Books for the soul that teach and delight
Anișoara Laura Mustețiu, The Price of Honor (Romanian Australian Book Club, Sydney, Australia, 2023)
Context:
This is the second book by Anisoara Laura Mustetiu that I’ve read this year—unlike the first, which felt infused with spring, this one carries the glow of an autumnal read. I make the same confession as with FRAGMENT OF A WOMAN’s LIFE—I do not know the author personally, only through the stroke of a pen that, when sent virtually, deepens emotions. I have not read the Foreword written by Aurelia Rînjea, professor and editorial advisor, to eliminate any trace of subjectivity. And yet—what binds us together?
About the Book:
A lyrical prose has captivated me lately, and you might wonder—”Why do I stand still?”
Because I look toward a particular angle—one that leads to the Bell Tower of the Timișoara Cathedral (where the author was born). It is a place often visited—not just by me, but by many passersby—because there, the park is alive. And for me, the city carries the fragrance of roses, which drifts toward a story with a ballad-like essence, occasionally intersecting with ours.
Over the years, I have read countless pages of prose in many different forms. This volume bears a subtitle:
“A True Story,” and its structure (190 pages) includes twenty chapters, along with the graphic design of the cover, a few ink sketches as interior illustrations—drawn by the author—and a “About the Author” section, containing biographical notes on personality and interests.
The chapter titles are intriguing—some feature personal names (Măriuca—the main character, Elena, Anton of Șurianu, The Teacher from Valea Sânzâienelor); others reflect toponyms (Valea Sânzâienelor, The Walnut in the Garden), while others carry the weight of actions worthy of life itself—stories that surpass cinema! A “film” that has now spanned over half a century.
A Book That Moved Me Deeply—and throughout the reading, I felt an urge to plead:
“Hold my hand…”
A theme rooted in the 1970s, a time when honor came at a steep price! The characters—few in number—bear common names: Măriuca, Anton of Șurianu, Elena, Nana Floarea, Ela, the Priest, the Master, among others. They are all distinct individuals, treated as such by the author. Yet, we also have the Villagers/The Crowd—a character in itself, playing the role of judge.
Ionuț is not a transient figure but a central character, carefully crafted by the author. He is the one who, out of pure love, will wall in Ana! Today’s Anișoara, who—seeking to redeem The Price of Honor set by Măriuca—somewhat avenges a mindset difficult to comprehend from that era. A fluid, concise narrative takes form, binding together a book written with great dignity.
The scenes—ones that might have seemed taboo for Slavici or Rebreanu—are beautifully interwoven with love and an idyllic simplicity, giving the true stories the impression of a cinematic screen glowing with clarity. As the narrative unfolds, we view its reflections as parallel mirrors—silent yet unyielding. The Nonverbal Beings—the Walnut Tree and the Dog—become supporting characters in the objective storytelling, silently participating in the action.
Valea Sânzâienelor provides the picturesque beauty that gives grandeur to the pages.
A story within another story! A true love story, one that always comes at a price—an expensive one! The ineffable element of this book lies in its reality and objectivity. The narrative is woven into all the lyrical moments of its subject matter, blending the qualities of short prose and more.
One might view it as a small novel with a romantic ballad-like theme, though without the dramatics—because, after all, isn’t it true?
“No one dies from love!”
Anișoara Laura Mustețiu traces a journey through love, tears, and shadows—a story that, in today’s world, where eroticism fills the marketplace and overpowers exoticism, may seem outdated, yet was once considered taboo. This explains the third-person narration, both reflective and imperative, with a uniquely vocative touch (metaphorically speaking).
Anișoara Laura Mustețiu’s writing is personal and easy to read—graceful, with no abrupt shifts.
Since this is prose drawn from reality, it is worth noting certain stylistic techniques used in its expression—themes and symbols that shape, in fragments, the unfolding of the narrative.
The theme of the Wheat Crown represents the weaving of a whole from scattered pieces, a story where the crown both adorns brides and accompanies the dead. The theme of the Dream speaks to a foreseen truth that cannot be stopped. The theme of the Ball evokes the essence of village life, recalling the traditional dances of the past. The theme of the Passing Seasons and Love, fully embraced, stands out as the predominant theme of this new volume.
Several powerful symbols shape the novel. The Symbol of Fate shows no mercy. The Symbol of Life signifies rebirth. The Symbol of the Cry carries pain yet does not wound. The Symbol of the Bell tolls with either force or devastation. The Symbol of the Road, circular in its nature, begins and ends in Valea Sânzâienelor—the valley representing the water that forgives and washes everything away. The Symbol of the Sânzâiene plays a purifying role.
Descriptions also play a central role in shaping the atmosphere of the book. Natural phenomena come to life through phrases such as, “The mist, pale and dense, at times seemed torn from the clouds.” The dog, though silent, participates in the story, as seen in the line, “The dog did not understand her words, but it felt the beating of her heart.” The walnut tree, deeply symbolic, carries traces of childhood with “Măriuca loved the walnut tree. Its thick branches carried, like a talisman, the traces of her childhood steps.”
Dialogue adds richness to the narrative, alternating between innocence, purity, and dignity, giving vitality and depth to the major plotline. The stolen loves, like those of an eighteen-year-old, hold a charm of their own, contradicting spontaneity and making way for an expression of purity—imbued with a lyrical vibration like no other.
In conclusion, this is a great true story. When “The Fruit of Love” becomes the subject of a book, it is a sign of true love. Anișoara Laura Mustețiu convinces through prose that poetry finds its place even in the depths of solitude—where a “Man with a Child” once planted a seed at the Crossroads, a seed that bore The Price of Honor.
Anișoara Laura Mustețiu is a modern writer who, with skill, translates realities into refined and original subjects, flourishing in the ascent of literary creations. She achieves, if you will, an absolute reconciliation with the Self.
A safe journey to the book and honor to the author!
by Prof. Florica R. Cândea, Member of UZPR, Arad
Available on AMAZON
