Marta Petreu’s At Home, on the Plain of Armageddon

Abstract

Marta Petreu’s At Home, on the Plain of Armageddon (2011) tells the story of a Transylvanian peasant family in the 20th century, blending autobiography and fiction. The novel begins with the funeral of Mica (Maria), mother of protagonist Tabita. Mica’s marriage to Ticu (Agustin), a devout Jehovah’s Witness, is unhappy: Mica grows hard and resentful, while Ticu finds solace in his belief in the Second Coming. Through this family’s intimate struggles, Petreu reflects on the larger history of Transylvania, religious conversion, and the burdens of faith. The novel is a poignant exploration of the tensions within family, faith, and human resilience.