I Must Betray You

Seventeen-year-old Cristian Florescu and his family are merely trying to survive in 1989 Romania, a country ruled by a communist regime. He lives with his parents, his sister, and his terminally ill grandfather, Bunu. All Romanians live under constant surveillance and are censored by the communist dictatorship. They cannot speak freely, openly trust others, and have limited access to information about the world beyond Romania. Cristian dreams of becoming a writer and exploring the world beyond Romania, but he must keep this dream a secret for his protection.  

Inspired by his terminally ill grandfather, who openly opposes the regime, Cristian documents his thoughts and experiences, hoping to share them with the world one day. Cristian’s character is admirable because he values the importance of writing freely in a society that strongly disapproves of it. However, when Cristian is blackmailed by the secret police for possessing illegal American currency, he is forced to become an informant. Cristian cannot tell anyone, not even the one person he trusts—his sister. He is initially tasked with spying on an American diplomat’s family residing in Romania. However, his orders go beyond this, and he is forced to spy on his classmates and loved ones.  

Frustrated and guilty, Cristian takes matters into his own hands. He bravely leaves his notebook filled with documentation and observations of life in Romania on the American diplomat’s desk. A risk like this could land him in prison and put his family in danger, but he seeks to expose the truth about life in Romania. As citizens grow increasingly frustrated with the current regime, a revolution rises. Cristian’s decision to join exposes him to strong violence and the loss of those he loves. However, he is determined to unveil the government’s treatment of Romanians and help his family survive. Through all of this, he never forgets his dream of becoming a writer and engaging with the world. Will he be able to expose Romania’s oppressive conditions and escape the web of lies he finds himself entangled in?  

Lilliana Pavel, a quiet yet curious girl who lives across the street from Cristian, becomes a romantic interest. She engages in intricate acts of resistance, such as listening to American music, reading literature, and sneaking foreign snacks. Although subtle, these actions reflect her exploratory spirit and her willingness to challenge the regime. When her family gets into trouble with the police, she accuses Cristian of informing on them, and their relationship suffers. However, as the story unfolds, Lilliana’s affection for Cristian leads her to join the revolution as well, proving not only how courageous she truly is, but also how much Cristian means to her.  

I Must Betray You captures the bleak realities of those living in a communist society, as well as how restricted their lives are. Filled with tension, gritty content, and resilience, the novel will most definitely appeal to fans of historical fiction. Readers will undoubtedly remain in suspense throughout the story, wondering what lies ahead and how it will impact the characters’ lives. Additionally, the reader will be emotionally invested in the characters’ circumstances and the trajectory of their journeys.  

The story combines themes of betrayal, oppression, courage, and hope to create a powerful narrative. The idea that change can begin with one single voice is prevalent throughout. In this case, Cristian’s actions brought about immense change, and in the wise words of his Bunu, “Wisdom [is]… something [a] country can’t take from you.” Although the story contains graphic scenes, including multiple deaths, they play a crucial role in the overall effect on the reader. This is a must-read for readers interested in stories of liberation and bravery. Readers who want to read more stories based on communism should also read Breaking Stalin’s Nose and Spy Runner by Eugene Yelchin. 

Sexual Content   

• Liliana and Cristian share their first kiss, not knowing if it will be the last time they see each other. “I kissed her. And kissed her again… More gently each time. I kissed her nose, her jaw, her neck.” A guard came into the room, and the kissing stopped.  
• Liliana visited Cristian at his family’s apartment, and the two cuddled. Liliana “leaned in to make the point and kissed me. I scooted over on the bed, making room. I wrapped my arms around her and we lay there, sharing the pillow.” Eventually, they fell asleep.  
• After the revolution ends, Liliana and Cristian share a flirtatious kiss on Christmas Day. “A dot of vanilla fluff lingered on the side of Liliana’s mouth. I leaned in and kissed it away, hovering close to her.”  

Violence   

• Cristian feels betrayed by his best friend Luca, who informed on him and his family. He is so angry that he punches Luca. “I whirled around and threw my fist. I punched my very best friend.” Luca fell and did not fight back.  
• Individuals were sent to beat Cristian’s grandfather, who voiced opposition to the regime. “Bunu’s hands lay like broken birds. Their color, a purple so dark, nearly black. The bones above his palms were snapped, smashed. . . Bunu’s bare feet had been clubbed beyond recognition.” Cristian’s mother says, “His chest. The same. All ribs broken. They beat him to death.” 
• Soldiers capture Cristian and beat him because of his involvement in the revolution, as well as his failure to comply with his Securitate [secret police] handler. “The first blow was to the top of my spine, between my shoulder blades… Then they sat me up and clubbed my ribs . . . They took turns punching my face. . . Then they kicked me below the waist. I lost breath and all track of what was happening.” Finally, they stopped beating him and became distracted by something. The beating is described over several pages. Cristian was badly beaten and in a lot of pain.  
• Cristian and Liliana discuss their experiences with the state’s soldiers. Liliana tells Cristian that, “They beat us with canes, kicked us, punched us . . . A man was on a special list. . . They scalped him.” 
• Cristian, Liliana, and a few small children were taken into custody for their role in the revolution and taken to a prison. They are led to a small, interrogation-like room in the prison, and out of frustration, Cristian destroys a picture frame hanging on the wall. When a soldier enters the room and sees what Cristian has done, he punishes Cristian. “He smacked my back and legs with his club.” Although Cristian is already in pain from his prior beating, he acts brave for Liliana and the children.  
• Cristian’s best friend, Luca, is shot while participating in a revolutionary protest. It is unknown who shot him, but it is clear that there were many bullets in the air. “A bullet tore through Luca’s right shoulder, another ripped through his arm. Blood burst like fireworks in front of me. Multiple rounds flew nearby . . . Luca swayed, staggered, and buckled to the ground.” Luca disappears into the crowd. Later, it is revealed that Luca is in critical condition. 

Drugs and Alcohol   

• None 

Language   

  None 

Supernatural   

• None  

Spiritual Content   

• None