About the Book
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A dark chapter in recent human history.
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.
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.
What others are saying about the book
★★★★★ 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. The majestic yet treacherous Romanian mountains become a sanctuary and prison, highlighting the dichotomy of freedom and entrapment. The wilderness is steeped in a haunting beauty that captivates the characters, stirring memories and dreams of a fully-lived life—something stifled by communist rule. 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
★★★★★ The Faraway Mountains by Radu Guiaşu is a compelling blend of autobiographical fiction that draws the reader deep into the author’s experiences growing up under the shadow of Romania’s communist regime. Through a rich tapestry of interwoven narratives, Guiaşu vividly captures the complexities of everyday life in this challenging period, detailing how families, friends, and individuals grappled with the constraints and absurdities imposed by the system as they pursued careers, formed relationships, and simply sought to live.
One of the novel’s defining aspects is Guiaşu’s deep love of nature and the rugged beauty of the Romanian mountains, which becomes a central element. Guiaşu’s storytelling is both immersive and reflective. His vivid prose conveys the harsh realities of life under a communist regime, offering readers a rare window into the struggles of ordinary people. The narrative balances humor and truth with a wry and understated comedic tone that highlights the absurdities of daily life, secret police surveillance, food shortages, and the clandestine enjoyment of Western music like the Beatles. These moments of humor underscore the resilience of the human spirit amidst adversity and offer levity and insight.
Through evocative descriptions, the author transports readers into a different time and place, making the mountains not just a setting but a metaphor for freedom. The Faraway Mountains is a tribute to the power of true friendship and the bonds that endure even in the most oppressive circumstances. This book is a beautifully written, thought-provoking work that offers a rare and personal perspective on life during a tumultuous historical period." -Literary Titan
★★★★★ 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
★★★★★ 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
★★★★★ The Faraway Mountains was written 34 years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, allowing humor to become a perfect 'aide memoire' through classic jokes from that period, absurd situations, and an enchanting collection of descriptive vignettes that absorb and delight." ─Vlad Bina, Readers' Favorite
★★★★★ Author Radu Cornel Guiaşu has a lot to offer readers in this highly immersive tale of the search for freedom, identity, and meaning, and he puts a lot of his own personal experience, culture, and attitude into the poignancy which we find as the plot is gradually revealed." ─K.C. Finn, Readers' Favorite
The book is a rare insight into ordinary life under communism in Europe at the end of the 20th C, and is thus a welcome contribution to a better understanding of that nefarious chapter in recent history. Set against the dramatic beauty of the country and the depravity of its communist regime, it is an interesting take on the zeitgeist of the early 80s Romania. Part bildungsroman, it follows the lives of friends intertwined, through a selection of snippets from high school to their last hike in the proverbial mountains – weary suds in the system’s cauldron.
There are exquisitely detailed depictions of the wondrous landscapes and culinary delights in proletarian tavernas, and bear stories around campfire, amid vivid sketches of nature. I particularly enjoyed the brief incursions into Dacian mythology." ─George Susanu, Readers' Favorite
★★★★ Radu Guiaşu has based the essence of this book on his life and from that perspective, it does change how I view it overall. From a literary standpoint, the writing is very simple. It is something of a series of vignettes that tie these people together in hardship and friendship, but we do know Alex is leaving from its near onset. And this is where the author's journey comes in because this then makes the book a legacy piece for his family, and I have no doubt they will treasure it for generations to come." ─Jamie Michele, Readers' Favorite
★★★★ In a well-crafted adventure story, the reader is given a glimpse into how the soul continues to be free despite what the body must adhere to on the outside." ─Bil Howard, Readers' Favorite
In Radu Cornel Guiaşu’s historical novel The Faraway Mountains, men discuss life under their harsh authoritarian government over the course of a perilous hike. Gabriel disappeared weeks ago, prompting Victor, Alex, and Dan to gear up and follow his trail into the mountains that cast their shadow over their oppressed city. In the stream-of-consciousness narration, events prompt memories. Gabriel’s disappearance is less of a mystery than it is reflective of the harsh reality that Victor, Alex, and Dan must come to terms with.
