The Unwomanly Face of War cover art

The Unwomanly Face of War

Penguin Modern Classics

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The Unwomanly Face of War

By: Svetlana Alexievich, Larissa Volokhonsky - translator, Richard Pevear - translator
Narrated by: Yelena Shmulenson, Julia Emelin
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About this listen

Penguin presents the audiobook edition of The Unwomanly Face of War by Svetlana Alexeivich, read by Julia Emelin and Yelena Shmulenson.

Bringing together dozens of voices in her distinctive style, The Unwomanly Face of War is Svetlana Alexievich's collection of stories from Soviet women who lived through the Second World War: on the front lines, on the home front and in occupied territories. As Alexievich gives voice to women who are absent from official narratives - captains, sergeants, nurses, snipers and pilots - she shows us a new version of the war we're so familiar with, creating an extraordinary alternative history from their private stories.

Published in 1985 in Russia and now available in English for the first time, The Unwomanly Face of War was Alexievich's first book and a huge best seller in the Soviet Union, establishing her as a brilliantly revolutionary writer.

©2017 Svetlana Alexievich (P)2017 Penguin Audio Military Women War

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Totally heartbreaking but a story that must be heard lest we forget the courage the love and the pain in war

a must listen

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After reading books by Max Hastings, Anthony Beevoir, James Holland and the like I finally had a fuller insight into the Soviet mindset and what truly drove those Soviets into how they acted. As I review this today Russia is rolling armed forces into Ukraine, Belarus and Ukraine were so much referred to it gives Putin era politics a far more informed viewpoint. Listen to this and understand what true heroes the Soviet people were and remain today.

Astounding.

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Often harrowing in the extreme the experiences of these girl soldiers tell of some of the depths that man and mankind can reach - and which remains true in today’s world - as well as sometimes telling of the heights. This reminds me of the book The Dark Continent which describes the aftermath of WWII throughout Europe when, as I recall, more people were killed than during the war, often with unbelievable barbarity. The Russian nation suffered so much both during and after the war and, nowadays, their contribution toward victory tends to shamefully be ignored. So important that these memories have been painstakingly gathered, recorded and published - thank you

What an Undertaking

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The honesty of these women was so stunning. I felt so much admiration for their bravery and sadness for their losses. I wish the human race could learn from these memories, but of course we won't.

Historical memories

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The stories of the women are heartwrenching but beautiful. Stories of loss and grief, of women who participated in wwII..

heartwrenching

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This is an incredible book which everyone with any interest innthe second world war should read

Best book ever

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Instead of men writing about war the women of Russia have their say about World War 2 and all its tribulations. Their story would be the same the world over throughout history. Some stories can reduce you to tears, others about bravery and fortitude can show what can be done in the face of overwhelming odds and the brutality of war. A book not for the faint hearted but still worth listening too.

Sadness of War

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Is not the case but I certainly and surely love this gruesome gathering of russian women’s’ report from World War II. If I saw this in a movie I wouldn’t believe it, the reality of war and the heartbreaking methods of Stalin are unbelievable. But the way these women tell it and the way Alexievich quietly lets them show their personalities through the horror is masterpiecefully. You get it all in this book: the brutality hope hate courage loss love death life …and most of all: Surviving. I love this book and recommend it fully

To love a war….

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This audio was at time very emotional and greatly informative. Would recommend as a much read for everyone.

Greatly informative.

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A well researched and written historical account of the horrors of war and the suffering of the Russian women who contributed to the victory on the Eastern front. It is difficult not to be moved to tears as you listen to the various personal accounts of the carnage, bereavement, suffering, hardship and courage of those women who provided their stories to make this book possible.

Important Historical Record

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