Buburuza

A journalist asks Vasilica Buburuz to record her life story. She has used a wheelchair since she was a child. In this final account, she tells of struggles, loves, and hopes. She grows up poor, with no warmth at home. Her parents see her as a failure in their lives. Yet she earns two degrees and learns to support herself.

In Liliana Corobca’s novel, Vasilica tells her own story as a confession. It looks at loneliness and women’s lives in Moldova. It also explores life with a disability in that society. Vasilica speaks frankly of her lovers and sex life. She dwells on the past as her future seems to shrink. One passage shows the care she takes with makeup. The story also questions those who have no physical disabilities. Screens and biases can limit their lives in other ways.

Vasilica dreams of dance, wings, and a life free from pain. She looks frail but has great strength within her. Love helps her cope when things go wrong. She also seeks to ease the pain of others. She keeps finding reasons to welcome each new day.

Corobca was born in Săseni, Moldova, on 10 October 1975. Her first work of fiction won two awards in 2003. Her later work has won more prizes. It has also come out in other languages. She has written a monologue in three acts, too. Grants and stays for writers have taken her to Germany and Austria. They have also taken her to France and Poland. This edition forms part of the FICTION LTD series.