Romanian Furrow: 'Touches the Very Soul of Rural Romania'

by D.J. Hall, Alan Ogden (Editor)

Romanian Furrow, written in 1933, is an enchanting and evocative chronicle of a journey made by a young Englishman, Donald Hall, to Romania in search of a rural lifestyle that was rapidly disappearing in Western Europe. Hall's account of rural life in Romania—surprisingly much of which has survived today—admirably meets the reading requirements of Green or Eco tourists, a market segment that Romania is investing much of its tourism budget to attract.

Genres: Romania, Nonfiction

192 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2007

About the author

D.J. Hall is professor emeritus of Canadian history at the University of Alberta.

Reviews

[Liz Wager · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful account of travels in rural Romania in 1932 by an author I'd never heard of before but (I learn from the blurb) was probably at school with my grandfather ... although many things have changed, accounts of Romanian hospitality, generosity and wonderful meals chime with my experiences

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an enchanting read having tripped over it looking for books on life in Romania/Transylvania (and yes, I'd read and enjoyed P L-F "Between woods and water" mixing with the Boyar aristocracy).
I'd just returned from hiking in the Apuseni mountains (May 2023) and visiting Cluj and Sibiu and wanted to know more. So amongst other 'history' books was this. I love his writing and how he melds with the rural villagers and sees the positives in their simple and slowly changing lives. He doesn't ever confuse a lack of education with a lack of intelligence.
If you liked this you'll love "Enchanted Sand" (but again I have an interest as I visit Santa Fe NM every couple of years) and if you want to know more about the author then I am currently reading his "The life of a writer" which is autobiographical.
It is evident that DJH was never prepared to play the game and publicise his works. A combination of era, specialisation and even, not Methuen, a bankrupt publisher meant low volumes especially for his travel books which all sold about 2000 on their first editions. He must have had a private income.

Note
D.J Hall is NOT "professor emeritus of Canadian history at the University of Alberta." (there are/were multiple D.J.Hall authors unfortunately).
The title is simply "Romanian Furrow" and was published in 1933.
I don't know why Alan Ogden is listed as editor.

[Chris Wares · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like William Blacker 60 years later, Donald Hall travels east to Romania to discover a simpler life amongst the peasants. He writes about them with affection and in many ways describes a life not that different to the one Blacker describes.

Hall spends time with the Romanians in Oltenia and in the villages near Sibiu and the Saxons as well as some time in Bessarabia. He doesn't waste ink filling in much of the background so I was glad that I had built up quite a good understanding of Romanian history and geography and was able to transliterate some of the place names and untangle some of the descriptions of Romania during the First World War. But his descriptions of the Romanians, their hospitality and their way of life is worth reading

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent account of living, working and travelling through rural Romania in the 1930s. What sets this book apart is the focus on the life of the peasants, with the author living and working in the villages, which makes this a good companion piece for the more aristocratic travels of Patrick Fermor, who made a similar journey at a similar time.

Recommended for anyone with an interest in rural Romania.