Customer Reviews

We Wait For You: Unheard Voices from Post-Communist Romania

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I found Annabelle Townson's reminiscences of her service in the Peace Corps in Romania a delightful, touching read. Giving of herself in her senior years is admirable, and her spirit of adventure enviable. The book title, however, foretells her real story; it's not so much about her as about today's Romanians, how they endured the brutality of a cruel dictatorship, and how this marked their lives to this day, the good, the bad and the ugly. What mostly came through for me is how much these almost forgotten people on the fringe of the western world want to be understood, have other people, especially Americans, show an interest in them, and at least acknowledge their existence. Annabelle Townson obviously reached out to them, formed close friendships, listened to (and heard) what they had to say, and clearly touched their hearts, traits not often extended by Americans abroad. Good for her and for the Peace Corps for having had the good sense to send her there.

This book was a refreshing change from the many books I've read about Romania. Typically, books are written about the powerful people ... politicians; military leaders; or great poets, novelists, musicians, or artists. This book expressed the hopes, wishes, and dreams of the average Romanian. Although the sampling of people was few, their stories - at least in a general sense - represent what the real people felt.

My heart went out to those who had seen many of their dreams shattered by the corruption of the powerful people ... having to always lay their hopes on somewhere "outside" and just waiting for their opportunity to escape to another country where life was more humane.

After reading this book, I was ready to sign up with the Peace Corps with an assignment in Romania. And I still might do just that. And I just might buy this book as a gift for some of my family and friends.

For anyone interested in Romania, particularly the poorer non-Transylvania part of the country, you'll enjoy this true story by a warm, enthusiastic Peace Corps volunteer about her experiences there.

I'm still waiting to read the unheard voices from post-communist Romania, even after reading this crappy book. The editing was poor, the price was steep and the perspective was laughable. I came away from reading this book learning nothing interesting about Romania or its population. This book proves that ANYONE can get published. The author did a great disservice to the people she came into contact with by skimming over her interactions with them. Book sucked. End of story.