September 22, 2025

Women Looking at War


Women Looking at War
Victoria Amelina's Memoria Igor Monchuk, Wikimedia Commons

German literary award Hotlist recently announced its winners for 2025. The top spot by public vote went to Ukrainian author Tamara Duda, for her novel Daughter.

Organizers also reported that Duda won by the highest margin in the competition's history, earning 1,758 of 6,740 votes. Her novel was one among 30 titles shortlisted by the competition’s jury.

Duda was not the only Ukrainian author honored in the competition. Victoria Amelina’s novel Looking at Women Looking at War was also nominated, and came in 11th place.

Both novels follow the experiences of women during wartime, inspired by the lives of the authors affected by Russia's aggression toward Ukraine, including its ongoing full-scale invasion.

Daughter was originally published in 2019 and takes place in 2014. The novel follows the life of a young woman attempting to carve out her future, feeling her life suddenly interrupted after Russia’s initial invasion. The book is based on Duda's life experiences; she volunteered in the Anti-Terrorist Operation Zone from 2014 to 2016.

Amelina’s book Looking at Women Looking at War is nonfiction. The events of the novel begin in 2022, before the full-scale invasion, and continue through it. Like Duda, Amelina writes of how the war affects her life, her family, and especially other women. She highlights the lives of a multitude of women involved in the war effort, including an activist, a soldier, and a librarian.

Amelina’s work was left tragically unfinished. In 2023, Amelina was in the Ukrainian city of Kramatorsk when it was struck by a Russian missile. She was injured in the blast and died a few days later. Her unfinished writings were assembled by an editorial group of those close to her and published in its fragmented form.

You Might Also Like

A Modern Fairy Tale
  • September 20, 2025

A Modern Fairy Tale

The Ukrainian journalist Anastasiia Marsiz’s first novel, set in modern Italy, reads in the literary tradition of skazki, Eugene Onegin and Tolstoy’s folk tales.
More War, Fewer Books
  • August 25, 2025

More War, Fewer Books

Ukrainian book sales are decreasing, but demand for English-language literature is on the rise.
Ukrainian Artist Honored
  • July 31, 2025

Ukrainian Artist Honored

Serhiy Zhadan is the first Ukrainian to win the Austrian State Prize in European Literature.
Like this post? Get a weekly email digest + member-only deals

Some of our Books

The Moscow Eccentric
December 01, 2016

The Moscow Eccentric

Advance reviewers are calling this new translation "a coup" and "a remarkable achievement." This rediscovered gem of a novel by one of Russia's finest writers explores some of the thorniest issues of the early twentieth century.

A Taste of Russia
November 01, 2012

A Taste of Russia

The definitive modern cookbook on Russian cuisine has been totally updated and redesigned in a 30th Anniversary Edition. Layering superbly researched recipes with informative essays on the dishes' rich historical and cultural context, A Taste of Russia includes over 200 recipes on everything from borshch to blini, from Salmon Coulibiac to Beef Stew with Rum, from Marinated Mushrooms to Walnut-honey Filled Pies. A Taste of Russia shows off the best that Russian cooking has to offer. Full of great quotes from Russian literature about Russian food and designed in a convenient wide format that stays open during use.

Fearful Majesty
July 01, 2014

Fearful Majesty

This acclaimed biography of one of Russia’s most important and tyrannical rulers is not only a rich, readable biography, it is also surprisingly timely, revealing how many of the issues Russia faces today have their roots in Ivan’s reign.

Woe From Wit (bilingual)
June 20, 2017

Woe From Wit (bilingual)

One of the most famous works of Russian literature, the four-act comedy in verse Woe from Wit skewers staid, nineteenth century Russian society, and it positively teems with “winged phrases” that are essential colloquialisms for students of Russian and Russian culture.

The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas
October 01, 2013

The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas

This exciting new trilogy by a Russian author – who has been compared to Orhan Pamuk and Umberto Eco – vividly recreates a lost world, yet its passions and characters are entirely relevant to the present day. Full of mystery, memorable characters, and non-stop adventure, The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas is a must read for lovers of historical fiction and international thrillers.

 
The Little Humpbacked Horse
November 03, 2014

The Little Humpbacked Horse

A beloved Russian classic about a resourceful Russian peasant, Vanya, and his miracle-working horse, who together undergo various trials, exploits and adventures at the whim of a laughable tsar, told in rich, narrative poetry.

Little Golden Calf
February 01, 2010

Little Golden Calf

Our edition of The Little Golden Calf, one of the greatest Russian satires ever, is the first new translation of this classic novel in nearly fifty years. It is also the first unabridged, uncensored English translation ever, and is 100% true to the original 1931 serial publication in the Russian journal 30 Dnei. Anne O. Fisher’s translation is copiously annotated, and includes an introduction by Alexandra Ilf, the daughter of one of the book’s two co-authors.

Fish
February 01, 2010

Fish

This mesmerizing novel from one of Russia’s most important modern authors traces the life journey of a selfless Russian everywoman. In the wake of the Soviet breakup, inexorable forces drag Vera across the breadth of the Russian empire. Facing a relentless onslaught of human and social trials, she swims against the current of life, countering adversity and pain with compassion and hope, in many ways personifying Mother Russia’s torment and resilience amid the Soviet disintegration.

About Us

Russian Life is the 31-year-old publication of an award-winning publishing house that also creates books, and other products for Russophiles the world over.

Latest Posts

Our Contacts

Russian Life
73 Main Street, Suite 402
Montpelier VT 05602

802-223-4955