Daniela Lungu

Colony of Demons Daniela Lungu

"The Colony of Demons" by Romanian writer Daniela Lungu talks about the different ways of reaching God. Maria Magdalena is a brilliant gynecologist whose research on in vitro fertilization has led to thousands of women becoming mothers. She herself, despite her infertility, manages to finalize a pregnancy after numerous attempts. Unfortunately, the child is stillborn. Magda interprets this as a sign of heavenly punishment and vows to get back into God's graces. She ends up in a secluded colony led by an exorcist priest. The narator of the novel is a woman, a documentary films director who is searching for the story of her career. She accidentally meets Magda in a gas station, on the way to the colony. The two become close friends, despite quarrelling over a common love interest. Stories of love and hate occur among the members of the colony. Magda falls from ecstasy to agony, makes a truce with God and finds her long desired son, even though he was born by another woman. She disappears without a trace, along with her son.