Romanian girl after 1989 revolution - historical photograph depicting hope and change in post-communist Romania
Dacia automobile factory during communist Romania era - industrial life under Ceaușescu regime
Bucur Obor neighborhood in Bucharest 1986 - everyday life in communist Romania before the revolution
Bucur Obor underground passage in Bucharest 1980 - urban infrastructure during Ceaușescu's communist Romania
Elderly man reading letter on boulevard - vintage photograph capturing quiet moment of correspondence
Latina refugee camp in Italy - a pivotal setting in Everything Worth Counting by Mihaela Balan Larsen, illustrated
Les Dues Donnes restaurant in Barcelona - an important location in Everything Worth Counting by Mihaela Balan Larsen, illustrated

It's 1977 in Zimnicea, Romania. An earthquake has reduced the home of ten-year-old Alex to rubble, taking with it his father and his best friend. With their world in ruins and Ceaușescu tightening his grip on a fearful nation, Alex's mother, Eva, must find the strength to protect her son and fight for a future beyond the confines of Communist Romania.

Inspired by real events, this story captures the heartbreak of loss, the value of tradition, and the enduring hope of a migrant mother and son determined to build a better life from the ashes.

Everything Worth Counting book cover - A historical fiction novel by Mihaela Balan Larsen about survival and immigration, set in 1977 communist Romania, Italy and Spain after the earthquake
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Praise

"Everything Worth Counting by Mihaela Balan Larsen is an amazing read that piqued my curiosity about Romanian history... This thought-provoking work expertly captured the importance of having a supportive family and community. I loved the steady pacing, which kept me intrigued and eager to discover the next twist in the flawlessly flowing plot."

— Frank Mutuma, Readers' Favorite

What is the use of imagination if we are victims of reality? Quote from Everything Worth Counting: A Mother and Son's Journey Beyond the Iron Curtain by Mihaela Balan Larsen
Her voice was of a woman who had breathed the dust of her ruined home, cried at the sight of her husband's broken body, and tasted the sweat running off her forehead and down to the factory floors. In other words, it was the voice of my mother, my best friend, and the voice of everyone else who had suffered at the hands of their country. Quote from Everything Worth Counting: A Mother and Son's Journey Beyond the Iron Curtain by Mihaela Balan Larsen
"The writing will resonate with every reader, as we can so clearly feel the emotions of both mother and child. What is it like to be homeless, dependent on the kindness of near strangers, and cope in a refugee camp? This story takes you there, with the highs, the lows, and the small victories."

— Lucinda E Clarke, Author of Amie: An African Adventure

REAL EVENTS AND PLACES FROM THE STORY

The 1977 Vrancea Earthquake

On the evening of March 4th, 1977, Romania was struck by a 7.4 magnitude earthquake. It lasted fifty-five seconds and caused widespread damage across the country, especially in Bucharest. This devastating natural disaster forms a pivotal moment in the story, forever changing the lives of Eva and Alex.

The Rossi-Longhi Refugee Camp in Latina, Italy

The "Rossi-Longhi" refugee camp in Latina, Italy (1957-1989), in the book simply known as Latina camp, received tens of thousands of refugees who escaped the communist regimes of Eastern Europe, from countries such as Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, Poland, Hungary, Romania, and many others. After spending some months there, many refugees were relocated to countries like Canada, Australia, and the United States.

Barcelona's Gràcia District in 1978

By 1978, Gràcia, once an independent municipality, was now fully part of Barcelona, yet it retained its vibrant neighborhood character. Plazas and bars buzzed with local chatter, and the narrow streets grew increasingly crowded and bustling. Occasionally, democratic messages hanging from balconies and graffiti scattered across walls hinted at a city testing its newfound freedoms. Laurent's house stood on Carrer de Verdi, alongside Atelier Mateo and many other familiar spots.