My Father's Orchards

My Father’s Orchards tells a previously untold story of a Romanian family caught in the crossfire between Nazi Germany and Soviet Russia during World War II, further subjected to the post-war Communist dictatorships. This historical novel and family saga intertwines the shimmering reality of otherworldly beings and events, creating a unique and unforgettable narrative.

The story is framed by a daughter's return to her father's family home and resplendent orchards in the Romanian province of Moldavia. The historical tapestry of the novel is relentlessly torn by otherworldly characters who blend seamlessly with realistic figures, directing the plot in unpredictable ways.

Orchestrated as a Bildungsroman, the novel traces the complex destiny of the Angelescu family and the tragic fates of twin sisters Zoe and Carolina, who found refuge from the Nazis in their father’s house. It is also an immigrant story told in two voices: that of the father, Florin, and his daughter, Corina, who returns to her father's native town after decades of living in the United States to reconstruct the puzzle of her family's life journey.

The novel's exploration of political oppression, violence, and displacement is profoundly relevant to our present times, marked by turbulent immigrant realities and the ominous threats of totalitarianism and genocidal wars. Yet, amidst the violent realities depicted in the story, there remains a luminous thread of hope, fierce love, and belief in the power of remembrance that connects the characters and ultimately brings them solace and closure.