The Accident

If you want a great read this weekend, definitely try “The Accident” by Mihail Sebastian. I was enraptured by the writing and am still dreaming about the main characters. This is one of the best Romanian books (that are translated into English).

Mihail Sebastian (born Iosif Hechter) is a Romanian writer, better known for his journal, which he kept during WWII.

The journal references various antisemitic events and ideas in Romania at the time. Though much less famous, the journal is often compared to that of Anne Frank. However, Mihail Sebastian survived the war and went on to become a writer.

“The Accident” is the first novel I read of him. I loved it so much that I actually went on reading “The Town with Acacia Trees”, which I also definitely recommend.

The Accident – Short Summary

It’s December 18th, 1934. Nora, a 32-year-old French teacher on her way home, has a small accident and is helped by a good young man to get home. He is Paul and, though he talks very little, Nora can find out he is a lawyer and that day is actually his birthday. She convinces him to celebrate with her, but, in the end, he vanishes from her house while she is in the bathroom, without so much as a goodbye.

The next day is the last day of school before winter break for Nora and she decides, on her way, to go to the courthouse to look for Paul. Though she can see he is suffering (indeed, we know Paul is in love with someone else), Nora can also see he needs a companion.

They end up going on winter break together as friends. They travel from Bucharest to Brasov and get to know each other even more. And then, magic happens: Nora teaches Paul how to ski.

His skiing experience changes Paul – it makes him genuinely happy. He forgets all other troubles. Their problems in finding where to sleep, having made no reservations in advance during skiing season, only help in bringing them closer together.

Will Paul forget his love for Ann? Will Paul and Nora actually end up together? I feel the end doesn’t even matter (but read the book and find out, of course!).

Characters

Nora is quite rational and independent. I loved to see how everything brings out her other side as well — her femininity, her maternal instincts. She is a complex character, her desires are not overtly shown, even though the book tells the story from her point of view as well.

Paul is actually a bit disappointing as a male character. He is insecure, nostalgic and pretty much incapable of making a definite decision on anything in his personal life. This is in contrast with his job as a lawyer, a job we see, through Nora’s eyes, he is great at.

Ann is the target of Paul’s love. We mostly see her through his eyes and they are very judgemental eyes. We don’t know the actual facts, but Paul’s imagination runs wild with thoughts of her sleeping with other men. Of course, we must take into account the times when judging Paul by his attitude, but, for a man in love, it is disturbing nonetheless.

However, what needs to be said is that these characters are well thought out. Their dialogue and thoughts show off not only their traits but also amazing insight into human psychology.

My Review

I never read Mihail Sebastian growing up. It is a pity his writing isn’t covered in school in Romanian literature. I would have actually loved to have read it in high school. It is when this kind of love story would have made a major impact on me. However, seeing this book from an adult perspective is perfect in its own way. I get to enjoy the writing for all its aspects, not only the love story.

The main thing I loved about it was the way skiing, learning something new, going out exploring nature, and basically getting out of your own head is what changes a person and makes him evolve. Paul is so focused on an old love, that he stops living his own life. Experiencing something so powerful as skiing for the first time shifts his perspective.

He actually says:

– I’ve forgotten everything, completely. Here, in the snow, under your eyes, Nora, lies a man with no memories, a free man — do you hear me? — a free man…

“The Accident”, Mihail Sebastian

Or:

– Nora, do you believe that skiing can save a man? Can change a life?

– My dear Paul, I think our life is full of bad habits, obsessions and fixed ideas. Skiing gets us out of them. After that, what’s left is to not let ourselves be defeated by them again.

“The Accident”, Mihail Sebastian

The writing is exquisite. I have never read a more vivid, beautiful and exciting description of someone experiencing skiing. I have never skied and, yet, I felt I was there. I wanted to be there! Seeing the world through a great writer’s eyes is definitely more captivating than the actual experience.

This is a book I can talk about for a long time. It has many things you can debate on because these characters are flawed. Loveable, but flawed. Other than really getting the urge to knock some sense into Paul now and then, I can say I was hooked from the first to the last page!

Conclusion

This is a great piece of Romanian literature! Though the action is set in 1935, everything, including the writing, is surprisingly actual.

It is definitely a must-read!

✨✨✨ You can find the book here:✨✨✨