The Memory Keeper of Kyiv: The most powerful, important historical novel of 2022

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In 1929, Katya is 16 years old, surrounded by family and in love with the boy next door. When Stalin’s activists arrive in her village, it’s just a few, a little pressure to join the collective. But soon neighbours disappear, those who speak out are never seen again and every new day is uncertain. The story alternated chapter wise between 1930s Ukraine and present day in 2004 and was well written as a dual timeline, and really brought readers into the historical setting of the time and made me understand and feel what they were going through very well. A compelling and intimate story of love and survival. Harrowing and haunting . . . yet, at the same time, it is sensitive, beautiful and inspiring. Everybody should read this story, especially now. I cannot recommend it highly enough.” Christy Lefteri, author of The Beekeeper of Aleppo As the world once again witnesses Russia’s attempt to exterminate the Ukrainian people and their culture, this work of historical fiction provides a view of this tragic period of Ukraine’s history. Strong people. Absolutely melded like metal by pure persecution and adversity. None of the characters in this book, not a one- came alive to me either. All the steel and crazy vivaciousness (what else can they do to us moxie) is missing. They are almost monotonous instead.

Each of the characters in this story come to life vividly, and I felt like I was right beside them watching each of the horrors they f Have you heard of the Holodomor, the forced famine in 1930s Ukraine? I hadn’t, although I knew of Stalin’s collectivisation. In Ukraine, an estimated 3.9 million people perished. In the words of a character in this novel: “Everyone wants Ukraine’s fertile soil for their own, and nobody wants to let Ukrainians rule it.” Any book about that country needs to be read, to widen our understanding of what its people have suffered. Susan Bennet Erin Litteken grew up in Momence, Illinois, and now lives in Troy, which is just outside St. Louis.The Memory Keeper of Kyiv is a meticulously researched novel . . . depicting a country whose people managed to dig deep enough to find the strength, determination and heart to survive." Deborah Carr, author of An Island at War Transcripts for St. Louis Public Radio produced programming are available upon request for individuals with hearing impairments. This is a story of the resilience of the human spirit, the love that sees us through our darkest hours, and the true horror of what happened during the Holodomor. Katya’s story is powerful. The hardships the Ukrainians had to endure at the hands of the Soviets is inconceivable and brutal and in the midst of it is a beautiful love story which helps propel Katya forward when it would be understandable to give up. Forced into famine with her family along with the rest of Ukraine, she must find a way to survive. This is a very interesting book that shows strong courage and unwavering hope. We are assured there is light after the darkness.

In 1929, Katya is 16 years old, surrounded by family and in love with the boy next door. When Stalin’s activists arrive in her village, it’s just a few, a little pressure to join the collective. But soon neighbors disappear, those who speak out are never seen again and every new day is uncertain. In the 1930s, Stalin’s activists marched through the Soviet Union, espousing the greatness of collective farming. It was the first step in creating a man-made famine that, in Ukraine, stole almost 4 million lives. Inspired by the history the world forgot, and the Russian government denies, Erin Litteken reimagines their story. A debut author with plenty of promise writes to educate us on the past oppression of the Ukraine people as it coincides with recent parallel tragedy. She reminds us that throughout the centuries there’ve been many authoritarian leaders trying to eradicate Ukraine and its people, most famously, Stalin and now, Putin. The desire has always been to stamp out Ukrainians and take their land. Litteken, a granddaughter of a WW2 Ukrainian refugee, wants readers to learn from history….as it’s repeating itself in real-time.Some survived, most did not. This is a story of a family that would have lived during those times and how they might have survived. It is also a story of Katya after the Homodor and how she dealt with the aftermath and survivor's guilt. A story of her daughter and granddaughter and how on her death bed she finally found peace. In 1929 leidt de zestienjarige Katya nog een onbezorgd leven; ze wordt omringd door familie en is verliefd op haar buurjongen. Maar Stalins plan om Oekraïne, de graanschuur van Europa, in te lijven bij het communistische

Note: If you are in a depressed state of mind, please stay away from the book until you are in a stronger mental headspace. There are many triggering events in the 1930s timeline. While most of the extreme triggers aren’t detailed out directly, what’s happening behind the screen is enough to induce nightmares. My thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the DRC of “The Memory Keeper of Kyiv”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. The Memory Keeper of Kyiv is a meticulously researched novel . . . depicting a country whose people managed to dig deep enough to find the strength, determination and heart to survive.” Deborah Carr, author of An Island at War Ukraine, 1930. Sixteen year old Katya has a lot to look forward to in life. She is part of a happy family and has a childhood sweetheart Pavlo right next door. But when Stalin’s activists come to their village and demand that everyone join the initiative of collective farming, the future suddenly doesn’t look so bright. Breathtaking. Devastating. Erin Litteken's The Mem ory Keeper of Kyiv chronicles a defining but forgotten moment of Ukrainian history.” Amanda McCrina, author of The Silent UnseenPlease be sure to read the author’s notes as the author adds more historical facts that are very eye opening to shedding more light on this horrendous time in history. On my mental well-being journey I've qualified in different 'therapies' including Mindfulness and as a Mental Health First Aider. I took my love of crochet one step further too with a crochet diploma. Read more Das Buch erzählt innerhalb von zwei Zeitsträngen zum einen die Geschichte von Katja, um 1929 die in einem Dorf in Kiew aufwächst. Nachdem die Dorfbewohner gedrängt werden Stalins Kollektiv beizutreten verändert sich so viel für die Menschen und das greift die Autorin hier auf und veranschaulicht aus vielen verschiedenen Perspektiven und innerhalb verschiedenen Problematiken, was das alles mit sich bringt und wie es sich eben auf die Familien, auf das Erwachsenwerden auswirkt. Join us, invite your friends, break open a bottle of wine or grab a cup of coffee and let’s get this book club going!