A Modern Day Miortia
He’s a writer known for his dark wit and his outsider’s take on the world he lives in. Andrei Codrescu was born in Romania in 1946 and was forced to flee his country twenty years later. He began publishing his work in the seventies and seems to have his hands in all things literary — be it poetry, essays or novels. Codrescu also edits the literary magazine “The Exquisite Corpse”; public radio fans will know him from his regular commentary on NPR’s All Things Considered.
Codrescu is the featured writer at Birmingham Southern College’s Writing Today Conference. He stopped by the studio to speak with WBHM’s Rosemary Pennington about writing and his latest novel Wakefield — the story of a man forced to find his “true life” after the Devil comes calling. But Wakefield’s not the only one going through a crisis, the Devil’s got problems of his own.
Wondering what exactly a “miorita” is?
It’s a lovely Romania folk ballad of a sheep’s devotion to her beloved shepard. She tells the shepard he’s about to be killed and asks him to run away. He refuses, deciding to meet his fate. He then asks his ewe, Miorita, to tell his mother he isn’t dead, but instead married the daughter of a king. Miorita does as he wishes and travels about the land, telling the story of how her beloved married a princess.
The tale has been handed down for ages and changes a bit with each telling, but at its heart is always the willingness of the sheep to turn a tragic situation into a lovely story. The path the sheep took on her mythical travels has been said to define the boundaries of Romania’s artistic imagination; boundaries that are constantly shifting as new Romanian artists, writers and musicians develop.
Looking for more information about Andrei Codrescu?
When it comes to Tylenol, what are parents to do?
The science on Tylenol and autism isn't clear, despite President Trump's claims. Here's what parents need to know to make their own decisions about acetaminophen.
World health officials reject Trump’s claims that Tylenol is linked to autism
The President says pregnant women should stay away from Tylenol due to possible autism link. World health authorities strongly disagree, say the drug is safe in pregnancy.
Jury convicts Ryan Routh on all charges in attempted assassination of Donald Trump
Jurors convicted Routh on five charges, including last year's attempted assassination of Trump as he golfed at his South Florida course. Routh represented himself in court and faces life in prison.
You can now experience Björk’s heartbreak in VR
Vulnicura VR Remastered revisits a project the Icelandic pop artist debuted a decade ago, now reimagined with advanced technology.
Trump cancels meeting with Democrats as prospects for shutdown increase
President Trump called off a planned Thursday meeting with top Hill Democrats to discuss a possible deal to avoid a shutdown. He called Democrats' demands "unserious." Democrats say he chickened out.
After fireworks caused her dog to panic, a stranger offered them a ride home
Lara Friedman was walking her large rottweiler on July 4 when fireworks went off. Her dog went into panic mode. Then a stranger offered to help, ensuring both got home safely.
