Reviews

One More Year: Stories by Sana Krasikov

esther_habs's review against another edition

reflective tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

yanulya's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

z000e's review against another edition

It's not the kind of short stories I'm used to. They feel like parts of novel, with a lot of characters and heavy on detail, and I kind of struggled to get into a lot of them because of that, but also because men were more present in the stories than I thought they'd be. Really liked "There will be no fourth Rome" though, changed my whole perspective and planned rating of the book:)

vegisupreme's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

liv_withbooks's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

literaryfeline's review against another edition

4.0

Short stories come in all different styles. Some are character studies; others have more of a vignette feel to them, that slice of life view; and then there are short stories that are more plot driven, with a clear beginning, middle and end. Sana Krasikov manages to capture all three in her collection, One More Year. Her characters are richly drawn and fully developed. Their stories are complex and I feel as if, for the instance of each story, I am walking in their shoes. One More Year is made up of stories of immigrants from the former Soviet Union. Some have settled in while others still struggle to find their footing. There was not a story I did not like in this collection.

escapegrace's review against another edition

3.0

Krasikov quite successfully captures the modern-day Russian emigré existence (I assume). Her stories portray characters of all ages, dispositions, and locations, struggling to make connections with each other and their homeland. Only rarely does Krasikov's youth seep through.

memawls's review against another edition

4.0

This collection of short stories deals mostly with Russian immigrant's lives in the U.S. The characters really come alive in all of the stories. Well-written and lead me to be quite empathetic with many of the characters situations.

clarereadstheworld's review

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

3.75

 Immigration is the central theme in this collection of short stories and the connection to Georgia is the thread which weaves through each section binding the characters together.

It's easy to bring to mind stereotypes and prejudices when it comes to immigration, especially immigration from former Soviet states, but through the diversity of characters portrayed Krasikov reminds the reader that no two immigrants are the same, and everyone has their own story to tell. The opportunities and challenges involved in leaving behind ones country, family and friends are compassionately explored along with the diverse reasons for leaving and staying in a new country.

All but one of the main characters are female, which was of course wonderful. Despite their difficult circumstances, the women were portrayed as strong and resourceful, making the best of their situations. The men don't come off quite so well in most of the stories, they are often portrayed as lying, cheating, cowardly and even abusive.

There were two stories I found particularly interesting, one about a woman who moved back to Gerorgia again after successfully emigrating with her husband, and the other about the daughter of an immigrant who goes back to visit her aunt in her mother's home town. In both stories the challenges of returning to a place left behind are exposed. Going back may seem like an easy option, but it is often anything but.

The title of the collection 'One More Year' really hilights the precarious and temporary situations immigrants find themselves in long-term. Living in unsuitable accommodation for just one more year while they save for something better, staying put in an unhappy relationship for just one more year while they wait for their papers to be processed, working bad jobs far from their children to send money home for just one more year. The life of an immigrant can feel like a life in limbo.

This is a really lovely short story collection, held together by the power of love and hope, and supported by the all important strength of friendship.
 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Domestic abuse

Minor: Infidelity, Medical trauma, Infertility, and Toxic relationship

bookwormbecks's review against another edition

5.0

I loved Jhumpa Lahiri's short stories and I found Sana Krasikov's to be very similar, in every good way possible. I look forward to Krasikov's first novel.