Global insecurity seems to be at its peak. Insecurity across many factors and nuances inter country diplomacy, few more than the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. So it is with some trepidation that this book comes into production. Lucky Breaks is a series of vignettes of the lives of women across the spectrum of the population in Ukraine, written by Yevgenia Belorusets and translated by Eugene Ostashevsky.
It feels more like a documentary of the women that fit within what was the ‘normal’ way of life for Ukranians, an exposition of the day to day, sometimes funny, sometimes sad, always intriguing in the depiction of the stoic country. Included in the collection is a range of photographs taken by Belorusets that are hauntingly beautiful - and often completely unrelated to the content of the writing.
There is no talk throughout about the political or military operations going on in Kviv or Ukraine more generally, but it does have that calm before the storm feel to it as each story weaves its way throughout the text. The short stories are filled with wonderfully rich imagery and a tone that shifts from complacency, to outright frustration.
Outstanding as a motif throughout is the sense of humour that Belorusets brings to the situations present. It is conspicuous in its absence when it is not included in some of the more poignant descriptions of women in the piece. The surreal nature of the writing truly adds to the whole construct and demonstrates a craft of style from Belorusets.
Reading about Ukraine gives a lot more context to the situation. While it is unfortunate that this book has been propelled into the spotlight in light of the recent events, it does humanise the whole scenario and creates the basis for what can be returned to, in time.
Overall, Lucky Breaks takes on a significance that it perhaps didn’t mean to have when it was written. The translation from the original language is, based upon some research, very well crafted and keeps the original tone and precision of language. Belorusets is a wonderfully rich and illustrative writer and talented photographer whose work will, no doubt, be recogniseable for years to come.
Reviewer: Chris Reed
Pushkin Press