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A review by winecellarlibrary
Out of Ukraine by Emily Gallo
challenging
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This review is also available on my blog: Wine Cellar Library
“‘I think I’m so hungry that I’m not anymore. Does that make sense?’
Eric laughed. ‘As much sense as anything else that’s happening.’” (p. 215)
First, I would like to thank the author for providing me with an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
A nail-biting journey through surrogacy, COVID-19, and the Russian invasion of Ukraine
After losing their 4-year-old to leukemia and years of secondary infertility, Heather and Eric seek out an affordable surrogacy option. Their research leads them to an agency in Ukraine. Stricken by COVID-19 as their surrogate’s due date approaches, Heather must stay behind, and Eric’s mother, Abby, accompanies him on his journey to retrieve his newborn daughter, Jillian. Russia invades Ukraine shortly after Jillian is born, forcing Eric and Abby to flee the country with the baby in the dead of winter.
Emily Gallo’s attention to detail in Out of Ukraine makes the book feel as though it could only have been written by someone who faced all the challenges firsthand. Every turn is met with another blockade, forcing Abby and Eric to devise unique strategies to overcome their circumstances. The tension they feel is realistically conveyed through Eric’s surly tone and Abby’s bouts of panic, which compounds the strain on their resolve. While they are trapped in Europe for many weeks, the story maintains a fast pace and high energy. The narrative, at times, does more telling than showing, but the story is so compelling that the pages fly by rapidly. As the trio faces unimaginable hardship–but also heartwarming, selfless charity–Out of Ukraine is a distinctive literary examination of human resilience.
“‘I think I’m so hungry that I’m not anymore. Does that make sense?’
Eric laughed. ‘As much sense as anything else that’s happening.’” (p. 215)
First, I would like to thank the author for providing me with an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
A nail-biting journey through surrogacy, COVID-19, and the Russian invasion of Ukraine
After losing their 4-year-old to leukemia and years of secondary infertility, Heather and Eric seek out an affordable surrogacy option. Their research leads them to an agency in Ukraine. Stricken by COVID-19 as their surrogate’s due date approaches, Heather must stay behind, and Eric’s mother, Abby, accompanies him on his journey to retrieve his newborn daughter, Jillian. Russia invades Ukraine shortly after Jillian is born, forcing Eric and Abby to flee the country with the baby in the dead of winter.
Emily Gallo’s attention to detail in Out of Ukraine makes the book feel as though it could only have been written by someone who faced all the challenges firsthand. Every turn is met with another blockade, forcing Abby and Eric to devise unique strategies to overcome their circumstances. The tension they feel is realistically conveyed through Eric’s surly tone and Abby’s bouts of panic, which compounds the strain on their resolve. While they are trapped in Europe for many weeks, the story maintains a fast pace and high energy. The narrative, at times, does more telling than showing, but the story is so compelling that the pages fly by rapidly. As the trio faces unimaginable hardship–but also heartwarming, selfless charity–Out of Ukraine is a distinctive literary examination of human resilience.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infertility and Pandemic/Epidemic
Minor: Cancer, Child death, Grief, and War