκε πολύ οικείο. Θα ήθελα όμως και λίγη αστυνομική πλοκή και λίγη έρευνα για τον δολοφόνο. Δεν την βρήκα πουθενά. Στο φινάλε έμεινα με την απορία.
February 26, 2022
{...}Ο Μπογκντάν Τεοντορέσκου, μεταξύ άλλων δημοσιογράφος και υπουργός τύπου για μικρό διάστημα, σκιαγραφεί την μετασιοσαλιστική ρουμάνικη κοινωνία με σαφήνεια και λεπτομέρεια και δίνει τροφή για πολλή σκέψη με ένα πολυεπίπεδο και εξαιρετικά ενδιαφέρον ανάγνωσμα.{https://inthebooklight.gr/2022/02/26/...}
May 22, 2020
Sword, translated from Romanian by Marina Sofia and published by the brand new publishing house Corylus Books, is an innovative political thriller set in modern day Romania.
At the very beginning of the novel, we are introduced to the mysterious killer who appears to only target the criminals of Bucharest that are of Roma descent. He kills them in one blow using a sword, thus gaining the nickname Sword by the media, who are fast to spread the news (and subsequent panic) about the killer to the wider public.
With the police having trouble finding any clues as to the killer’s identity and whereabouts, and with the media and public putting the blame on the current government, the Sword case quickly spirals out of control. The public opinion about the killer seems to be divided, thus giving birth to an array of political and racial issues as well.
The premise of Teodorescu’s novel sounds utterly fascinating, especially for fans of crime/thriller novels. Although the Roma criminal killings are at the core of the novel’s plot, there is much more emphasis on the political side of the story and how the politicians and journalists are handling and effected by this case. Teodorescu’s clear and concise prose (aided by the excellent translation in English) along with the short chapters that present alternate points of view create a fast paced narrative that keeps the reader at the edge of their seats, longing to know how this mess is going to be resolved.
Although the political figures and the journalists are characters that appear frequently in the narrative, I believe there is no actual main character in this novel. The government, the police and the media are all on the lookout for the elusive Sword killer, while also trying to face the racist outbreaks regarding the Roma community, as well as the general outrage and distaste of the public about the way this case is handled. The Sword killings, then, seem to threaten much more than the public safety, as political interests are also at stake.
I really enjoy books that are not afraid to tackle sensitive topics that are not frequently touched upon, especially when they are interspersed with a gripping and fast-paced plot, and this is exactly what Sword did for me. Teodorescu managed to create a political noir that reads like the Romanian version of House of Cards if a mysterious killer was introduced in the plot. The Roma community is a difficult issue for many South European countries and I really liked the way the author brought this topic into his plot and used it to construct a solid thriller with political implications that seems to essentially be a depiction of the tumultuous state of his country (even though there is no killer on the loose in real life).
I had never read any Romanian literature before, and I’m very glad that Sword was my introduction to it. I will certainly be looking forward to reading more titles by Corylus Books as well, as I think it’s really important to support new publishers who are trying to bring something new to the English-speaking bookish world.
A copy of this book was very kindly provided to me by the publisher, Corylus Books.
You can also read my review over at The Literary Sisters.
At the very beginning of the novel, we are introduced to the mysterious killer who appears to only target the criminals of Bucharest that are of Roma descent. He kills them in one blow using a sword, thus gaining the nickname Sword by the media, who are fast to spread the news (and subsequent panic) about the killer to the wider public.
With the police having trouble finding any clues as to the killer’s identity and whereabouts, and with the media and public putting the blame on the current government, the Sword case quickly spirals out of control. The public opinion about the killer seems to be divided, thus giving birth to an array of political and racial issues as well.
The premise of Teodorescu’s novel sounds utterly fascinating, especially for fans of crime/thriller novels. Although the Roma criminal killings are at the core of the novel’s plot, there is much more emphasis on the political side of the story and how the politicians and journalists are handling and effected by this case. Teodorescu’s clear and concise prose (aided by the excellent translation in English) along with the short chapters that present alternate points of view create a fast paced narrative that keeps the reader at the edge of their seats, longing to know how this mess is going to be resolved.
Although the political figures and the journalists are characters that appear frequently in the narrative, I believe there is no actual main character in this novel. The government, the police and the media are all on the lookout for the elusive Sword killer, while also trying to face the racist outbreaks regarding the Roma community, as well as the general outrage and distaste of the public about the way this case is handled. The Sword killings, then, seem to threaten much more than the public safety, as political interests are also at stake.