People living beneath a communist regime rebel in small ways in The Faraway Mountains, a provocative historical novel." ─Foreword Clarion Reviews
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. The stream-of-consciousness narration immerses readers in the characters’ thoughts and emotions, reflecting the chaotic nature of human consciousness. This style reveals how their hike triggers memories and reflections, enriching their portrayal and offering insights into Gabriel’s final moments. The absurdities of life under a totalitarian regime are exposed through the characters’ experiences and a satirical critique of education and societal norms. Humor and irony enhance the narrative, making it both engaging and insightful. Ultimately, the novel highlights the regime’s vulnerabilities through the characters’ introspections and dialogues. |
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This novel has the potential to satisfy many types of readers. It's a blend of tragedy, mystery, adventure, and humor, historically accurate, and a great teaching tool for those who wondered what life was really like in communist Romania." ─Deviant Quill Reviews
Sharp, elegantly complex, and compulsively readable…
In Guiaşu’s intriguing historical novel, a treacherous hike through the mountains serves as the backdrop for men grappling with life under a harsh authoritarian regime. Guiaşu’s writing blends intellectual depth, emotional resonance, and artistic excellence, captivating readers with its portrayal of the characters’ struggles and triumphs. His straightforward prose effectively conveys complex ideas and themes, making political and social commentary accessible. The story explores philosophical inquiries and invites introspection on personal conflicts and societal issues. Satire and humor provide levity and critique political systems, while vivid imagery and rhythmic language deeply immerse readers in the setting. The stream-of-consciousness narrative offers intimate access to the characters’ inner turmoil, creating a deeper connection with their experiences. By presenting thoughts in a non-linear structure, the narrative mirrors the natural flow of human consciousness, capturing disorientation and emotional turbulence with striking authenticity. Guiaşu’s characterization is outstanding.
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 unforgettable trek through the mountains and the realities of a Communist regime.
As a last hurrah before their life paths change forever, three men embark on an ultimate hiking experience. Part One of this novel is filled with beautiful nature writing and engaging dialogue between the men. Reader empathy abounds in this book. You’ll be shocked at all of the ways, including the little ones, that the men are stripped of their freedom. While the book is a work of fiction, the realities of the experience are portrayed authentically and palpably.
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
The Faraway Mountains by Radu Guiaşu is a fascinating blend of fiction and autobiography that brings to light the restrictive nature of the Communist Era in Romania and throughout the Eastern European Bloc. |
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The Faraway Mountains is a novel about friendships, survival, and life under the thrall of a ruthless dictator. While readers may anticipate darkness in such a scenario, one of the surprises of this story lies in how light emerges even from political repression. One illustration involves three young friends who embark on a mountain-climbing expedition.
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." -D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review
The Faraway Mountains by Radu Guiaşu is a compelling blend of autobiographical fiction that draws the reader deep into the author’s experiences growing up under the shadow of Romania’s communist regime. Through a rich tapestry of interwoven narratives, Guiaşu vividly captures the complexities of everyday life in this challenging period, detailing how families, friends, and individuals grappled with the constraints and absurdities imposed by the system as they pursued careers, formed relationships, and simply sought to live.
Guiaşu’s storytelling is both immersive and reflective. His vivid prose conveys the harsh realities of life under a communist regime, offering readers a rare window into the struggles of ordinary people. The narrative balances humor and truth with a wry and understated comedic tone that highlights the absurdities of daily life, secret police surveillance, food shortages, and the clandestine enjoyment of Western music like the Beatles. These moments of humor underscore the resilience of the human spirit amidst adversity and offer levity and insight. Through evocative descriptions, the author transports readers into a different time and place, making the mountains not just a setting but a metaphor for freedom.
The Faraway Mountains is a tribute to the power of true friendship and the bonds that endure even in the most oppressive circumstances. This book is a beautifully written, thought-provoking work that offers a rare and personal perspective on life during a tumultuous historical period." --Thomas Anderson, Literary Titan
A remarkable piece of highly enjoyable reading, and, at the same time, an eye-opener for many of those unacquainted with life in Eastern Europe during communism." —Dr. Demetrio Boltovskoy, a Senior Researcher at the University of Buenos Aires.
A quirky account of four young compadres, doing their best to resist a crushing communist system with resilience and cynical humor." —Dr. Martin Schlaepfer, a Senior Lecturer at the University of Geneva.
The novel is a window into the functioning of a Communist state and the ways people found to survive its arcane and illogical way of life. It is a celebration of the endurance of the human spirit in the face of dictatorship; it is a gripping human story." —Professor Emeritus Stanislav J. Kirschbaum, Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, author of A history of Slovakia: the struggle for survival, and professor at York University.
Guiaşu addresses his characters’ yearning and their complex feelings about their fates with great care." ─Publishers Weekly
★★★★ 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. Following the stories of friends Alex, Gabriel, Victor, and Dan, readers are given a window into the harsh realities of urban life under an oppressive regime, one full of hardship, lies, and scarcity. Overall, this book does an excellent job of discussing life under communism. Readers not only gain perspective on the daily struggles of someone living under a regime but also the grim challenge of trying to leave. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in history, particularly communism in Europe." ─Theresa Kadair, Los Angeles Book Review
★★★★.5 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. Some of these same stories appear in Guiaşu’s other work, A Good Day and Other (Mostly) Humorous Stories and Lists, but in a more light-hearted way. I highly recommend that you check out both works as one will bring you joy and the other will open your eyes to a different way of life and the endurance of the human spirit. 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
