Paul’s review of Children of the Night: The Strange and Epic Story of Modern Romania > Likes and Comments
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Thank you, Paul for painting the details in the historical context. The last few chapters were hard to read because I re-lived parts of my life I thought I dealt with. In any case, reading this book was part of the healing. Coco
Hi Coco, I’m so pleased it was part of the healing. I think it was similarly cathartic for my wife. There were some tough memories to overcome. I do wonder how others have come to terms with what was, in many respects, a collective trauma. Thanks for writing Coco, and sorry for the late reply. Best wishes. Paul
I enjoyed your approach to figures like Codreanu and Pauker. Allows people to see why they are controversial but also why people would follow them.
Hi Casey, I've only just seen this because Goodreads doesn't always notify me of remarks about my books. Im so pleased you enjoyed my approach to some of the more controversial figures in Romania's past. It's a tricky balancing act, because both the two you mention are so impressive in certain respects, and so dangerous in others.
Thank you for writing this book. I learnt a lot about my country's history and the terrible years of communism. In my opinion, the events of the past 80-100 years are still not explained enough in school, so a book like yours is crucial! (Since reading it, I've recommended it to all my friends and acquaintances.)
It was a great choice to start with a chapter about Vlad Tepes! Writing about history is not easy, and sometimes a new perspective can make it interesting for a new audience. I've already recommended your book to some people, mentioning that it starts with Dracula, and they ended up fascinated by Romania. Win-win, I think. :)
Lore wrote: "Thank you for writing this book. I learnt a lot about my country's history and the terrible years of communism. In my opinion, the events of the past 80-100 years are still not explained enough in ..."
past 80-100 years are still not explained enough in ..."
Hi Lore, I've only just seen this. I'm so pleased you liked the book, particularly as you have roots in Romania. It's such a misunderstood country, so rich in history. Thanks for recommending to your friends. Do you still live there? If not, how often do you return?
Paula wrote: "It was a great choice to start with a chapter about Vlad Tepes! Writing about history is not easy, and sometimes a new perspective can make it interesting for a new audience. I've already recommend..."
Thanks for that, starting with Vlad was quite controversial. Some Romanians prefer not to be reminded of the link, but I think they should celebrate him, after all he protected all of Europe from the Ottoman Turks. Amazing guy. It's a good way into Romanian history. I see you are in Poland. I spent some time there publicising another book, Dictatorland, and I loved it.
Paula wrote: "It was a great choice to start with a chapter about Vlad Tepes! Writing about history is not easy, and sometimes a new perspective can make it interesting for a new audience. I've already recommend..."
Thanks for that, starting with Vlad was quite controversial. Some Romanians prefer not to be reminded of the link, but I think they should celebrate him, after all he protected all of Europe from the Ottoman Turks. Amazing guy. It's a good way into Romanian history. I see you are in Poland. I spent some time there publicising another book, Dictatorland, and I loved it
Thanks Patrik, I'm glad you enjoyed the book. Sometimes, writing can feel a bit of a chore, but not for Children of the Night. It was great piecing together a story that had affected my own family.
I was very impressed by a radio interview about a book on Romania, and corruption in the early Reagan State Department. It was a right wing book called Pinstripes and Reds. Are you familiar with it?
I applaud your efforts here, though I don't own your book.
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Coco
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Aug 15, 2022 12:00PM
Thank you, Paul for painting the details in the historical context. The last few chapters were hard to read because I re-lived parts of my life I thought I dealt with. In any case, reading this book was part of the healing. Coco
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Hi Coco, I’m so pleased it was part of the healing. I think it was similarly cathartic for my wife. There were some tough memories to overcome. I do wonder how others have come to terms with what was, in many respects, a collective trauma. Thanks for writing Coco, and sorry for the late reply. Best wishes. Paul
I enjoyed your approach to figures like Codreanu and Pauker. Allows people to see why they are controversial but also why people would follow them.
Hi Casey, I've only just seen this because Goodreads doesn't always notify me of remarks about my books. Im so pleased you enjoyed my approach to some of the more controversial figures in Romania's past. It's a tricky balancing act, because both the two you mention are so impressive in certain respects, and so dangerous in others.
Thank you for writing this book. I learnt a lot about my country's history and the terrible years of communism. In my opinion, the events of the past 80-100 years are still not explained enough in school, so a book like yours is crucial! (Since reading it, I've recommended it to all my friends and acquaintances.)
It was a great choice to start with a chapter about Vlad Tepes! Writing about history is not easy, and sometimes a new perspective can make it interesting for a new audience. I've already recommended your book to some people, mentioning that it starts with Dracula, and they ended up fascinated by Romania. Win-win, I think. :)
Lore wrote: "Thank you for writing this book. I learnt a lot about my country's history and the terrible years of communism. In my opinion, the events of the past 80-100 years are still not explained enough in ..."past 80-100 years are still not explained enough in ..."
Hi Lore, I've only just seen this. I'm so pleased you liked the book, particularly as you have roots in Romania. It's such a misunderstood country, so rich in history. Thanks for recommending to your friends. Do you still live there? If not, how often do you return?
Paula wrote: "It was a great choice to start with a chapter about Vlad Tepes! Writing about history is not easy, and sometimes a new perspective can make it interesting for a new audience. I've already recommend..."Thanks for that, starting with Vlad was quite controversial. Some Romanians prefer not to be reminded of the link, but I think they should celebrate him, after all he protected all of Europe from the Ottoman Turks. Amazing guy. It's a good way into Romanian history. I see you are in Poland. I spent some time there publicising another book, Dictatorland, and I loved it.
Paula wrote: "It was a great choice to start with a chapter about Vlad Tepes! Writing about history is not easy, and sometimes a new perspective can make it interesting for a new audience. I've already recommend..."Thanks for that, starting with Vlad was quite controversial. Some Romanians prefer not to be reminded of the link, but I think they should celebrate him, after all he protected all of Europe from the Ottoman Turks. Amazing guy. It's a good way into Romanian history. I see you are in Poland. I spent some time there publicising another book, Dictatorland, and I loved it
Paul. Your book is really fascinating and well-written. A joy to read!
Thanks Patrik, I'm glad you enjoyed the book. Sometimes, writing can feel a bit of a chore, but not for Children of the Night. It was great piecing together a story that had affected my own family.
I was very impressed by a radio interview about a book on Romania, and corruption in the early Reagan State Department. It was a right wing book called Pinstripes and Reds. Are you familiar with it?I applaud your efforts here, though I don't own your book.
