A review by henryv
Riot Days by Maria Alyokhina

5.0

The book describes the performance, arrest, and prison term, of Maria Alyokhina, in deft, immediate, and succinct ‘beat’ style lingo, illustrated with her drawings. The text is refreshing on the open page, well spaced out. As one of the key members of #pussyriot , @nadyariot her bravery shines out for her courageous activism which continues to this day. On 21 February 2012 the band performed their anti-Putin, anti-patriarchy Punk Prayer, called "Holy Shit", on the altar at Moscow’s Cathedral of Christ the Saviour. Critical of the relationship between the orthodox Church and Putin, with lines including “Virgin Mary, Mother of God, chase Putin out”, or “Virgin Mary, Mother of God, Be a feminist! Be a feminist!” the band managed to escape after the performance, but the video went viral, leading to their arrest and imprisonment. Testament to her punk character and iron resolve, the book describes the terrible prison conditions, and how, even in confinement, Maria Alyokhina was ceaseless in her activities, protesting on behalf of her fellow inmates for successful penal reforms.

I'd also recommend her fellow Pussy Rioteer #nadezhdatolokonnikova prison letters to #slavojzizek , available on @Guardian website.