Are you satisfied with the current political situation in your country? If not, what changes or reforms would you like to see implemented?
I am not satisfied with the current political situation. The government seems more focused on religion than national progress. I believe development, education, employment, healthcare, and unity should be prioritized instead.
Name of Book: Astronaut!
Author: Oana Aristide
Publisher: Wildfire / Headline Audio
Publication Date: Mar 26, 2026
No. of Hours: 8 Hours and 10 Min
Narrator: Rosalind Lailey
Format: Netgalley Audiobook
Romania, 1989: a grey place of mysterious queues, ubiquitous informers and daily news flashes about a man-eating bear that is terrorising the country.
Amidst the daily drudge of work, rationing and careful conversation with neighbours, two lives unexpectedly collide when an idealistic police detective, Constantin, is tasked with solving a string of grisly murders, and a rebellious school child, Lia, is unwittingly drawn into her elderly neighbour's seditious plot.
Dryly satirical, incredibly tense and deeply moving, ASTRONAUT! is both a detective novel and a coming-of-age tale, one with a perennially relevant message: the lies we accept today become the truths of tomorrow.
My Opinion
Astronaut! is a compelling portrayal of Romanian life and society in 1989, capturing the tension and quiet despair of a nation under rigid control. The narrative moves at a brisk pace, unfolding in striking phases that push readers to confront the harsh realities of societal oppression. The mystery woven into the plot adds depth, subtly guiding the story without overpowering its emotional core.
One of the most distinctive elements is the inclusion of tiny fables, which illuminate the premise with clarity and symbolic precision. Lia stands out as the most intriguing character—a rebellious child who refuses silent submission in a society conditioned to obey authority. Her defiance sharply contrasts with the general passivity around her, making her presence powerful and unsettling.
However, while the buildup of the mystery is engaging, its resolution feels somewhat underwhelming, slightly diminishing the overall impact of an otherwise thought-provoking novel.
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- Intrigue -------------------- ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Logic ---------------------- ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Enjoyment ---------------- ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Narrator ------------------- ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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