Writing from Ukraine

Timely ... an excellent anthology of the work of Ukrainian writers from the past fifty years ... as this collection eloquently shows, Ukraine's writers have forged their own unique cultural identity ... these writers tell the story of modern Ukraine through entrancing meditations on Ukrainian daily life ... powerful -- PD Smith * Guardian * Some of the liveliest and most moving literature in the world is also some of the least known in English. So blessings on editor and translator Mark Andryczyk and the team of expert and eloquent translators he has assembled for bringing us this abundant new anthology of poetry and fiction from Ukraine of the Soviet and post-Soviet periods. It's a great public service to enlarge our acquaintance with this indispensable work, an act of moral generosity. But what the reader will be most grateful for is the sheer pleasure of it. -- Lloyd Schwartz, Poet and Pulitzer Prize-winning critic A rich and dramatic anthology that covers predominantly the post-independence period of Ukrainian literature, bringing together writers from a host of generations and genres. From authors whose work has become synonymous with Ukraine's modern-day cultural revival, such as Yuri Andrukhovych, Victor Neborak, and Yuri Vynnychuk, to an array of new voices representing the emerging literary vanguard, this masterfully translated, lucid, and engaging selection showcases the extraordinary power, vitality, and diversity of writing in contemporary Ukraine. -- Maryna Romanets When it comes to writing, freedom is often assumed to mean the freedom to write on political themes without fear of state reprisal. In the formerly Communist countries of Europe, however, the freedom not to write on political themes can be just as meaningful. These fifteen authors bring us stirring reflections on nature, hilarious morning-after surprises, touching spiritual insights, rich family histories, computers and snowy mountains and gay bars and slag heaps. -- Alex Zucker