SLAV SISTERS
Edited by Natasha Perova (Dedalus)
To honour the centenary of women’s votes in the UK, Dedalus has published Slav Sisters to memorialise women’s literature in 20th century Russia and the USSR. This is an anthology which includes many fiercely talented and resilient Russian (along with a handful or Ukrainian and Belarussian) authors who embody the strength required to be not only a woman, but a female writer in the USSR. I found some of the short stories to be excessively abstract, which can often be an effective tool, but made them a relief to finish at times. With this in mind, there’s something to be said for literature where purposefully uncomfortable content is translated into a physical feeling for the reader. Dedalus’ intention to celebrate and promote such work is evidence the shifting progressive climate for European female literature. MEGAN THOMAS
Price: £12.99. Info: www.dedalusbooks.com