I really enjoy books that are not afraid to tackle sensitive topics that are not frequently touched upon, especially when they are interspersed with a gripping and fast-paced plot, and this is exactly what Sword did for me. Teodorescu managed to create a political noir that reads like the Romanian version of House of Cards if a mysterious killer was introduced in the plot. The Roma community is a difficult issue for many South European countries and I really liked the way the author brought this topic into his plot and used it to construct a solid thriller with political implications that seems to essentially be a depiction of the tumultuous state of his country (even though there is no killer on the loose in real life).
I had never read any Romanian literature before, and I’m very glad that Sword was my introduction to it. I will certainly be looking forward to reading more titles by Corylus Books as well, as I think it’s really important to support new publishers who are trying to bring something new to the English-speaking bookish world.
A copy of this book was very kindly provided to me by the publisher, Corylus Books.
You can also read my review over at The Literary Sisters.
September 1, 2023
Despite the enormous popularity of crime novels and thrillers, I don't, in general, like reading them and especially not those with gory bodies and serial killers. I think that the popularity of such books feeds into the obsession with crime in our media, and into law and order campaigns in our politics. Truth be told, I bought Bogdan Teodorescu's novel Sword, serial killer and all, because it was translated by Marina Sofia who I count among my bookish virtual friends. I had no intention of reading it, I just wanted to support her publishing venture Corylus Books.
But, browsing my shelves for translations to read during #WITmonth, I came across Sword and (#SmacksForehead completely forgetting that Teodorescu is a notable Romanian author and not Czech at all) I made a mental note of it for Stu's upcoming Czech Lit month, and began reading it one day when marooned in a waiting room.
And discovered that while Sword certainly does feature a serial killer, the novel is actually a cautionary tale about cynicism in politics and the media, and an exposé of systematic prejudice against the Roma, a significant minority in Romania. (About 8%, according to Wikipedia).
As one body after another emerges, it becomes clear that the victims are all Roma. Though they come from the underbelly of society, it is their identity as Roma that unites them, and it is their identity as Roma that emerges as a political issue during the investigation. Memories of Nazi efforts to exterminate the Roma surface in the reader's mind: as with the Holocaust, the attempted genocide of the Roma in Axis-allied Romania took place with tacit and sometimes overt support from the populace though this was achieved through deportations rather than systematic annihilation. So the dismissive attitude and suspicion towards these victims appears to have its origins in longstanding prejudice in Romania.
As elsewhere in the world, the presence of a serial killer invokes media hysteria and political grandstanding as if either of these would contribute to finding the perpetrator. (The same thing happens here during outbursts of gangland internecine murders). Gotcha journalists are out to capitalise on the fear, and politicians don't want to be seen as having any sympathy with gangsters but need to sound firm and purposeful about restoring law and order. In Sword, the victims include small fry like Nehu the Fly working for Slit; the very rich man nicknamed The Bulgarian who knew the right people in government, had paid off the police right up to the highest levels and had a really comfortable lifestyle; and the nameless man working with girls brought over from Moldova and Ukraine.
To read the rest of my review please visit https://anzlitlovers.com/2023/08/30/s...
But, browsing my shelves for translations to read during #WITmonth, I came across Sword and (#SmacksForehead completely forgetting that Teodorescu is a notable Romanian author and not Czech at all) I made a mental note of it for Stu's upcoming Czech Lit month, and began reading it one day when marooned in a waiting room.
And discovered that while Sword certainly does feature a serial killer, the novel is actually a cautionary tale about cynicism in politics and the media, and an exposé of systematic prejudice against the Roma, a significant minority in Romania. (About 8%, according to Wikipedia).
As one body after another emerges, it becomes clear that the victims are all Roma. Though they come from the underbelly of society, it is their identity as Roma that unites them, and it is their identity as Roma that emerges as a political issue during the investigation. Memories of Nazi efforts to exterminate the Roma surface in the reader's mind: as with the Holocaust, the attempted genocide of the Roma in Axis-allied Romania took place with tacit and sometimes overt support from the populace though this was achieved through deportations rather than systematic annihilation. So the dismissive attitude and suspicion towards these victims appears to have its origins in longstanding prejudice in Romania.
As elsewhere in the world, the presence of a serial killer invokes media hysteria and political grandstanding as if either of these would contribute to finding the perpetrator. (The same thing happens here during outbursts of gangland internecine murders). Gotcha journalists are out to capitalise on the fear, and politicians don't want to be seen as having any sympathy with gangsters but need to sound firm and purposeful about restoring law and order. In Sword, the victims include small fry like Nehu the Fly working for Slit; the very rich man nicknamed The Bulgarian who knew the right people in government, had paid off the police right up to the highest levels and had a really comfortable lifestyle; and the nameless man working with girls brought over from Moldova and Ukraine.
