Fiction and Docufiction Books about the Russo‑Ukrainian War
These are a few recommendations for those who want to read contemporary Ukrainian literature about the Russo-Ukrainian war. They tell about events in the east of Ukraine (mostly the Donetsk region) happening from 2014. All these books were originally written in Ukrainian and translated into English.
Setting: Donetsk region, 2015The Orphanage is the story of a man called Pasha who is trying to distance himself from what is happening in his country, even though at home he can hear explosions. He would rather not take sides. As the battlefield moves closer to his garden, he is forced to travel to the occupied territory to pick his nephew from an orphanage. The events of the book cover this trip. It only lasts for two days, but is very eventful: Pasha meets different people from both sides and witnesses many horrors. Will this experience change his view of the situation?
Serhiy Zhadan is one of the most prominent contemporary Ukrainian writers. His works have been translated into many languages and won numerous awards. Serhiy has been actively volunteering to help civilians and the Ukrainian army since the Russian invasion started in February 2022.
Buy The Orphanage by Serhiy Zhadan on Amazon
Setting: Donetsk, 2014-2015We learn about what’s happening in Donetsk between the Revolution of Dignity and occupation of the city by the Russian forces. Although it is a work of fiction, all events described in it are documentary. According to the author, all characters are based on real people and each conversation happened in reality. The narrator is a young woman. Instead of evacuating to a safer region when the situation worsens in the city, she stays and helps the Ukrainian forces, ordinary people and animals. This is a story about kindness and courage.
Tamara Duda, the author of this novel, has been a volunteer in the Anti-terrorist Operation Zone since 2014.
Buy Daughter by Tamara Duda on Amazon
Setting: Donetsk region, 2014–2017This short read is a collection of six plays. Based on stories of real people, each of them tells about relations between men and women in wartime. There are intricacies of journalists, soldiers, civilians, teenage girls. It’s very revealing and harrowing. There’s also a film and a play which were based on this book.
