The Faraway Mountains
Radu Guiasu
(Author)
Description
The first part of this novel follows the adventures of three young friends during a memorable last mountain climbing trip to a remote area of a country under the control of a ruthless authoritarian regime. During their journey, the young men have to cope with bear encounters, venomous adders, colorful locals, storms, dangerous climbs, flooded caves, and other challenges, as the main purpose of their trip is gradually revealed.
A second story, intertwined with the first one, focuses on a brilliant young pianist and his ill-fated quest for freedom. Urban life, in the dreary capital where the young men regularly reside, is the focus of the second part of the novel, when the friends begin to go their own separate ways and come to terms with their very different future prospects. The challenges of life in the capital, which include run-ins with feral dog packs and the secret police, are very different than those faced in the mountains, but not less dangerous. Ultimately, this is a book about friendship, the noble, irreverent and indomitable aspects of the human condition, as well as a dark chapter in recent human history, and the various ways in which different people cope with difficult and unfair conditions.
It is an often hilarious and sometimes heartbreaking exploration of the absurdities of life under an increasingly erratic dictatorship which is gradually losing its grip on the people it could never fully control.
Product Details
| Publisher | Histria Fiction |
| Publish Date | November 07, 2023 |
| Pages | 240 |
| Language | English |
| Type |  Hardback |
| EAN/UPC | 9781592113170 |
| Dimensions | 9.2 X 6.4 X 0.6 inches | 0.9 pounds |
About the Author
Radu Guiasu was born and raised in Bucharest, Romania during the time of the Communist dictatorship led by Nicolae Ceausescu. He moved to Canada at the age of 18, following his high school graduation. Today he is a biologist and an award-winning tenured Associate Professor in the Biology Program at Glendon College, York University in Toronto.
Reviews
"The Faraway Mountains is thought-provoking not only on communism as a system of governance but also on our responsibilities in society."--Frank Mutuma?, Readers' Favorite
"A thought-provoking novel that vividly depicts the complexities of resistance, while celebrating the enduring spirit of solidarity, self-expression, and the unwavering quest for freedom."--The Prairies Book Review
"An excellent blend of humor and poignancy, Guiasu's latest novel examines the absurdities of life under a chaotic dictatorship that is gradually losing its grip on an ungovernable populace. Humor and irony enhance the narrative, making it both engaging and insightful. A brilliant story that captures the complexities of resisting authoritarian rule and celebrates the unbreakable resilience of the human spirit."--BookView Review
"An unforgettable trek through the mountains and the realities of a Communist regime. The Faraway Mountains is a masterclass on the intricacies of friendship. Guiaşu's depictions of friendship in this novel are heartwarming and unfair, joyful and sad. Readers should be prepared to feel something. The Faraway Mountains is one of those books you'll be thinking about for a long, long time."--Jaylynn Korrell, Independent Book Review
"Exploring themes of friendship and surviving in a world that is inherently hostile toward you, the book delivers a remarkable insight into the reality of life beyond the Iron Curtain through the eyes of young people who have never seen life outside the painful rule of a dictatorship."--Andy Hutchings?, Readers' Favorite
"Libraries interested in fictionalized autobiographies that present well-ordered modern history with equally well-thought-out presentations of life under dictatorship, as well as those interested in life in Romania, will find The Faraway Mountains a compelling story of hope, survival, and even growth and happiness. The Faraway Mountains is also highly recommendable to book clubs seeking attractive memoirs that raise all kinds of questions about the connections between political and personal choice, and transformation."--Midwest Book Review
"Radu Guiașu's The Faraway Mountains melds the themes of friendship, freedom, and the haunting shadows of life under a repressive regime to deliver a spellbinding experience for readers. The characters are richly drawn, embodying different facets of resilience and brokenness. The setting plays a critical role in shaping the narrative. Radu Guiașu has delivered a philosophical tale that can be read as an adventure and an allegory of life -- clearly plotted and hauntingly mesmerizing."--Matthew Novak, The Book Commentary
"Three friends travel to The Faraway Mountains before one of them escapes the oppressive regime of Romania and begins life in the West. While Guiaşu is able to find humor in many of these situations, I can't even imagine how hard it was to grow up in a communist country. In The Faraway Mountains, you will also see the power of friendship at play and how we can withstand even the hardest of times when we have close friends. Take the time to broaden your horizons; you won't regret it."--Christina Boswell?, Manhattan Book Review
A story of friendship, connection, and solidarity, The Faraway Mountains by Radu Guiaşu is a moving recollection of life during the Communist era in Eastern Europe. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in history, particularly communism in Europe."--Theresa Kadair?, Los Angeles Book Review
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