Liviu Rebreanu's Novels on Social Issues

Liviu Rebreanu's novels on social issues were very acute and well-written for his time. He wrote a number of them in his life, which spanned from 1885 to 1944. His passion for writing about social matters extended beyond his novels into his plays, short stories and journals, as well. Here is a brief overview of his two most popular novels on social issues.

"Ion" (1920)

His first popular published novel, "Ion", earned him much respect from the Romanian Academy. A doomed story of a man in love with land and women; it is full of murder, revenge and love. Following Ion through his troubles of loving a woman he must dishonor to marry, his infatuation with a former lover and his ultimate demise caused by giving in to the temptations of the flesh are all great ways to view the lives of intellectuals and peasants in pre-war Transylvania.

"Răscoala" (1932)

"Răscoala," or "The Revolt," was written in the last decade of Rebreanu's almost-60 year life. It is a direct reflection of his views of the 1907 Romanian Peasants' Revolt, and further accentuates his passion for the unequal dealings of land between poor peasants and wealthy landowners that unfairly managed their properties in big cities - leaving the peasants, essentially, to function as indentured servants. Touted as one of the best Romanian novels of the interwar period, it is a great read for readers and historians alike.

When it comes to Liviu Rebreanu, there are many examples of socially-impacting novels and other works. It is no wonder he was able to capture the attention of the Romanian Academy and lead a successful writing career. His commentary and journals, as well as his writings that parallel popular social issues, are great examples of historical fiction.