After the collapse of Communism, Alexievich interviewed ordinary people from many walks of life and here are their authentic voices (and what voices!). Overnight embracing of freedom, democracy, capitalism? On the contrary, disorientation, anger, betrayal as social order disintegrates into the law of the jungle and pre- and post-Soviet generations can no longer communicate. Yes, goodbye to repression, but increasing nostalgia for lost ideals and certainties. I now understand the appeal of Putin. A fascinating eye-opener.
Ed Note: due to be published in English in May this year
(Annabel Bedini - bwl 79 Winter 2016 ) |
