10 Ukrainian Books in English to Help You Better Understand Ukraine
Just ten years ago, Ukrainian literature was virtually unknown abroad. However, in 2014, after the annexation of Crimea and parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions by military groups from the Russian Federation, the situation began to change. By 2022, following the start of the full-scale invasion of Russian occupation forces into Ukraine, interest in Ukrainian literature had grown exponentially—foreigners acquired rights to more than 230 books by Ukrainian authors.
Here, we present a selection of ten books, available in English (and more), that will help you better understand Ukraine and its people, their perennial quest for freedom and independence, their ancient adversaries, traditions, mentality, and vitality.
"Aeneid" by Ivan Kotliarevsky
Source: Wiki
A classic work of Ukrainian literature, a unique parody retelling of Virgil's "Aeneid," where Ukrainian Cossacks take the place of the Trojans. This poem, written in 1798, is considered the first work published in contemporary Ukrainian. It's not that Ukrainian didn't exist before this—it was the native language for millions of Ukrainians—but the imperial Russian authorities officially prohibited its literary use in the territory they controlled.
Excerpts from the "Aeneid" were first published in English in 1933 in the American newspaper of the Ukrainian diaspora, "The Ukrainian Weekly." The first complete translation appeared only in 2006 in Canada.
"Inside Ukraine: A Portrait of a Country and its People" by Ukraїner
Source: Wiki
A beautifully illustrated book about different regions of Ukraine. A great way to familiarize yourself with the beauty of Ukraine, as the book contains over 350 photographs. In addition to photos, it includes QR codes leading to articles on the Ukraïner website.
The book was created based on the results of a large-scale expedition across Ukraine, which took place from the summer of 2016 to the winter of 2018. The project was initiated by Bohdan Logvynenko. "Inside Ukraine: A Portrait of a Country and its People" topped the sales charts on Amazon in the Hot New Releases category.
"Voroshilovgrad" by Serhiy Zhadan
Source: Wiki
Zhadan is one of the most well-known Ukrainian writers and poets, whose works have been translated into many languages.
The events of the novel take place on the outskirts of Voroshilovgrad (now Luhansk), where the main character goes to deal with the inheritance left after his brother's departure—a gas station and an auto service. But everything turns out to be not so simple.
In the annotation to the novel, it is said: "They come and take everything that belongs to you. They deprive you of your freedom and your territory. They take away your past and your memory. And all you can resist them with is your love and your hatred. Well, and your criminal skills. Stories of Ukrainian raiding are dedicated to."
By the way, on December 12, 2014, on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the award, BBC Ukraine, together with the EBRD cultural program, declared the novel the Book of the Decade.
The novel has been adapted into a film called "Wild Field," (“Dyke Pole”) available for viewing on Netflix.
Additionally, we recommend paying attention to another novel by Zhadan, "Internat" (English title – "The Orphanage"). The novel is dedicated to the war in Donetsk during the ATO (Anti-Terrorist Operation) times.
"Absolute Zero" by Artem Chekh
Source: Wiki
Artem Chekh, whose real surname is Cherednyk, writes in the genre of "youth prose." "Absolute Zero" is a collection of stories dedicated to his experience in the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO) from 2015 to 2016. It comprises the notes of a person on the front lines, with the main focus on the everyday life of someone caught in war. The narratives are based on diaries that Artem kept during his service.
By the way, another novel by Artem Chekh, "Who Are You?" was adapted into a film in 2020. The movie was released under the title "Me and Felix." The international title of the film is "Rock. Paper. Grenade." The director of the film is Artem's wife, Iryna Tsilyk, a scriptwriter, and publicist. Similar to "Absolute Zero," this is practically an autobiographical work, though it narrates not about war but about coming of age during the tumultuous 90s.
"Death and the Penguin" by Andrey Kurkov
Source: Wiki
Andrey Kurkov is one of the most translated Ukrainian authors, and he writes in the widely beloved detective genre. His works have been translated into 37 languages.
"Death and the Penguin" is an intellectual detective novel. The protagonist, journalist Viktor Zolotaryov, receives an editorial assignment to write obituaries for prominent and influential people. The peculiar thing is that these people are alive. For now. The novel unfolds in Ukraine during the 90s, featuring bandits, extortion, insane money, and a penguin.