To read the rest of my review please visit https://anzlitlovers.com/2023/08/30/s...
May 17, 2020
´(...) close down that radio station immediately´.
This is how sometimes, in some places, things go - bad - with the media: a president requests to the head of the ´Intelligence´ Services to eliminate - technically, in most cases - bothering media reports. A journalist that bothered the current president might be the favorite of the next president. Or, during the same political mandate, one journalist turns into the current president´s darling. Things are relative, eventful and full of ´real´ life, not the boring bureaucracy of the Western world where things are running up and down no matter who won the elections.
Sword by Bogdan Teodorescu recently published into English by Corylus Books translated by Marina Sofia is less about the investigation of finding a mysterious serial killer that is murdering members of the Roma community but about a tragi-comical political bestiary. It looks like the author, himself directly involved into the post-communist political realities in Romania, wanted to write it all, about the corrupt media institutions and their directors hungry to eff some big advertising deals from state institutions in exchange of a truce, about the self-absorbed regional leader bothered by the unplanned skirmished between political parties, about the frictions between different layers of the administrative power and the intelligence secrets.
Instead of finding the killer and starting a legal investigation, all those institutional branches and individuals are becoming erratic, start either using the situation to gain political advantage or to ignite hate against Roma, a group of people that according to the popular opinion is considered detrimental to the country´s image abroad, as if the fact that their representatives were kept away for decades from education and decent life standards was the result of some aliens´ intervention, not the state authorities.
There are a lot of references that make more sense for someone really familiar with the details of the post-communist Romania - including the cast of politicians and journalists Bogdan Teodorescu was inspired by - but otherwise you can easily enjoy the book even if it is just the third or fourth time you´ve heard about a country called Romania.
I´ve welcomed the ending with a gross laugh, like it made so much sense, darlings, because yes, this is how things are down there, what did you expect, to go by the book and really search for the killer? Bucharest Noir at its best, indeed...
Rating: 3.5 stars
Disclaimer: Book offered by the publisher in exchange for an honest review
This is how sometimes, in some places, things go - bad - with the media: a president requests to the head of the ´Intelligence´ Services to eliminate - technically, in most cases - bothering media reports. A journalist that bothered the current president might be the favorite of the next president. Or, during the same political mandate, one journalist turns into the current president´s darling. Things are relative, eventful and full of ´real´ life, not the boring bureaucracy of the Western world where things are running up and down no matter who won the elections.
Sword by Bogdan Teodorescu recently published into English by Corylus Books translated by Marina Sofia is less about the investigation of finding a mysterious serial killer that is murdering members of the Roma community but about a tragi-comical political bestiary. It looks like the author, himself directly involved into the post-communist political realities in Romania, wanted to write it all, about the corrupt media institutions and their directors hungry to eff some big advertising deals from state institutions in exchange of a truce, about the self-absorbed regional leader bothered by the unplanned skirmished between political parties, about the frictions between different layers of the administrative power and the intelligence secrets.
Instead of finding the killer and starting a legal investigation, all those institutional branches and individuals are becoming erratic, start either using the situation to gain political advantage or to ignite hate against Roma, a group of people that according to the popular opinion is considered detrimental to the country´s image abroad, as if the fact that their representatives were kept away for decades from education and decent life standards was the result of some aliens´ intervention, not the state authorities.
There are a lot of references that make more sense for someone really familiar with the details of the post-communist Romania - including the cast of politicians and journalists Bogdan Teodorescu was inspired by - but otherwise you can easily enjoy the book even if it is just the third or fourth time you´ve heard about a country called Romania.
I´ve welcomed the ending with a gross laugh, like it made so much sense, darlings, because yes, this is how things are down there, what did you expect, to go by the book and really search for the killer? Bucharest Noir at its best, indeed...
Rating: 3.5 stars
Disclaimer: Book offered by the publisher in exchange for an honest review
June 15, 2020
A serial killer is roaming Romania, cutting his victims’ throats with a sword. All his victims have two things in common: they’re from the much-maligned Roma community, an ethnic group that has suffered much prejudice and continues to do so, and they’re all criminals. Sword, as the press unimaginatively dub the killer, soon polarises the country, with some ethnic Romanians cheering the killer's targeting of Roma. Soon, the country’s ethnic divisions are laid bare.
This is a novel with a huge cast of characters and a huge span: the narrative stretches from Sword’s victims, through the police who are tasked with catching him, the intelligence agencies who monitor the simmering ethnic tensions and the national security situation that this endangers, politicians of all stripes who use the murders to jostle for position, and finally to the President, Prime Minister and cabinet ministers.
