Never Mind the Vampires, Here's Transylvania

Mike Ormsby is back, after the extraordinary Never Mind the Balkans, Here's Romania, with a series of beautiful stories depicting the rural dimension of Romania with idiosyncratic wit and humour. Meet Linda, Sam & Co strolling the beautiful hills of Transylvania; meet the villagers of Culmea and discover the genuine vibe of the country. Never Mind the Vampires, Here's Transylvania is funny, and bittersweet at times, but it seems that Mike Ormsby has learned the Romanian way of "a face haz de necaz". A fantastic book! Enjoyed every bit of it.

The adventure continues! After “Never Mind the Balkans”, Mike Ormsby continues his saga when he and his charming wife move from busy Bucharest to a quiet mountain village in Transylvania. The views are wonderful, the quirky neighbors a delight, and the funny yet insightful storytelling a pleasure for any traveler, armchair or otherwise.If you thought Tuscany or Provence were the only places in Europe worth writing about, you haven’t read “Here’s Transylvania”!

hilarious first chapter and I can relate from my own experiences visiting the country. Loved it.

An interesting collection of experiences living in a Transylvanian town. Seemingly in chronological order, the chapters could be read almost independently. I very much enjoyed the tales this couple lives through. If you like reading about real life, this will entertain and delight.

Brought back memories of being in Romania back in the 70's as a teenager!Beautifully written with a combination of meticulous detail regarding everyday life in a rural community and the zany antics of the locals.

Was hoping for a Transylvania travel guide book. It is not. It is the authors attempt at a witty "my life in rural eastern europe" Nothing much happens, but it was good enough that I finished reading it.

It's always interesting to read what "the other" has to say about you or, conversely, how you become "the other", even more so when the scrutinizing foreign eye is completed with wit and a penchant for turning unpleasant aspects under his gaze into a laughing matter. After a "Never Mind the Balkans... Here's Romania" that has given the Romanians a humorous mirror to see their good, not-so-good, bad and really bad habits, British journalist relocated to Romania Mike Ormsby continues his saga made up of very short sketches, this time in Transylvania (that's still in Romania, in case you wonder). The world-famous vampire is obviously missing, as any decent Englishman, from Prince Charles to Mike Ormsby, may easily notice. Transylvania is nevertheless full of picturesque figures, more interesting than the one created by the figment of Bram Stoker's imagination, and M.O. turns them into literary characters with the keen eye of a journalist.An easy, pleasant reading, bittersweet at times, "Never Mind the Vampires, Here's Transylvania" (the Sex Pistols reference remains irresistible, apparently, Sid Vicious says hi) is recommendable for the Romanian readership interested in seeing how aspects which they consider normal may be bewildering to others, but also for those who equate Romania with Dracula and/or Ceausescu, who might learn a thing or two from Ormsby's ‘course’ into avoiding the pitfalls of stereotyping. <Advance Review Copy courtesy of the publisher>

As a reader, I sometimes had a feeling that I am there, with the author and his family, friends or neighbours. I guess that the reason why the stories moved me so much is that they are incredibly true. Mike presents the reality just as he sees it. Something totally normal for a local inhabitant is not always so obvious for the author – and vice versa. The stories show Romania – and particularly Transilvania – in its true colours, from good and bad sides. I would strongly recommend you to read the books if you are going to visit this part of the world in the future. Or, if you are already there, perhaps you will find yourself in Mike’s shoes?Advance Review Copy courtesy of the publisher.

I usually buy his books for British friends. A bit like... 'here's a funny, innocent, non-threatening book about Romania you might like! Hope you like the gift! Let's have some wine!'I have read all his books but the region where I'm from is completely different to Transylvania. Our typical response to 99% of the situations he describes is a few words of 'encouragement' for people to go somewhere and do something to themselves... Absurdities are dealt with rudeness otherwise you wouldn't make it out alive! We don't take anybody for a ride and nobody comes in uninvited, especially at night. Some advantages and disadvantages to that approach... I suppose!I always knew Transylvania was different but looks like it's fundamentally different. We share the absurdities but not the response. Interesting!

I love these books. This was the first of Mike Ormsby's books that I read and I enjoyed it so much that I have read his other Romanian tales. These stories introduce you to a part of Europe where life has not changed much in five hundred years. And yet of course it has changed. These are stories of people trying to hold on to a traditional way of life in the face of rampant modernity.They are holding on to their potholes to keep the tourists out and cannot understand why Mike would want to live in their midst.Lovely gentle stories, each chapter both a short story and part of the greater story.I highly recommend this and Mike's other Romanian books as pleasant escapist reading in the company of a great raconteur.

Mike Ormsby returns to Romania for his latest incisive yet warm take on the country's culture, this time focusing on rural aspects from a Vampire Bat's eye view of Transylvania. Mike is never quite the tourist, but neither does he pretend to be more than an observer. And he observes very well, with a kind and self-deprecating honesty. His ability to reflect on his own occasional (and not always wanted) intrusion is endearing, certainly to the reader. Mike picks up on the detail behind the customs and traditions with rigour and perception - you can tell this man was a journalist. He also has the advantage of being married to the indigenous Angela who provides balance, wisdom and good humour I particularly enjoyed his observation of the old and new Romania coexisting in the fields and meadows - hand held scythes and mobile phones side by side.The warmth he adds to his perception is incremented by his Liverpudlian humour - a gigantic mushroom is described as a Dacia hubcab (Dacias being mostly de-specced Renaults made under licence in Romania). His immersion in the culture enables him to recount specifics with authority, but never with condescension. He takes you on a deeply enjoyable trip through the valleys and up into the mountains.Yes, Mike might not be a tourist, but he and Angela are the perfect tour guides. I thoroughly recommend making the colourful and intriguing journey with them.

Another cracking collection of tales from the acknowledged Shakespeare (aka Caragiale) of Romania - Mike Ormsby. This time they’re all about Transylvania rather than focussed on Bucharest - and particularly the Transylvanians, a motley crew of saints, rogues, drinkers and entrepreneurs - many of them rough diamonds, all of them characters. Ormsby applies his usual wit and verbal dexterity to make you laugh - and sometimes cry, as in the story of Cristina the bear rescuer. Look out also for a hilarious account of an attempted concert in a gorge. All the stories are enjoyable, and the book a winning combination of eminently readable, and insightful about this evidently beautiful part of the world, and its people.

I enjoyed reading this. It gives a good view on life in Transylvania. Some great insight into the holiday season as well.