A novel for children of all ages, showing how the source of evil can arise from unrealistic hopes — when a utopian dream quickly turns into a grotesque nightmare.
Mihai Ene
A dissatisfied boy, a Christmas wish and… metamorphosis.
Platanos is a dystopia, the continuation of the short story with the same title studied in middle school, written at the request of students and teachers. The characters have grown up, the world is completely changed, and Platanos is not who he claims to be.
Tour: Platanos Autumn
Published by Youngart Publishing House, Platanos is the novel in which Doina Ruști continues the story with the same title, included in the 8th-grade Romanian language textbook published by Art Publishing House, which has enchanted many generations of students. The mysterious Platanos is now seen through the eyes of the one who wanted to become his friend, but he also gets the chance to tell his own stories. In the interview below, you will find out details about the process of creating the protagonist, about the anchors of a world in constant change, and about how sometimes unresolved crises of adolescents can give birth to emotions and desires capable of changing reality. At the same time, you will discover the creative echoes that reading the novel Platanos has had among its young readers across the country.
The white scarf, which dances in the snowfall like a ballerina, is the magical object that changes the order and nature of life in Platanos, the latest young adult novel published by Youngart Publishing House. What was, for you, throughout your career as a writer, the “white scarf” that brought the great changes?
Self-confidence and trust in my own strength. Every time I found myself in troubled situations, my personal daimon appeared — that being we all have from the very beginning, prickly, sometimes malicious, full of irony or airs. Often ready to demobilize you. Well, this daimon, with all its flaws, has kept my morale high through an unwavering trust in my chances. No matter how absurd the thing I had started might have been, it assured me that I would bring it to a successful end. I have left nothing unfinished. In my life there are many deeds, perhaps not all praiseworthy, but certainly all of them carried through to the end. Completed. This is where my joy in writing the ending comes from — the most important part of a story. I believe it is the strong point of my writing. I love the denouement because my inner god has never allowed me to leave anything unfinished, which has given me not only spiritual comfort, but also the belief that my desires come true, that there exists a white shawl wandering the world to draw the map of my aspirations. Continuation here.
SAVOX: how I wrote Platanos
Platanos, painted in the style of Vincent Willem van Gogh, by students. More here.
The first review of Platanos, signed by Luiza Negură, in Convorbiri literare, November 2025.
In addition to many other secrets, a mysterious house is also added:
The Popescu House was exactly as I had dreamed it — a large building full of things. The main room, packed with objects, especially books and cassette tapes, seemed to stretch across the entire ground floor. My first impression was devastating. I didn’t know what to look at first. From the high ceiling, I had the feeling that hazy silhouettes were floating, and the walls were entirely covered with thick book spines, gilded at the edges. Only one wall was free, and from a table, a blue spotlight cast a film-like scene onto it.
Platanos
THE END of novel
Revolutions are irreversible. Only dreams can recover what once was:
Mihai Ene – review of Platanos