If you enjoy classic detective novels, pay attention to this novel, which has become very popular in Europe.
"Perverzion" by Yuri Andrukhovych
Source: Wiki
Andrukhovych is called the patriarch of modern Ukrainian literature, and his books have been published in many languages. "Perverzion" is one of Andrukhovych's most famous novels. The protagonist of the novel is Ukrainian poet and artist Stanislav Perfetsky, who travels to Venice to speak at a conference with a promising title, "Postcarnival Nonsense of the World: What's on the Horizon?" The hero, and the reader, are in for a series of grotesque adventures and mystifications in Germany, Poland, Austria, and Venice. Anyone who enjoys postmodern literature should definitely pay attention to this novel.
"Felix Austria" by Sofia Andrukhovych
Source: Wiki
Not only men write books, and not only they gain popularity beyond Ukraine, with Sofia being a shining example. By the way, Sofia Andrukhovych is the daughter of Yuri Andrukhovych, mentioned earlier. One of her most well-known novels, "Felix Austria," has been translated into several languages, including English.
In 2014, the novel won the Book of the Year award according to the BBC, and in 2020, it was adapted into a film. The film, titled "Devoted," is already available for viewing on Netflix.
The genre of the novel is historical melodrama. Its action unfolds in the city of Stanislaviv (now Ivano-Frankivsk) at the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century, which was under the rule of Austria-Hungary. The main characters of the novel are Adele, the daughter of a wealthy German doctor, and her maid, Ukrainian orphan Stefaniya.
The novel is worth reading for all fans of historical melodramas and those who want to better understand the deep connections between Ukraine and Western Europe, its traditions, and mentality.
"Fieldwork in Ukrainian Sex" by Oksana Zabuzhko
Source: Wiki
Another woman on our list. Zabuzhko's books have been translated into more than a dozen languages, and the novel "Fieldwork in Ukrainian Sex" attracted attention from readers and critics immediately upon its release. Some were impressed by bold erotic scenes, while others appreciated reflections on national and female identity.
At the center of the plot are the complex relationships between the poet Oksana and her lover, the artist and sculptor Mykola. This is interspersed with episodes from the life of Oksana's family and friends, as well as reflections on the new Ukrainian history, the identity of Ukrainians, and the essence of love and passion.
"Fieldwork in Ukrainian Sex" is considered one of the first feminist novels in contemporary Ukrainian literature.
"Sweet Darusia: A Tale Of Two Villages" by Maria Matios
Source: Wiki
Another well-known Ukrainian writer, recognized beyond the country's borders. "Sweet Darusia: A Tale Of Two Villages" is one of her most famous novels, and it is historical, even historical-political. The action of the novel unfolds in Bukovyna from 1940 to 1970.
Most of the novel's characters are ordinary people, peasants far from politics. But if you are not interested in politics, it doesn't mean that politics is not interested in you. The main heroine of the novel, Darusia, is considered a mute fool. However, she is not crazy; she suffers from the consequences of a serious emotional-psychological trauma. And she can speak. She just doesn't want to.
"Sweet Darusia" is a quite harsh and tragic novel that tells the story of Darusia and her parents, who were devastated by the repressive apparatus of the Soviet NKVD.
The novel received high praise in many countries. In France, critics commented on the novel: "Maria Matios has an incredibly powerful poetic style. She confidently tells the story, just like in a grand ancient tragedy."
"The Gates of Europe: A History of Ukraine" by Serhii Plokhy
Source: Wiki
We conclude our overview with one of the most comprehensive books on the history of Ukraine published in recent years. If you want to understand why Ukraine is not Russia, be sure to read this book. Renowned Ukrainian and American historian Serhii Plokhy offers a look at the history of Ukraine, primarily as the history of its lands, where geography, ecology, and culture played a decisive role, more than politics.
The book, in an accessible and interesting form, narrates the history of Ukraine from the time of Herodotus to the beginning of the modern war with Russia in the east of the country. It helps better understand the present through the analysis of past events. If you want to learn about Ukraine's challenging path to independence – through serfdom, the dictatorship of the communists, the Holodomor, and World War II – you won't find a better book.