Why a Booktrail?
1992: Snegurochka opens in Kiev in 1992, one year after Ukraine’s declaration of independence.
Snegurochka
What you need to know before your trail
Rachel, a troubled young English mother, joins her journalist husband on his first foreign posting in the city. Terrified of their apartment’s balcony with its view of the Motherland statue she develops obsessive rituals to keep her three-month old baby safe. Her difficulties expose her to a disturbing endgame between Elena Vasilyevna, the old caretaker, and Mykola Sirko, a shady businessman who sends Rachel a gift. Rachel is the interloper, ignorant, isolated, yet also culpable with her secrets and her estrangements. As consequences bear down she seeks out Zoya, her husband’s caustic-tongued fixer, and Stepan, the boy from upstairs who watches them all.
Betrayal is everywhere and home is uncertain, but in the end there are many ways to be a mother.
Travel Guide
Travel to Kiev, Ukraine BookTrail style
The novel takes place in Kiev in 1992 at a very important time in its history. Only recently, Ukraine has gained its independence from Russia. Life in the city of Kiev in particular has changed for the worst. There are shortages of food, water, clothing and day to day services that any citizen needs. More so, after the country is trying to get back on its knees again.
Black marketeers and gangsters, all kinds of criminals are thriving by selling bookleg food supplies from areas still very much contaminated by the tragic Chernobyl disaster. This happened in 1986 and the consequences of this are still being felt. Babies are being born with deformities and people are suffering from all kinds of illnesses and diseases, some of which are only now beginning to show.
Life here is harsh and certainly for Rachel and baby Ivan. She is there with her BBC husband and living in the thirteenth storey apartment with balcony. Rachel’s life has changed and life in the city has changed. These transformations will have a lasting effect on her and everyone around her.
Booktrailer Review
Impressive. the cover is perhaps one of the best covers which truly captures the story within.
Read The BookTrail’s Bookreview of Snegurochka on the blog
BookTrail Boarding Pass: Snegurochka
Destination/location: Kiev Author/guide: Judith Heneghan Departure Time: 1992
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