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Erin Litteken's Reviews > The Memory Keeper of Kyiv
The Memory Keeper of Kyiv
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by
Dear Readers,
The seeds of this story took root in my mind even before Russia invaded Crimea in 2014, and now the world is watching in horror as Russia continues its brutal attack on Ukraine – its cities, its civilians, its future.
I never imagined the release of my novel on a past assault of the Ukrainian people would coincide with such a parallel tragedy.
Ukrainians today are fighting for their country with a strength and tenacity that has captivated the world, but it is impossible to deny that history is repeating itself. It’s horrifying, and we must do better.
As the granddaughter of a Ukrainian refugee from WW2, the poignancy of this war devastates me. While we can’t change history, we can all learn from it and do something to help the Ukrainian people today. I’m so pleased that my publisher, Boldwood Books, is donating a share of the proceeds of this novel to DEC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal. I couldn’t be happier to be a part of that effort.
My heart goes out to the brave Ukrainians defending their country, their culture, and their lives, both then and now. Slava Ukrayini!
The seeds of this story took root in my mind even before Russia invaded Crimea in 2014, and now the world is watching in horror as Russia continues its brutal attack on Ukraine – its cities, its civilians, its future.
I never imagined the release of my novel on a past assault of the Ukrainian people would coincide with such a parallel tragedy.
Ukrainians today are fighting for their country with a strength and tenacity that has captivated the world, but it is impossible to deny that history is repeating itself. It’s horrifying, and we must do better.
As the granddaughter of a Ukrainian refugee from WW2, the poignancy of this war devastates me. While we can’t change history, we can all learn from it and do something to help the Ukrainian people today. I’m so pleased that my publisher, Boldwood Books, is donating a share of the proceeds of this novel to DEC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal. I couldn’t be happier to be a part of that effort.
My heart goes out to the brave Ukrainians defending their country, their culture, and their lives, both then and now. Slava Ukrayini!
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Reading Progress
Finished Reading
(Kindle Edition)
Finished Reading
March 9, 2022
– Shelved as:
to-read
March 9, 2022
– Shelved
July 18, 2022
– Shelved as:
to-read
(Kindle Edition)
July 18, 2022
– Shelved
(Kindle Edition)
Comments Showing 1-27 of 27 (27 new)
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Amy
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rated it 5 stars
Mar 13, 2022 08:01AM
Can’t wait to read your new book !!
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I look forward to reading it, when I was a professor so many students were unaware of the famine. Slava Ukrayini!
I have just finished the book and don't mind admitting I "ugly cried" I need to take some time to process what I've read before writing my review. It's hard to say how much I loved it because it's so harrowing but I congratulate you fir bringing the Holodomor into the public domain as I'm ashamed to say I'd never heard of it
Will this be available in print in North America? I would love to read this!
Yes, it is available in print, audio, and ebook in North America
Thank you for writing this!
Jen wrote: "Will this be available in print in North America? I would love to read this!"Yes, it is available in print, audio, and ebook in North America. Sorry, I responded to the main post accidentally instead of your comment. I hope you were able to find a copy!
Trina wrote: "I have just finished the book and don't mind admitting I "ugly cried" I need to take some time to process what I've read before writing my review. It's hard to say how much I loved it because it's ..."Thank you so much!!!
Amy wrote: "Can’t wait to read your new book !!"Thank you, Amy!
I have just started the book, and I'm curious about what village Sonyashnyky is based on. I know it doesn't really matter, but the thing is I live in a village in the South-East of Kyiv region, and of course I picture my village when I'm reading, so I just wonder if I should picture the Northern part instead (more pine trees and woods in general, less hills).
Do you know if it will be translated to Ukrainian and printed here in Ukraine?
As a Ukrainian immigrant myself this book truly brought me to tears I think in part jsut thinking about what is going on in ukraine right now. Thanks for sharing this story loved it!!!
This was such a moving book. One of many I’ve read recently but it brings more light yet again to “Man’s inhumanity to man.” It is so apparent in our world and as I read about these characters I prayed for those who are being persecuted in this region and around the world. That is not made up. History and current events speak truth. Love is the only answer.
Thank you for this book
Pennie wrote: "I have just started the book, and I'm curious about what village Sonyashnyky is based on. I know it doesn't really matter, but the thing is I live in a village in the South-East area of Kyiv region, and..."Hi Pennie,
I based the idea of this fictional village in Tetiiv Raion of the southwest Kyiv oblast area because that was one of the hardest hit areas during the Holodomor. Hope that helps! Thanks so much for reading!
Sergii wrote: "Do you know if it will be translated to Ukrainian and printed here in Ukraine?"I'm not sure yet, but that would be amazing!
Tanya wrote: "As a Ukrainian immigrant myself this book truly brought me to tears I think in part jsut thinking about what is going on in ukraine right now. Thanks for sharing this story loved it!!!"Thank you so much for reading, Tanya! I'm so sorry for what your country is going through now.
Rachelevelyn wrote: "This was such a moving book. One of many I’ve read recently but it brings more light yet again to “Man’s inhumanity to man.” It is so apparent in our world and as I read about these characters I pr..."Thank you so much for reading!
Erin, I’d like to know what would you comment on what’s written in the Wikipedia article about those years you describe in your book ( just search Soviet famine in 1930 in Wikipedia), where it clearly states that there are no historical evidence about any genocide intentions against Ukrainians as well as any other nationalities that lived in the Soviet Union.And I think it’s very wrong, to say the least, to position the Holodomor as ‘the story that is repeated now’.
hope soon we read in Ukrainian 🙏
Responding to Ele, Wikipedia entries can be extremely biased! You said, that Wikipedia, "clearly states" no historical evidence. One only has to investigate Walter Duranty's Pulitzer articles. Do you not think any denial of intentions of genocide as written in Wikipedia continue to do a disservice? I think it's very wrong, to say the least, to accuse any attempts to bring light to either current or past events.
Very few Americans are aware of Holodomor if at all. I emigrated to US when I was 11 and this tragic event was not covered in JH or HS history classes that I can remember. Excited to read your book!
My great-grandparents were Mennonite in Ukraine during this period of time. Very similar things happened as in this book. My great-grandma and her kids had to flee to Poland then Germany from the soviets, after her husband had been arrested by Soviets and later died in the gulag. This book brought to life what I’m sure is similar to what they lived through.
Thank you for writing this book Erin Litteken, I’m enjoying it already. I have several friends who are also grandchildren of Ukrainian refugees after WWII so it is interesting to read a story that is so close to their grandparents’ own experiences. 🇺🇦
Such tragic history and tragically now is being repeated. Thank you for educating us. A love story too.
