Time Shelter - Gheorghi Gospodinov

From the very beginning, I must mention that I am fascinated by Gheorghi Gospodinov’s writing. His rough and yet gentle style, the artistry of the way he chooses the words (a very important role plays the translator who translated this book, like any translator, for that matter, when it comes to translating literature) in order to move you around rooms filled with stimuli for all the senses are just a couple of reasons why I’ll be passionately reading any book signed by this Bulgarian author.

The past as alleviation and not a vessel for all complaints regarding the present is the theme of the novel. If you were to live in a period from the past, which one would you choose? Started as an experiment to alleviate the pains of Alzheimer patients, the past as solution is welcomed by sane people and nations, and one cannot help as spectator (for Gospodinov has a certain gift to make the reader feel like they are inside the narrative) to ponder upon the dilemma.

Even from the very first novel that I read by him, Gheorghi Gospodinov has equipped me with a certitude – there is a magical connection between nations and time clearly visible through literature. Wherever and whenever they might live, the writers seem to be connected through a muse that speaks the same language and manifests more or less similar preoccupations. This idea was even clearer when I read this book by Oscar Wilde and found similar thoughts about the past, what it means to be a writer, the relation between a writer and their characters and many more.

And to convince you to read the book, see below some excerpts from the ‘Time Refuge’:

“Thus, I was to present myself as a writer, a more innocuous profession but for which no identification card is given. “

“Gaustin, the one that I met in flesh and blood only after having created him.”

“To become satiated with a foreign past, just like with the bananas you craved for all your life. The past is not only what happened to you. Sometimes, it is also what you have imagined.”

The Greatest Surprise of the Year

Today I lived a moment similar to those at the Oscar’s. But without the glitters and gown. No pressure, I’ll be keeping the gown, who knows?!, I might need it soon.

I was watching Alexandra’s video and it knocked my socks off to hear my novel ‘The Sewing Club’ mentioned in the category The Greatest Surprise of the Year. If you want to watch the moment, you can find it starting with 4:51 from the video below.

The greatest joy of a writer is to be read. Thank you, Alexandra, for the joy you gave me by reading my novel, and the honor you made me by presenting and recommending my book to other interested readers!

And if you want to watch the video review Alexandra made to the novel, check this video below by starting with minute 3:31.

Book Recommendation

In an article of the Alist magazine, my book is in a top 10 list of books to read during hot weekends. You can read the article in Romanian here.

Jump in the line

 

Change in Work Environments

Somebody asked me about the spark that made me write this book. Injustice, abuse, double standard, fear, working in vain, and many more. But then I pondered on it a little bit and realized that actually it all started because I felt alone faced with the above. And because I felt alone, I mistakenly thought I was the only one that did not abide the general rule, that I was a misfit, and the only one that did not accept or was indignant about certain behaviors or abusive situations.

Talking with people (colleagues, former colleagues, friends, family), I found out that I was not actually alone. And if this should be the only goal of this book, be it that nobody ever feels alone. This book is the voice waiting for others to join in. For nobody can do everything by themselves, and the change we so desperately need in the workplace can only happen if we are many to claim it. And all the stories in the book (from going to interviews, from getting hired, resigning or dismissal) are our stories.

For certain typologies, I have also included some ways to stand your ground because sometimes the way we act to certain behaviors can protect us from negativity, lack of responsibility or even harassment.

And why should I read this book, you may wonder, aren’t there enough crazy people at my workplace already?! Now, I’m supposed to take them with me during my quiet moment of reading?

Well, you should read this book because the sad thing is that you have already brought them into your life, your home, and they have already ruined your peace of mind. Also, they are the ones responsible for you quivering with stress. By reading this book you’ll be able to recognize them and to classify them by typologies, since nothing can be fixed unless it’s defined first.

Read the book and talk about it with your colleagues, friends, and family. Talking about it means finding solutions, and solutions will bring change. And we do need change in the workplace, in general. Only together we can create positive work environments!

What was missing

This is exactly what was missing from the garden. Truly!

Beauty