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alanyoung's review
5.0
It would be difficult to find a book that displays more courage, honesty and integrity!
Irina's account of her imprisonment displays both the brightest examples of humanity made in the image of God and the most depraved reminders of the Fall. Honesty and integrity in the 'politicals' is starkly set against the scheming, deception and brutality of the Soviet system at the time.
It is so poignant that, after the ordeals of Soviet political prisoners in general and the personal ordeal of Irina, the Soviet Union embarked on enlightened change for some years only now however the nation has plunged back into dark days.
This is a sobering and ultimately uplifting book written by a young woman I feel privileged to have glimpsed, even if only through her searingly honest words.
It is a must read.
Irina's account of her imprisonment displays both the brightest examples of humanity made in the image of God and the most depraved reminders of the Fall. Honesty and integrity in the 'politicals' is starkly set against the scheming, deception and brutality of the Soviet system at the time.
It is so poignant that, after the ordeals of Soviet political prisoners in general and the personal ordeal of Irina, the Soviet Union embarked on enlightened change for some years only now however the nation has plunged back into dark days.
This is a sobering and ultimately uplifting book written by a young woman I feel privileged to have glimpsed, even if only through her searingly honest words.
It is a must read.
dreadpiraterudis's review
dark
emotional
informative
slow-paced
3.5
Really intense and informative read about Soviet political prison camps in the 70s and 80s
beulah_devaney's review
4.0
A fascinating account of Irina Ratushinskaya time in a 1980s Soviet prison camp, that also manages to evoke some kind of Enid Blyton/Louisa May Alcott-esq boarding school romp. That isn't meant to sound flippant and Ratushinskaya doesn't sugar-coated anything. Her account is brutal and she details force feeding, strip searches, hunger strikes, beatings, KGB blackmail and psychological abuse. But she also talks about the camaraderie between her and her fellow prisoners. There are midnight feasts, food parcels, salads picked from their illegal garden. They write poems and embroider clothes for birthdays, they chase each other around in the snow and take a great deal of pleasure in thwarting their guards. It's a strange combination but very engaging and worth a read.
singinglight's review
5.0
The autobiography of a Russian poet, who for her poetry was sent to a political prison inside a prison camp during the 1980s. This is a fascinating story which gives a real glimpse into the Soviet Union just before and during Gorbachev. Highly recommended for more mature readers.
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