The "Best Romanian Detective Story"

Having finished Adam and Eve yesterday, I started The Hatchet, by Mihail Sadoveanu today. It's a fairly short novel and a quick read. I recall reading it in junior high, 7th or 8th grade, and greatly enjoying the story. (It was, in fact, one of the few pieces of Romanian literature that I enjoyed at the time.)

A note on the author's life
According to the intro note, Mihail Sadoveanu (1880-1961) was a prolific writer, having published over 100 books as well as editing a number of literary journals. Though Sadoveanu wrote throughout his life, Kurt W. Treptow claims, in the headnote, that his best works were written before the end of the Second World War, at which time he joined the communist party and turned to writing propagandist novels. I myself have not read very much about the author, but would be interested in delving into his life. What made this mastermind betray the "traditional values he had expounded in his literary creations"? From where did he draw his inspiration? Who were the writers with the greatest influence on his life? What was it like for him to lead communist assemblies? Did he regret his decision?

Religious sorcery?
Though the term "religious sorcery" may appear to be an oxymoron, Sadoveanu reveals that for Moldovan peasants, it was an everyday affair. Vitoria appeals to Maranda, the village sorceress, to unveil the whereabouts of her husband. The wife also interprets dreams and omens on the one hand, but is heavily religious on the other. I had noted the strange connection between religion and sorcery/witchcraft in Ion by Rebreanu as well. I'll be interested to further pursue this strand in the rest of this novel and the two left.

The role of women
Sadoveanu's novel differs from Rebreanu's novels significantly in that the protagonist is a woman, and a strong-willed, independent-minded, purpose-driven woman at that. She defies gender stereotypes and sets out to avenge her husband's death. I'm only halfway through the novel, but it appears that Vitoria Lipan is the exception from the rule; that is, she subverts patriarchy through her actions and makes a bold statement about the role and equality of women. Sounds like an interesting thesis to me...