This is much more than a crime novel and is rather a political and social commentary, the Sword killings a catalyst through which to study the rifts that lie at the heart of Romanian society. The author is a former Romanian journalist himself and even served as Acting Minister in the nation’s Department of Public Information from 1996 to 1997. So he knows a thing or two about Romanian society and the picture that he paints is not a complimentary one. Quite the reverse, in fact.
This book is eye-opening as to the sheer corruption that it paints. Journalists and television hosts actively seek pay-offs for portraying politicians in a good light, something that the latter are all too happy to oblige them with. If a media figure then doesn’t pull the line, the politician bitterly complains and seeks revenge. Racial tensions are stark also. While poverty and the sense that since the fall of communism the country has ground to a halt as far as progress and living standards are concerned is palpable.
This book works well on these levels but unfortunately, it tries to say too much and the narrative buckles under the weight of its cast of characters, all of whom struggle for the limelight. As for Sword him or herself? The serial killer disappears from the story for much of the book, and while on one level this doesn’t matter, the serial killings are just the spark to light the touch paper of tension, after all, one can't escape the fact that it’s precisely when the killer leaves the picture that the book starts to drift.
This is a novel with a huge cast of characters and a huge span: the narrative stretches from Sword’s victims, through the police who are tasked with catching him, the intelligence agencies who monitor the simmering ethnic tensions and the national security situation that this endangers, politicians of all stripes who use the murders to jostle for position, and finally to the President, Prime Minister and cabinet ministers.
This is much more than a crime novel and is rather a political and social commentary, the Sword killings a catalyst through which to study the rifts that lie at the heart of Romanian society. The author is a former Romanian journalist himself and even served as Acting Minister in the nation’s Department of Public Information from 1996 to 1997. So he knows a thing or two about Romanian society and the picture that he paints is not a complimentary one. Quite the reverse, in fact.
This book is eye-opening as to the sheer corruption that it paints. Journalists and television hosts actively seek pay-offs for portraying politicians in a good light, something that the latter are all too happy to oblige them with. If a media figure then doesn’t pull the line, the politician bitterly complains and seeks revenge. Racial tensions are stark also. While poverty and the sense that since the fall of communism the country has ground to a halt as far as progress and living standards are concerned is palpable.
This book works well on these levels but unfortunately, it tries to say too much and the narrative buckles under the weight of its cast of characters, all of whom struggle for the limelight. As for Sword him or herself? The serial killer disappears from the story for much of the book, and while on one level this doesn’t matter, the serial killings are just the spark to light the touch paper of tension, after all, one can't escape the fact that it’s precisely when the killer leaves the picture that the book starts to drift.
May 21, 2020
Even though I read a fair amount of translated fiction Sword was the first book that I have read that was originally written in Romanian. I am ashamed to say that Romania is a country I know nothing about.
When it becomes evident that a serial killer is at large, killing gypsies, you would expect the police and the government to be very concerned and trying to stop who was responsible as quickly as possible. But this is not the case. Because the victims are gypsies many have the attitude that the killer is doing the country a favour. That the victims were all criminals and neither them or their families matter. Instead the politicians are more concerned about their image and ratings. Corruption is rife, and a colleague who was best friends one day, would be used as a scapegoat the next. Just to protect their popularity with either their countrymen or the rest of Europe.
The media were just as bad, manipulating the info to suit their needs and to provoke unrest in the country. I’m not a huge fan of either newspaper or television journalism and I believed every word.
The racism and contempt towards others was chilling but accepted as normal. It could have made it difficult to read, but strangely it didn’t. But there were also parts that made me smile, the TVs that were broken but not enough to be replaced, is just one example.
It was a novel that was slightly out of my comfort zone with the politics but it’s one I enjoyed and I would read more books by this author.
When it becomes evident that a serial killer is at large, killing gypsies, you would expect the police and the government to be very concerned and trying to stop who was responsible as quickly as possible. But this is not the case. Because the victims are gypsies many have the attitude that the killer is doing the country a favour. That the victims were all criminals and neither them or their families matter. Instead the politicians are more concerned about their image and ratings. Corruption is rife, and a colleague who was best friends one day, would be used as a scapegoat the next. Just to protect their popularity with either their countrymen or the rest of Europe.
The media were just as bad, manipulating the info to suit their needs and to provoke unrest in the country. I’m not a huge fan of either newspaper or television journalism and I believed every word.
The racism and contempt towards others was chilling but accepted as normal. It could have made it difficult to read, but strangely it didn’t. But there were also parts that made me smile, the TVs that were broken but not enough to be replaced, is just one example.
