TRAIN TO TRIESTE

TRAIN TO TRIESTE follows the deeply moving experiences of Mona Maria Manoliu as she comes of age in 1977 in a village at the foot of the Carpathian Mountains in Ceausescu's Romania. Sensually blending poetic imagery with the sharp contrast of life in an uncertain Communist state, Radulescu captures the heart and soul of a reluctant exile in love with her country. Yelena Shmulenson does justice to this exquisite literary work with an impressive intensity and range of expression. One hears in her heavily accented delivery precise pronunciations, especially phrases and locations in the Romanian language. Shmulenson transitions effortlessly as the story shifts, covering spectacular landscapes, history, old-world traditions, and the difficulties of surviving the Communist regime. An unforgettable odyssey of young love, harsh politics, and enforced exile. A.W. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine [Published: JANUARY 2009]