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rieviolet's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This is my very first foray into Latvian literature; I didn't know what to expect but I was suprised by how much this novel captivated me and stuck with me.
It takes a moment to orient oneself with the rapid switch of POVs between mother and daughter; but, once you get used to it, you can see how well this stylistic choice supports the narrative and builds on it.
The author depicts the central relationship between mother and daughter in a very striking and heartbreaking way, shining a light on all its complexities and nuances. I also appreciated how Ikstena explored the influence of the historical context (the Soviet rule over Latvia) on the life of individuals.
This is a very bleak story, with strong imagery and symbolism, at times veering a little too far into harrowing and disturbing territory (for example the metaphorical parellel with the story of the daughter's hamster). I think that its shortness works in its favour. The author condenses various elements of reflection (freedom and domination, motherhood and generational trauma, struggles of mental health) in a little over one hundred pages and makes this gloomy and challenging narrative bearable for the reader. Despite everything, the ending still holds a faint glimmer of hope for the future.
It takes a moment to orient oneself with the rapid switch of POVs between mother and daughter; but, once you get used to it, you can see how well this stylistic choice supports the narrative and builds on it.
The author depicts the central relationship between mother and daughter in a very striking and heartbreaking way, shining a light on all its complexities and nuances. I also appreciated how Ikstena explored the influence of the historical context (the Soviet rule over Latvia) on the life of individuals.
This is a very bleak story, with strong imagery and symbolism, at times veering a little too far into harrowing and disturbing territory (for example the metaphorical parellel with the story of the daughter's hamster). I think that its shortness works in its favour. The author condenses various elements of reflection (freedom and domination, motherhood and generational trauma, struggles of mental health) in a little over one hundred pages and makes this gloomy and challenging narrative bearable for the reader. Despite everything, the ending still holds a faint glimmer of hope for the future.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Addiction, Animal death, Bullying, Death, Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Medical content, Abortion, and Death of parent
Minor: Alcoholism, Cancer, Child death, Infertility, Miscarriage, Forced institutionalization, Vomit, Antisemitism, Medical trauma, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, War, Deportation, and Pandemic/Epidemic
manadziesma's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Mental illness, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Suicide and Death of parent
Minor: Violence and Abortion
krankliuk's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism and Animal death
Moderate: Suicide, Violence, Medical content, and Suicide attempt
backpackingbookworm's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Soviet Milk is a book I never would have stumbled across had I not been seeking out a book set in the Baltics. A friend recommended and I'm grateful she did - it ticked every box for me - character-driven narratives, historical/political insights into a time I knew little about, and writing that is so raw and poignant, you can almost feel the indentation of the words on your skin.
Neither of the female narrators is named and the book is chapter-less, which makes it difficult to grasp at first. At first, I was unsure why the mother and her daughter remained unnamed but then I read an interview with the author who explained that she wanted to generalize the characters and their stories as so many people have experienced similar feelings of confinement, loss, and liberty. To successfully write a book with anonymous characters is no easy feat, yet the author did a fantastic job of bringing their thoughts, struggles, and endurance to light through each distinct voice.
The title also plays a crucial role in this story, where milk metaphorically represents the bond between mother and daughter, both healthy and sour. It is also used to describe the temperature of the river, is referenced in the Milky Way and brings bad memories to the surface for the daughter who could never stomach having to drink milk at school. There are so many interpretations and I enjoyed unravelling each one after finishing the novel.
There is a good reason that this book won the Annual Latvian Literature Award; I'm so thankful for the English translation of such books that open our eyes to moments in history and the monumental impact they have on countless citizens, their families, and their motherland.
Rating breakdown
Neither of the female narrators is named and the book is chapter-less, which makes it difficult to grasp at first. At first, I was unsure why the mother and her daughter remained unnamed but then I read an interview with the author who explained that she wanted to generalize the characters and their stories as so many people have experienced similar feelings of confinement, loss, and liberty. To successfully write a book with anonymous characters is no easy feat, yet the author did a fantastic job of bringing their thoughts, struggles, and endurance to light through each distinct voice.
The title also plays a crucial role in this story, where milk metaphorically represents the bond between mother and daughter, both healthy and sour. It is also used to describe the temperature of the river, is referenced in the Milky Way and brings bad memories to the surface for the daughter who could never stomach having to drink milk at school. There are so many interpretations and I enjoyed unravelling each one after finishing the novel.
There is a good reason that this book won the Annual Latvian Literature Award; I'm so thankful for the English translation of such books that open our eyes to moments in history and the monumental impact they have on countless citizens, their families, and their motherland.
Rating breakdown
- Plot/narrative - 4.6
- Writing style/readability - 4.4
- Characters - 4.5
- Diverse themes - 4.7
- Ending - 4.4
Overall - 4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness, Self harm, Suicide, Violence, Medical content, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
Minor: Medical trauma and Abandonment