A review by tamara_mousa
Zuleikha by Guzel Yakhina

adventurous dark informative mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

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

5.0

Zuleikha is an enthralling book by Guzel Yakhina. It is the story of the powerless Tatar kulak woman Zuleikha, whose husband was shot by the Red Army after the Bolshevik revolution against the Tsar in 1917. This is a turn-page tale depicting the life of kulaks – the rich or prosperous peasants, whose properties were confiscated (ranches and farm animals) and gathered from different lands that was part of the Soviet Union. They were executed on the spot or taken to Siberia as hired labor, because of being considered enemies of Russia. It is believed that despite the ability of humans to live together harmoniously, they (unfortunately) stupidly choose to fight and kill each other. And for what? As the Hoopoe of the Magical Bird Semrug folk tale said to his birds: “What is the use in spending our time and energy on factions and feuding”! Mostly to satisfy the ego of the head of state and his generals!
 A complet  summary us available in my blog:
 www.tamarayousefmousa.com