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Alex. Stefanescu argues that people need literature. This holds true even when they have no wish to read. He asks why books play so little part in daily life. He makes a personal appeal to young readers. He shares his thoughts on literature and recalls first coming to know it.

As a child, he wanted to keep that joy to himself. Later, he came to want others to share it. He sees this book as his last try to reach young people. He hopes its words may take hold after his death.

The book asks why many pupils dislike the study of literature. He compares this with why they learn other subjects. Maths helps them measure land or work out travel times. Chemistry and knowledge of the body have clear uses too. He uses this contrast to ask where literature fits in their lives.

Stefanescu draws on many years of writing and judging books. Born in 1947, he is a literary critic and historian. He writes fiction, plays and news pieces, and makes television programmes. He joined Romania literara in 1990. He led it from 1995 to 2010. He has written thousands of articles and more than twenty books. His literary history won awards from the Writers’ Union and the Academy. His television work also earned APTR awards in 2004 and 2008.