Nunțile necesare

Munteanu and Pădureanu are teachers. Both feel jealous of Ciobanu, a fellow teacher. They seek to ruin him. Three women form part of their circle. Their names are Ana, Ileana and Anica.

Dumitru Tepeneag’s novel draws on Mioriţa. It shapes both the plot and the cast throughout. The themes link what it means to be Romanian with shared human life. Critic Ion Mureşan calls the book’s rhythm sexual. He sees it build toward death throes.

The book first came out in French in 1977. Its title was Les Noces nécessaires. Two publishers put out Romanian editions in 1992. The author rejected the first due to faults in its production. This edition forms part of the Fictiune si Artilerie series.