A review by madameroyale
War Diary by Yevgenia Belorusets

4.25

A slim and moving little volume, full of outrage and fear and the everyday boredom that comes with surviving a civilian life under war. It took me a few entries, but I soon became appreciative of the photography as well as the writing. The photos appear very simple at first, but the longer you look, the more you can see evidence of the war even in the most innocuous images. In hindsight, it’s impressive she could photograph so much with the constant restrictions.

Besides telling her own story, Belorusets included a lot small stories from friends and strangers she met on the streets. It was fascinating to see all the different ways people managed to survive each day.

Throughout her account, it was always the quotidian details I found most fascinating: utility companies sending bills accompanied with a text asking for payment only if it’s feasible, cleaning an apartment in the dark just to keep up a routine, covering windows with duvets and finding some comfort in being surrounded by your own blankets.

I hope to find more diaries like this one. And I hope people don’t overlook War Diary because of its cover.