A review by alexandriaslibrary
The Unwomanly Face of War by Svetlana Alexiévich

dark informative reflective medium-paced
“Another one, if he died on the battlefield, at least he was looking to the sky.“

“How was it possible to survive amid this endless experience of dying? To look at it day after day. To think. To try it on despite yourself. 
Is it possible to talk about it? What lends itself to words and to our feelings? And what is ineffable?”

A heartbreaking collection of personal accounts from the Soviet women of World War 2. Over 200 women from every side of the war (snipers, sappers, nurses, surgeons, laundresses, partisans, etc) tell their stories, some for the first time ever. They are grouped thematically (how they joined the war, first time seeing death, love on the front, reuniting with their children). But the stories are all hopeful and tragic, full of life and so much death. 

It would be a great read for anyone interested in the human condition, World War 2 buffs, or those wanting to learn more about Soviet history. Really remarkable and will stay with my for a long time