Essay writing writing writing

2015/3000 words so far. I have one more section to write, plus the conclusion. I’ll probably end up using the extra 10% as well, and reach 3300 words. But so far I’m quite happy with this project. Wanna know why?

Because Rodica Ojog-Brașoveanu’s character Minerva Tutovan first appeared in 1972 and she might actually be the first real modern female detective*. Because P.D. James’s Cordelia Gray is not quite like the modern female detectives that were created in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s. Minerva, however, is. Especially with the way she challenges gender norms in her collaboration with Lieutenant Dobrescu.

Minerva is definitely a product of her time - Romania was a socialist republic, everyone is equal (in theory), so of course, a woman can be in a position of power. It’s things like this that make me believe more and more that Romania’s literary history is absolutely unique and fascinating, but it needs to be tackled from the right perspective.

*Just to clarify, there were female detectives before, but they were amateurs, usually presented as nosy spinsters. The modern female detective works as a professional and has a series of other characteristics.