The Memory Keeper of Kyiv: The most powerful, important historical novel of 2022

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I never imagined the release of my novel on a past assault of the Ukrainian people would coincide with such a parallel tragedy.

Although not pictured, it is almost always served with a large spoonful of sour cream on top and some people mix it in to the soup before serving. Erin Litteken didn’t set out to capitalize on newfound interest in Ukraine. The Troy, Illinois, resident worked for a full decade on her debut novel, “ The Memory Keeper of Kyiv.” That it’s being released at a time of unprecedented interest in Ukraine’s fate is pure coincidence. A compelling and intimate story of love and survival. Harrowing and haunting . . . yet, at the same time, it is sensitive, beautiful and inspiring. Everybody should read this story, especially now. I cannot recommend it highly enough.” — Christy Lefteri, author of The Beekeeper of AleppoThe characters in The Memory Keeper of Kyiv are complex and authentic. They deal with their various emotional traumas in different ways but survive. Katya is particularly endearing because the onset of dementia releases long-suppressed memories of the Holodomor. Like Shari J. Ryan, Erin Litteken neither dwells on the atrocities or sensationalizes them, but describes them matter-of-factly.

Publishing is a business with a years-long trajectory, so when a book comes out with subject matter that coincides with current events, it feels propitious. Inspired by her great-grandmother’s story, Erin Litteken decided to write a novel based on her life in Ukraine before and after World War II. She had no idea the book would be published just as Ukraine fell into crisis once again. As the world admires the strength of the Ukrainian people, The Memory Keeper of Kyiv highlights the roots of that strength. At the end of the book, Katya chooses to fight and live her life as best she can, even though the Soviets still occupy her village and her life has changed irrevocably. Was there a better option for her? Would you have continued fighting?

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Despite the issues I had with the modern timeline, the historical part of the book was enough for me to be a satisfied reader. ( In fact, the book might have worked better as a historical story focussing only on the Holodomor instead of having the dual narrative.) It is a great debut work and I will surely love to read more by this author. Breathtaking. Devastating. Erin Litteken's The Memory Keeper of Kyiv chronicles a defining but forgotten moment of Ukrainian history.” Amanda McCrina, author of The Silent Unseen After escaping to America, Katya and Koyla never speak of the Holodomor. How do you think that affected Anna and Cassie’s lives? Even though half of the novel is set during a famine, the characters often reminisce about their favorite Ukranian foods. I loved learning more about the cuisine of Ukraine. In my opinion this is a must read, especially since I have already talked with so many other people who have never heard of this. Learning about the Holodomor also gives another layer of perspective on the current tragedy taking place in Ukraine today. My heart breaks more for all the Ukrainians have suffered.

The contemporary timeline, while interesting, is very drab in comparison to the past story. It is too predictable. The characters are pretty one-dimensional. I also found it very farfetched that Cassie’s family, especially her mom, knew zilch about their Ukrainian heritage. Cassie seemed quite incapable of understanding even the most obvious of connections while the rest of us could decode the clues from a mile away. The characters in the present day story are linked to the characters in the past by a discovered journal telling of the hardships suffered in the past. A compelling and intimate story of love and survival. Harrowing and haunting . . . yet, at the same time, it is sensitive, beautiful and inspiring. Everybody should read this story, especially now. I cannot recommend it highly enough." Christy Lefteri, author of The Beekeeper of Aleppo This is a story of fictional characters based on true events during the Homodor. The characters are based on people that lived during that time and either gave testimony or wrote about it. The story is heartbreaking and tear jerking. I cannot fathom how anyone could treat people in such a manner. I also do not know how anyone survived during this time of great famine. Note: If you are in a depressed state of mind, please stay away from the book until you are in a stronger mental headspace. There are many triggering events in the 1930s timeline. While most of the extreme triggers aren’t detailed out directly, what’s happening behind the screen is enough to induce nightmares.Please be sure to read the author’s notes as the author adds more historical facts that are very eye opening to shedding more light on this horrendous time in history. Dit verhaal heeft meerdere verhaallijnen. Zo lees je over Cassie in het jaar 2004. Haar man is overleden en sindsdien gaat het ook niet zo goed met haar dochtertje van vijf. Cassie trekt tijdelijk bij haar oma in en komt achter een schokkend verhaal uit het verleden van haar oma Katya. Each of the characters in this story come to life vividly, and I felt like I was right beside them watching each of the horrors they faced. The storyline flows beautifully between past and present leaving a book you can't put down. I can't wait to see what is yet to come in the way of stories from this debut author.