pickSvetlana Alexievich's “Zinky Boys“ offers a firsthand perspective on the experiences of Soviet veterans from the war of the 1980s. The English translation effectively conveys these accounts, providing American audiences with valuable insights into the Soviet experience during the conflict.
Readers who enjoyed this might also enjoy "The Tunnels" by Greg Mitchell, and "Stasiland" by Anna Funder.
so-soOne of the rare cases of movie is better than book.I saw Juho Kuosmanen‘s adaptation&was not aware that he‘d taken some liberties which make the film compelling&emotionally engaging.The book is not convincing bc the girl character is too aloof&the man-much older than her-a despicable misogynist,antisemitic drunk who beats his wife.In the movie the girl and man are the same age&he‘s rough&rude but also kind&gentle&thus believable that 👇
so-so45/150 This was an interesting moment in American history, when the Soviet premier Nikita Khrushchev visited the United States, toured the country, was welcomed by Hollywood stars and generally treated like a ally. The book is a bit repetitive, Khrushchev acts the buffoon, then loses his temper and throws a tantrum, apologizes and then it starts again at the next location visited. 3 ⭐⭐⭐💫
Gul'sary means buttercup. This beautiful golden stallion used to be the fastest in his part of Kyrgyzstan (or the USSR state of Kyrgyzia as it was then), but now, he is old and dying, as is his human (owner is not the right word, as a) he is quite independent and b) collectivisation). Chingiz Aitmatov is one of my favourite authors, so I have high hopes for this novel 🐎
Photo: Maria Itina
so-soAn enjoyable short read. I was expecting a little more in regards to the structure of the Soviet Union‘s meteorological network and the work they did. It was less about that and more focused on the life in prison and brutality the meteorologist, Alexey Feodosievich, had to endure as a review on the horrors of the Great Terror. Paragraphs often hop in time which confused at times, but an overall good read for those interested.