It was a novel that was slightly out of my comfort zone with the politics but it’s one I enjoyed and I would read more books by this author.
February 8, 2024
I really enjoyed this story. I won't say more about it as others have covered that in their reviews. I particularly enjoyed the political and cultural backdrop to the book. So many books that are in the crime/thriller genre focus on the rather worn trop of the troubled senior officer and their sidekick and I confess that this bores me so I tend not to read them.
This book isn't about the solving of the series of murders. It is about societal tensions, a young democracy, corruption in public life and the fragility of harmony in a particular community. It is about prejuduce and social tensions and the fine line we walk at all times as we try to preserve that in our society. It is a reminder of how much care we need to take of that and of how tolerance and understanding of difference are the prerequisite of success in that respect.
I also want to pay tribute to Marina Sofia, the translator. Far too often translators are not recognised for the skill of their craft. Obviously I'd not read the original work in Romanian so I can't know if it captured all the nuances of the language, but the book read smoothly and as if written in English and that must surely be down to Marina's skill.
Well worth a read.
This book isn't about the solving of the series of murders. It is about societal tensions, a young democracy, corruption in public life and the fragility of harmony in a particular community. It is about prejuduce and social tensions and the fine line we walk at all times as we try to preserve that in our society. It is a reminder of how much care we need to take of that and of how tolerance and understanding of difference are the prerequisite of success in that respect.
I also want to pay tribute to Marina Sofia, the translator. Far too often translators are not recognised for the skill of their craft. Obviously I'd not read the original work in Romanian so I can't know if it captured all the nuances of the language, but the book read smoothly and as if written in English and that must surely be down to Marina's skill.
Well worth a read.
July 13, 2020
🌟🌟🌟🌟
I guess you have to be from Balkans to fully understand this book. The Sword is criminal thriller without any real suspects, investigation, witnesses or detective willing to jeopardize his career to bring the killer to justice. It’s a story about modern Balkan state, full of scars from her heavy past, tragic fates and uncertain future dependent on West. Ideal for corrupted politicians, bribable journalists and pliable people. Where truth and reality is created in small closed circles and broadcast it via gigantic media machinery. I lived most of my life in such environment. And still am. So I totally sympathize with the people from Teodorescu’s book. Ordinary, little people, easily manipulated and used by those who only want more power.
I would like to thank the NetGalley and Corylus books for providing me ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I guess you have to be from Balkans to fully understand this book. The Sword is criminal thriller without any real suspects, investigation, witnesses or detective willing to jeopardize his career to bring the killer to justice. It’s a story about modern Balkan state, full of scars from her heavy past, tragic fates and uncertain future dependent on West. Ideal for corrupted politicians, bribable journalists and pliable people. Where truth and reality is created in small closed circles and broadcast it via gigantic media machinery. I lived most of my life in such environment. And still am. So I totally sympathize with the people from Teodorescu’s book. Ordinary, little people, easily manipulated and used by those who only want more power.
I would like to thank the NetGalley and Corylus books for providing me ARC in exchange for my honest review.
September 4, 2021
This novel is not a thriller, despite the fact that it is presented in this way (perhaps to ensure greater sales success) and despite the fact that the whole story is based on the exploits of a murderer. A murderer of whom nothing is known, whose motives are not known except that he kills ethnic Roma linked to crime, and who will never be caught. The novel, on the other hand, is an accurate description of the political dance between the ruling party and the opposition - in this case in Romania, but with many similarities to what happens all over the world - when some heinous event involving minorities occurs. Interesting, but at some point the attempt to keep up the pretence that this is a thriller becomes tedious.
May 9, 2020
I knew absolutely nothing about Romanian politics before reading this novel and, whilst i'm definitely not an expert, it's ignited an interest in a system that doesn't really get noticed much. This is a crime novel but written in a style that is more synonymous with a newspaper than what I would call a traditional Western crime novel - took a bit of getting used to. I enjoyed this though, a crime novel that highlights social tensions rather than a 'unique' serial killer and the detective looking for them. In all, a good read, a little heavy at times but, if you're looking crime in a novel setting then this is a good shout.
May 9, 2020
I knew absolutely nothing about Romanian politics before reading this novel and, whilst i'm definitely not an expert, it's ignited an interest in a system that doesn't really get noticed much. This is a crime novel but written in a style that is more synonymous with a newspaper than what I would call a traditional Western crime novel - took a bit of getting used to. I enjoyed this though, a crime novel that highlights social tensions rather than a 'unique' serial killer and the detective looking for them. In all, a good read, a little heavy at times but, if you're looking crime in a novel setting then this is a good shout.
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