Bottled Goods

Set in Communist Romania in the 1970s under dictator Nicolae Ceausescu, this debut novel follows Alina and her husband Liviu, two teachers in their twenties who long for a freer life. Their situation changes when her brother-in-law defects. Suspicion and state surveillance follow the couple, and the pressure begins to strain their marriage. Alina must also contend with a controlling mother, a student who makes false accusations, and a Secret Services agent who keeps showing up at their door. Escape looks impossible until her aunt Theresa, a superstitious woman with mystical leanings, suggests an unusual way to shrink Alina's problems to a manageable size. The book blends magic realism, Romanian folklore and Kafkaesque paranoia, and is written in short flash fiction pieces. It explores empowerment, liberty, family and loyalty. The novel was longlisted for the 2019 Women's Prize for Fiction.