About
Panaït Istrati was a Romanian writer of French expression, born in Brăila in 1884. From a modest background, he led a wandering life before turning to writing. Encouraged by Romain Rolland, he published his first story in 1923. His work, often autobiographical, depicts the world of outcasts and the humble. After a trip to the USSR, he denounced Stalinist reality in a critical work. Stricken with tuberculosis, he died in Bucharest in 1935.
* 1884-08-10 — † 1935-04-16
Major works
- Kyra Kyralina (1923)novel
- Oncle Anghel (1924)novel
- Codine (1926)novel
- Présentation des Haïdoucs (1925)novel
- Vers l'Autre Flamme (1929)essay
Key milestones
- 1921Attempts suicide in Nice; a letter to Romain Rolland is found on him, leading to their meeting.
- 1927Travels to the USSR, staying sixteen months before returning disillusioned.
- 1935Dies of tuberculosis in Bucharest.
Themes
Wandering life and marginalityCondition of the humbleCritique of Stalinist communismAutobiography and fictionBalkans and Mediterranean
Sources: marxists.org · nytimes.com