Out of Romania

Despite the uneven writing, this autobiographical account of life under Romania's totalitarian regime is gripping. Born in 1954, the author had a carefree rural childhood until 1965, when Nicolae Ceausescu was elected general secretary of the Communist party. Under his repressive rule, no dissent was permitted, and Antal's teenage rebelliousness, which included growing his hair long and listening to Beatles music, caught the attention of the security police (Securitate). His mail was intercepted and he was frequently questioned and harassed by official interrogators. Antal details the horrific abuses and lack of freedom ordinary Romanians endured daily. Antal was fired from his job as an English teacher when he attempted to apply for a passport. His activities endangered his parents, and he was about to flee illegally when Ceausescu was overthrown in 1989. Although he was hopeful of the new government at first, abuses mounted and Antal emigrated to England, where he now lives. (Sept.)