This is a quick book surveying Russians who abandoned their country once Putin began his “special military operation” against Ukraine. Granted, many of those who fled were thinking more of their personal comfort, but it was uplifting to read about those who where more principled. Even more uplifting was reading about some of the exiled Russians who are working behind the scenes to help Ukraine win the war, like the physicist who helped develop defensive equipment and was honored by Ukraine for doing so, and about those who have enlisted in the Ukrainian army and are risking their lives for Ukraine’s freedom. There are others working behind the scenes in Russia, assisting with sabotage. Those Russians willing to defy Putin are a small percentage of the whole. But even so, this book gives me hope that one day there might be a Russia that isn’t premised on killing one’s neighbors and isn’t premised on treating ones own citizens as medieval slaves.
Category Archives: Brantford news
Midnight by Amy McCulloch
I loved Breathless and was looking forward to Midnight but didn’t find that McCulloch’s second novel was as strong as her first. There are a lot of the same engaging ingredients — murders, mystery and an expedition holiday — but the story bogged down. That said, anyone wanting to vicariously take a luxury expedition Antarctica cruise will love the authenticity of her setting.
Annual Christmas party!
Ukraine: The Forging of a Nation 5/5
Marsha S gives this new approach to the history of Ukraine a resounding 5/5.
Hrytsak takes a holistic approach to history, covering large subjects with a storytelling technique rather than relying on dry chronology. It starts with the day Russia attacked Ukraine in the current war and describes the innovative and communal way individual Ukrainians successfully fought back the surprise attack from a massive force that should have been more organized. Individual Ukrainians took responsibility for the defense of their country and fought back with whatever weapons they had. Their creativity and dedication set them apart from the monolithic army of the Russians, whose every movement came from above, often from Putin himself, meaning individual soldiers and their commanders were frozen, waiting for orders. This vignette sets the tone for the rest of the book: how is it that neighbouring nations can have such starkly different citizens in outlook, response and resourcefulness? Hrytsak’s book answers that question by delving back into the history of Ukraine and it’s record of protest against unjust rule vs Russia and its history of the populace being held down by despots. Anyone wanting to understand the current war should read this book.
Norah O is reading the classics
5/5 for book about Nikola Tesla
Jeanne C gives Away from the Dead a 5/5
Title: Away From the Dead
Author: David Bergen
Bergen crafted a novel based on accounts written by two very different sources, a Mennonite farmer who immigrated from Ukraine to Canada and a Russian writer of this time period. The book is loosely based on the lives of several generations of family members who were affected by the events of the Russian Revolution and whose surviving members came to live in Canada in the 1920’s. I enjoyed the author’s simple prose and thoughtful character development. The family members, with their fears and faults, kept me reading to learn how their lives would unfold.
Marion’s plea for a better selection of large print books
Like all of us book club members, Marion W is a smart and avid reader but she’s noticed that the selection of library books available in large print may be good for some avid readers, but not so great for discerning readers. She held up this book and said with frustration, “I don’t recommend this one. Too Harlequinesque.” Are large print readers doomed to read mediocre fiction? One hopes not.
The Pull of Stars by Emma Donaghue — 5/5
Symposium Cafe is the perfect place for bookish lunches
Our book group has been meeting over lunch-brunch at Brantford’s Symposium Cafe ever since we ventured out for post-pandemic non-zoom gatherings. Always, the service is stellar and always the food is beautifully presented, tasty and not too expensive. The staff at Symposium never rush us out and they are so very pleasant and friendly. This is Annette. Her smile says it all!
