A captivating and original street-level account of a vexing and troubled region
Sophie Pinkham lives in New York. Her writing on Russia and Ukraine has appeared in the New Yorker, the New York Times, n+1, the London Review of Books and Foreign Affairs, among other publications.
Sophie Pinkham is a wry, erudite observer of human foibles,
political illusions, and funny hats. In Ukraine and its complex and
tragic confrontation with Russia (and itself), she has found the
perfect subject. Anyone who wants an explanation of Ukraine's
recent history that goes beyond Kremlin propaganda and Western
media oversimplification should read this book.
*Keith Gessen, translator of 'Voices from Chernobyl'*
Essential reading. What makes Black Square superb, to my mind, is
Pinkham's keen eye for the dark comedy and tragedy that mark so
many of her subjects. Her portraits of individual Ukrainians and
Russians are as rich and nuanced as her synthesis of their national
histories and politics. The result is a book whose literary
achievement will outlast its timeliness.
*Anthony Marra, author of 'A Constellation of Vital Phenomena'*
Black Square is as elegant, suggestive, ominous, beautiful, and
deceptively simple as, well, a black square. Perhaps the only thing
more impressive than the sheer number and diversity of people
Sophie Pinkham has spoken to is how deftly she has woven their
stories into a single compulsively readable narrative.
*Elif Batuman, author of 'The Possessed'*
An empathetic and deeply humanising look at troubled times and
dangerous, revolutionary days.
*Peter Pomerantsev, author of 'Nothing is True and Everything is
Possible'*
Black Square is a remarkable historical memoir: humane, shocking
and full of brilliant insight. Sophie Pinkham never succumbs to
easy judgement. Her book is essential reading for anyone seeking a
deeper understanding of the tragic and dangerous confrontation
between Ukraine and Russia.
*Rachel Polonsky, author of 'Molotov's Magic Lantern'*
 |
Ask a Question About this Product More... |
|
