First published 1988
In this landmark oral history, women who lived through the horrors of World War II on the Eastern Front share their untold stories. From snipers to medics, factory workers to partisans, these voices paint a vivid, intimate portrait of the war's human toll. As they recount the grueling battles, the ravaged cities, and the unbearable losses, a powerful collective narrative emerges - one that counters the masculine, triumphalist myths of the Soviet war effort. Alexievich's masterful compilation gives dignity and gravity to the overlooked experiences of these courageous women.
Genres: historical-fiction, 20th-century, war, non-fiction, military-history, oral-history
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: collective-narrative, untold-stories
Setting: Soviet Union, Western Europe
Period: 1939-1945
384 pages · Paperback · Random House Trade Paperbacks
Content warnings: violence, war