The basis of the novel are the chronicles of Grigore Ureche, The Moldavia Annals and Neculce''s "Words" but also large material about Stephen the Great gathered from the predecessors:Alecsandri ( The Altar of Putna Monastery and the Red Grove), Delavrancea - Sunset. sadoveanu writes before this work " Stephen the Great''s life". [BR]The Marten Brothers is a historical novel, and at the same time, a epopee, a cronical, a legend and a realist novel. It is a combination ofgenres;fairy tale and ballad and ancient beliefs. The realistic story is realized through the fabulous. [BR]The novel includes three volumes: Ionut''s apprenticeship, The white Spring and The King''s Men.
The book is opened by describing the celebration ceremony of the titular saint of Neamt Monastery, where the crowd is waiting eagerly Stephan''s arrival. It''s a happines and equilibrium background. The country has got settled roads, the properties are ensured by donations.[BR]At the centre of the book is Manole Black Hair''s family, whose sons have varied activities.[BR]Manole Black Hair, country boyard, not abook man, but faithful to the waivode, had been the equerry of the deceased Bogdan-waivode. The Timis boyard is taking care of the waivode''s horses.
On the other hand, the old equerry, is an enlightened councillor and a great warrior. Facing with his sixteen flags, the turcs, he dies heroically in the battle of Vaslui, ensuring a famous victory.[BR]Simion, Manole''s first son is courageous but introvert.He is a great warrior too. In the Poland episode, when he delivers Marusca (whobecame his wife) from the abductors''hands, as well as in the battle of Vaslui, where he dies together with Manole, Simion shows his great qualities of man of action. [BR]Disappointed in his love life, Nicoara, another son of the the equerry, enters the monastery , becoming the monk Nicodim. The youngest son, Ionut, addresses him with the formula : cuvious Nicodim..Concillor of the family and book man, Nicoara spends his life in sorrow and with the saint books.[BR]Satisfied with his rank, Cristea is under the influence of the beautiful Candochia, being tempted at one point to believe the boyards who conspire against the waivode