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Loading... La guerra no tiene rostro de mujer (original 1985; edition 2015)by Svetlana Aleksievich, Yulia Dobrovolskaya (Translator), Zahara García González (Translator)
Work InformationThe Unwomanly Face of War: An Oral History of Women in World War II by Svetlana Alexievich (1985)
![]() Women in War (20) Top Five Books of 2018 (295) Books Read in 2018 (402) » 7 more Top Five Books of 2017 (659) THE WAR ROOM (177) Books Read in 2016 (4,330) Five star books (979) 1980s (160) No current Talk conversations about this book. ![]() ![]() #ReadAroundTheWorld #Belarus This is a fascinating book of womens’ recollections of their wartime service during WW2 in the Soviet Union. Svetlana Alexievich is the first Belarusian author to receive the Nobel Prize for Literature. She was born in Ukraine to a Belarusian father and Ukrainian mother and grew up in Belarus. Her book is a detailed collection of many women’s stories, thoughts, feelings and heartaches. She has dedicated herself to writing a history through women’s eyes and words, a story that includes emotions, not just cold facts, conquests and achievements. I found this an intriguing, readable history that highlighted much for me. The dichotomy between the Soviet belief that women were equal and could be fighter pilots, drive tanks and become army surgeons, and the intrinsic chauvinism of the patriarchy that exists in all political systems is apparent. For me, from a country where we view our politicians with distaste and cynicism, I found the patriotism and nationalism and desire to serve the mother country at all costs almost fanatical. Yet the women were unbelievably brave, heroic and tough and they accomplished extraordinary feats. All the while, many of them carried an unwavering desire to be women, to be feminine, and delighted in any opportunity to style their hair and wear heels. Many of them found war challenging on an emotional level, and shed tears as they either killed or saved lives, yet they still managed to continue their tasks. Sadly when they returned home as decorated war heroes they were often treated with suspicion and contempt by their country and their people. This is a remarkable piece of work that deserves much recognition. Another reviewer said this book is mandatory reading, and I agree. Most of us read books or articles that glorify or pillory generals, heroes, and politicians. Almost none speak of the regular people who go out to fight. Some are soldiers. Others are volunteers. And this is the first book that brings together the voices and stories of women who fought and served. The book tells their stories and their voices will haunt you. no reviews | add a review
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"Bringing together dozens of voices in her distinctive style, War's Unwomanly Face is Svetlana Alexievich's collection of stories of women's experiences in World War II, both on the front lines, on the home front, and in occupied territories. This is a new, distinct version of the war we're so familiar with. Alexievich gives voice to women whose stories are lost in the official narratives, creating a powerful alternative history from the personal and private stories of individuals. Collectively, these women's voices provide a kaleidoscopic portrait of the human side of the war. When the Swedish Academy awarded Svetlana Alexievich the Nobel Prize in Literature, they praised her "polyphonic writings, a monument to suffering and courage in our time," and cited her for inventing "a new kind of literary genre." Sara Danius, the permanent secretary of the Swedish Academy, added that her work comprises "a history of emotions -- a history of the soul."--Provided by publisher. No library descriptions found. |
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![]() GenresMelvil Decimal System (DDC)940.53History and Geography Europe Europe 1918- World War IILC ClassificationRatingAverage:![]()
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