Hello there!
I recently became obsessed with World War II movies, so I decided to dive into a book about women in war. This turned out to be one of the best decisions I've ever made, as the book is mostly documentary-style and does an amazing job of describing the various moments of young women at the time.
So today, I want to tell you about the book 'Women's Faces of War'.
The book was written in 1983 and features stories from women of different ages and professions. I'd say it's more like a collection of essays, to be honest.
The coolest thing is that Yegor Letov recorded an album based on this book, called 'The Weight of Non-Existence' - which includes a song with the same name as the book. After reading it, I had to give the album a listen, since Civil Defense is one of my favorite bands.
This book has also won a ton of awards and prizes:
Nikolai Ostrovsky Literary Prize from the Union of Soviet Writers (1984) October Magazine Prize (1984) Constantin Fedin Literary Prize from the Union of Soviet Writers (1985) Lenin Komsomol Prize (1986) Angelus Central European Literary Prize (2011) Ryszard Kapuscinski Prize (2011)
The book comes in a softcover edition, which is super convenient to carry around without any issues. The pages are thin but easy to flip through, and the font is large and easy to read.
I've always been fascinated by the unsung heroes of history - the women who've made incredible sacrifices, often in the shadows. But they're just as courageous as their male counterparts.
This book is a collection of stories from women who've been on the frontlines, as well as those who've waited back home for their loved ones. It's a powerful reminder that women have always played a vital role in war, even if their contributions have often been overlooked.
I was particularly struck by the film 'Batalon', which tells the story of a group of women who volunteered to fight on the frontlines. It's a testament to the strength and resilience of women, who have always had to fight for recognition and respect.
The book is a gripping and emotional read, and it's hard not to be moved by the stories of these young women. I had to put it down a few times, just to collect my thoughts and process everything I was reading. But once I'd composed myself, I devoured the rest of the book in just a few days.
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'Memories are not a passionate or detached retelling of a lost reality, but a rebirth of the past, when time turns back on itself.'
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This book was written over seven years, and not everyone was willing to open up about their experiences. Many people didn't want to revisit that difficult time, but somehow, the book came to life. The original title was actually 'I Don't Want to Remember,' because that's how many women started our conversations.
The soldiers treated these women like sisters, but there's one chapter that stands out. When young women joined one of the units, they were called some pretty hurtful names. It was a tough time, and men were often bitter and angry, with no room for good emotions. They'd seen so much death and destruction that they'd lost touch with reality.
Many of these women found love during their time in the war zone, and some even got married to their comrades after the conflict ended. Others remained single, and it's clear that they needed some serious emotional support. Even today, when our family's best friend comes back from his military service, we encourage his wife to seek counseling to help him process his experiences.
It's amazing how much of a difference a therapist can make, even in the midst of a family vacation. It's a powerful reminder that we all need a little help sometimes, and that's okay.
I have to say, the stories in this book really got to me, especially the one about a young couple, 'Two Wars Living in Our Home.' The girl got called up to serve in the navy, and it's just heartbreaking. She's a real hero for making it through all those years and still being the same person.
For many people, their time in the military is a mixed bag - they're grateful for the experience, but it's also a tough time. Many of the women in this book were decorated for their service, but it's not all sunshine and rainbows.
Another story that really stood out to me was about a girl who lost her father on the front lines and wanted to get revenge. She made it back alive, but was badly injured. She went through the Battle of Kursk and even witnessed the execution of deserters - she was one of the ones who carried out the orders. When she got back home, she got sick and everyone thought it was just a mental health issue, but once she got married and had kids, everything went back to normal.
And then there are the stories about women in non-combat roles - cooks, postal workers, journalists. They're all really powerful and show just how tough it was for everyone during that time. They had to deal with the emotional toll of delivering bad news and mourning the loss of loved ones - it wasn't easy for anyone.
These girls were pitied more during the war. They were pitied more than anyone else. It was a shame to bury them, and it was a shame to send their moms a death notice...
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I also came across an interesting story about underwear, where girls wanted to look good for themselves. And when many girls got their first period and didn't know what was happening, they were scared and said they weren't hurt, but that blood was coming out. There are funny stories like that in the book too.
And how many marriages were created by the war! Girls who fell in love would follow their boyfriends everywhere, and then strong marriages were formed that lasted for many years.
I want to say that the book is interesting, but you need to prepare yourself to read it.