In an epic tale of identity and the indomitable human spirit, OUT OF THE TRANSYLVANIA NIGHT explores tyranny, freedom, love, success, and the price paid for misaligned dreams. An incredibly powerful memoir.
'I'd grown up in the land of TRANSYLVANIA, homeland to Dracula, Vlad the Impaler, and, worse, the Communist dictator, Nicolae Ceausescu—who turned Romania into a land of gray-clad zombies who never dared to show their individuality, and where neighbors became informants, and the Securitate made people disappear. Daylight empowered the regime to encircle us like starved wolves, and so night had always been the time to steal a bit of freedom. As if bred into our Transylvanian blood, we were like vampires who came to life after sundown. I buried the family heirloom jewels, tucked the flag into my sweater and left my outpost to join the action . . . tonight Ceausescu would die!'
Known for using stand-ins to pose for him, Aura doubts if it was even Ceausescu himself who was killed that night. Nevertheless, when her countrymen topple one of the most draconian regimes in the Soviet bloc, Aura Imbarus tells herself that life post-revolution will be different. But little in the country changes. With two pieces of luggage and a powerful dream, Aura and her new husband flee to America. Through sacrifice and hard work, the couple acquire a home, cars, and travel—but trying to be Americans is much more complicated than they expect. More difficulties set in: the stock market crash takes their savings, house, and cars; thieves steal three centuries' worth of heirloom jewels; and Aura's beloved mother dies.
Aura's marriage crumbles under the stress. Devastated, she asks herself, 'How much of one's life is owed to others?' Tested even further by the vagaries of fate, Aura discovers a startling truth about striking a balance between one's dreams and the sacrifices and compromises that allow for serenity, selfhood, and lasting love. More resolution comes when in 2010, Ceausescu's body is exhumed to answer questions of a cover-up, and Aura can finally lay to rest the haunting mysteries of her past.
Unforgettable! This book gives the pioneer spirit courage and the brave heart bravado.-Adrian Maher, filmmaker, Discovery Channel If you grew up hearing names like Tito, Mao, and Ceauescu but really didn't understand their significance, read this book!-Mark Skidmore, Paramount Pictures A remarkable account erasing a past, but not an identity. Thought-provoking, inspirational-and comforting.-Todd Greenfield, 20th Century Fox Studios This book is sure to find its place in memorial literature of the world. -Beatrice Ungar, editor-in-chief, Hermannstädter Zeitung Out of the Transylvania Night is a compelling and spell-binding story of a fiercely independent young woman growing up at the height of worldwide Communist power and then the rapid fall of the Iron Curtain. We must never forget what her story ultimately teaches.-Sharrie Williams, author, The Maybelline Story-and the Spirited Family Dynasty behind It Under Communism, Aura's family lost its fortune but kept their jewels. Under capitalism, she made a fortune and lost the jewels. And then lost the fortune as well. Such is the paradox found within the pages of this amazing and unforgettable story.-Lindy Hudis, producer, IMPACT Motion Pictures We all have much to learn about freedom; certainly anyone born without it will search until they find it. This is an incredible story about pain, strength, courage, defiance, and healing.-David Haspel, producer Out of the Transylvania Night presents an emotional journey through free and closed societies, revealing how freedom is also found in the self and not only the destination.-Ilie T. Ardelean, founding chairman and president, Romanian-American Professional Network (RAPN) Out of the Transylvania Night is an exciting and truly memorable search personal freedom.-Alexander R. Marmureariu, MD, president and CEO, California Heart and Lung Surgery Center, UCLA Medical Center
