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Ioana Pârvulescu

イオアナ・パルヴレスク

Ioana Pârvulescu

Profile

Gender
Female
Born
1960-01-01 （Brașov, Romania）
Nationality
Romanian
Languages
Romanian, English, German, French
Residence History
Brașov (birthplace) → Bucharest (residence/work)

Career

Occupations
writer, novelist, university lecturer
Active Years
1983-
Affiliations
University of Bucharest (faculty), Literary journal România literară, Romanian Writers' Union
Memberships
Romanian Writers' Union

Education

University of Bucharest
Faculty of Letters / Department of Literature
Degree: 学士
Period: 1979–1983
Year of Graduation: 1983
Country: Romania
Undergraduate degree completed
University of Bucharest
Doctoral School of Literature
Degree: 博士（文学）
Period: 1995–1999
Year of Graduation: 1999
Country: Romania
PhD in literature awarded in 1999

Awards

European Union Prize for Literature
2013
Work: Viața începe vineri (Life Begins on Friday)
Organization: European Union Prize for Literature
Result: 受賞
EU Prize for Literature Writing Contest (professional prize)
2018
Work: short fiction "A Voice"
Organization: European Union Prize for Literature
Result: 受賞（プロフェッショナル賞）

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Life Begins on Friday

2009 novel

A novel that delicately portrays characters' inner lives and relationships through fragments of daily life and memory. Noted for its subtle humor and irony and close attention to life's details.

memoryeveryday lifehuman relationships
Translations
  • English translation by Alistair Ian Blyth (Istros Books, 2016)

The Future Begins on Monday

2012 novel

A work focused on themes of the future and expectation, and tensions with the present. Carefully depicts characters at turning points in their lives.

futurechoicestime

The Innocents

2016 novel

A work that addresses innocence, guilt, and generational divides. The narrative intertwines characters' inner lives with their social contexts.

innocenceguiltintergenerational issues
Translations
  • English translation in progress by Alistair Ian Blyth (to be published by Istros Books)

The Prophecy

2020 novel

A narrative concerning omens and uncertainty. Uses symbolic imagery and quiet narration to portray anxieties and hopes about the future.

premonitionuncertaintyhope
Translations
  • English translation in progress by Alistair Ian Blyth (to be published by Istros Books)

Bibliography

  • Viața începe vineri, Humanitas, 2009 (English translation: Life Begins on Friday, Istros Books, 2016)
  • Viitorul începe luni, Humanitas, 2012
  • Inocenții, Humanitas, 2016
  • Prevestirea, Humanitas, 2020

Translations by Author

  • Maurice Nadeau (translation)
  • Angelus Silesius (translation)
  • Rainer Maria Rilke (translation)

Translations of Works

  • Viața începe vineri → English translation by Alistair Ian Blyth (Istros Books, 2016)
  • Inocenții → English translation in progress by Alistair Ian Blyth (Istros Books)
  • Prevestirea → English translation in progress by Alistair Ian Blyth (Istros Books)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
contemporary narrative styledelicate psychological描写quiet prose focused on observations of everyday life
Recurring Motifs
memorydetails of everyday lifetime and generations

Legacy

Recognized as an important contemporary Romanian writer, gaining international attention after winning the EU Prize for Literature in 2013. She has contributed broadly through academic work and translations as well.

Academic Societies

  • Romanian Writers' Union

Trivia

  • Her 2009 book Viața începe vineri was translated into English and published by Istros Books in 2016.
  • She has worked for the literary journal România literară.
  • She has translated works by Rainer Maria Rilke and others.