A review by sonic_the_hedgehog
War's Unwomanly Face by Svetlana Alexiévich

5.0

He took Ellochka in his arms, hugged her, kissed her. He emptied out all his pockets, gave her bread crumbs. She downed them with water from the swamp. And following his example, other partisans emptied their pockets and gave her crumbs. When we got out of the encirclement, I was completely sick. I was covered with boils, my skin was peeling off. And I had a child on my hands…We were waiting for a plane from the mainland. They said that if it came, they would send off the most badly wounded, and they could take my Ellochka. And I remember that moment when I was sending her away. The wounded reached out for her: “Ellochka, to me.” “Come to me. There’s enough room…” They all knew her; in the hospital she sang for them: “Ah, if only I live till my wedding bells.” The pilot asked, “Who are you here with, little girl?” “With mama. She stayed outside the cabin…” “Call your mama, so she can fly with you.” “No, my mama can’t leave. She has to fight the fascists.” That’s how they were, our children. And I looked at her face and had spasms—will I see her again someday?