Together, we can shine a light in dark corners of the past.
Together, we can give history a voice.
Ruta Sepetys
RESEARCH AND SOURCES
The research process for this novel was a global, collaborative effort that spanned many years. That said, any errors found herein are my own.
My Romanian publisher, Epica Publishing House, connected me with people, places, and experiences to bring this story to life. I am forever grateful to Anca Eftime Penescu, Dan Penescu, and Dana Popescu. Anca and Dan spent years working with me on this project. Together with my interpreter, Dana Popescu, they accompanied me throughout many regions of Romania during my research and endured many long days of travel. They all read drafts and answered endless questions. This novel would be impossible without the three of them!
I am extremely indebted to Stejarel N. Olaru. Stejarel is a Romanian historian, political scientist, and bestselling author based in Bucharest. Stejarel is also an expert on the history of intelligence services. He generously informed my research on the Securitate as well as Ceau?escu’s particular brand of communism. Stejarel helped guide my research, arranged many interviews, and introduced me to historian Claudiu Seca?iu, former president of National Council for the Study of Securitate Archives （CNSAS）。 Stejarel answered my many historical questions about the structure and function of the Securitate and its effects on the population, and also acquainted me with the current Securitate archives.
Nicoleta Giurcanu was fourteen at the time of the revolution. On December 21st, she was arrested with her father and little brother and endured the horrors at Station 14, Jilava, and the juvenile facility on Aaron Florian. Nicoleta bravely and generously shared her history with me and spared no detail. She is an ambassador for the unsung heroes of December 21st. Her story, her humanity, and her continued quest for truth and freedom inspire me beyond description and helped shape the scenes of the revolution and the spirit of the young people in the novel.
Maggie Chitoran served as the interpreter for my meeting with Nicoleta and facilitated the interview while patiently navigating my bouts of tears.
Ionel Boyeru was a military captain within a special unit of Romanian paratroopers when he volunteered for a mysterious Christmas Day mission. Unbeknownst to him, he would become one of the three soldiers on the firing squad assigned to execute the Ceau?escus. Ionel traveled a long distance to meet with me and described the complex situation of the military in 1980s Romania, the intensity around the execution, as well as the evolving perceptions during and after the revolution. Ionel’s personal testimony was incredibly informative, honest, and an important reminder that often history is nuanced, complicated, and doesn’t easily fit into defined categories. I am indebted to Ionel for his generosity and perspective.
Paulina Huzau-Hill was an incredible resource and supporter. She went above and beyond to share her family’s very moving story as well as items from her personal family archives. Her perspective made the history very human.
Irina Margareta Nistor is a Romanian translator and film critic. She is also an iconic voice of freedom. During the communist period, Irina secretly dubbed over three thousand movies from the West into Romanian. Through movies, Irina brought the outside world inside of Romania and shared concepts of democracy with Romanian citizens. Irina answered many questions and informed the framework for the use of videos in the novel.
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and Voice of America deserve a novel all their own—and I hope to write one. In countries where freedom of the press does not exist or is restricted by the government, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty provides uncensored news, discussion, and debate. Emil Hurezeanu is a journalist and writer who worked in the Romanian department of Radio Free Europe in Munich from 1983 to 1994. While I was writing the novel, he was serving as the Romanian ambassador to Germany and, despite his incredibly busy schedule, took time to assist my research and thoughtfully answer my long list of questions.
Nadia Com?neci is not only a legendary Olympic gymnast, she is a well of generosity. During our interview, Nadia continually emphasized perspective and the importance of focusing on what average Romanian citizens endured for so many years and their heroic courage while doing so. Her affection and sincere admiration for her fellow Romanians was so moving and highlighted the beautiful bond of the Romanian diaspora worldwide.
I’m very grateful to the elderly residents of Bucharest who welcomed me into their homes. They shared many details, vintage items, and examples that helped me research the structure and layout of the apartment blocks. As I’ve expressed, Romanian generosity is unending.