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art movements, giving his work a notable
artistic grounding and excitement. In addition
to poems, he’s also contributed the cover
artwork for this issue. Additional poems
are by Romanian writers
Claudiu Komartin
,
Corina Bernic
, and
T. O. Bobe
– if you can call
the latter poems. These eclectic pieces give
an account of Mr. Gică, the world’s greatest
barber – and perhaps much else besides.
Doina Ruşti
is one of the most appreciated
women in contemporary Romanian letters.
Her latest novel,
The Phanariot Manuscript
,
previewed here, derives inspiration from
an actual “nizam”, an order given by Prince
Alexandru Moruzi, who wanted a fugitive
valet found in the year 1794. This excerpt
is followed by a bonus short story from the
author.
Mircea Cărtărescu
is a gem of a novelist,