The core of the book lies in its . By creating a sophisticated ecosystem for these creatures, Cărtărescu uses the zmeu as a mirror to explore human traits like power, manipulation, and social inequality.
The volume is divided into two distinct parts, complemented by intricate illustrations from artist Tudor Banuș : Mircea Cartarescu – Enciclopedia zmeilor
The author adopts a parodic, ironic tone, citing fictional research from the "The Pennsylvanian Institute for Unreliable Studies" and inventing biological origins for mythical traits. The core of the book lies in its
Mircea Cărtărescu’s ( The Encyclopedia of Dragons ), first published in 2002 by Humanitas , is a unique literary hybrid that blends pseudo-scientific classification with fantastic storytelling. While Cărtărescu is often associated with high-concept postmodernism, he categorized this work as part of a trilogy with "lower literary ambition," aimed at a broader audience. Structure and Content Mircea Cărtărescu’s ( The Encyclopedia of Dragons ),