Stealing from a Deep Place; Travels in S

Hall, a first-time author, recounts his experiences touring by bicycle through Romania, Bulgaria and Hungary, a two-year trip (1982-1984) made possible by a travel fellowship. Keenly aware of the subtleties of totalitarian governments and armed with a fine sense of history, he focuses on the political milieu which has led to food shortages and inadequate housing for a growing proportion of the population. Singled out for condemnation here is Romania, which, although situated on the richest piece of real estate in central Europe, is unable to distribute food to its own peoplesimply because of the government's inordinate emphasis on industrial expansion, Hall contends. Among the private citizens of the countries visited, he found great warmth and curiosity coexisting with an avarice and mistrust brought about by necessity. The final several months of Hall's travels were spent in Budapest, where he associated with the artistic and intellectual communities, who are at times sharply and openly critical of the regime. A fine and thoughtful book by a perceptive writer. (September)