Today I am thrilled to be part of the blog tour for The Memory Keeper of Kyiv by Erin Litteken. Thanks go to Rachel’s Random Resources and Boldwood Books for my copy of the book to take part today
In the 1930s, Stalin’s activists marched through the Soviet Union, espousing the greatness of collective farming. It was the first step in creating a man-made famine that, in Ukraine, stole almost 4 million lives. Inspired by the history the world forgot, and the Russian government denies, Erin Litteken reimagines their story.
In 1929, Katya is 16 years old, surrounded by family and in love with the boy next door. When Stalin’s activists arrive in her village, it’s just a few, a little pressure to join the collective. But soon neighbors disappear, those who speak out are never seen again and every new day is uncertain.
Resistance has a price, and as desperate hunger grips the countryside, survival seems more a dream than a possibility. But, even in the darkest times, love beckons.
Seventy years later, a young widow discovers her grandmother’s journal, one that will reveal the long-buried secrets of her family’s haunted past.
This is a story of the resilience of the human spirit, the love that sees us through our darkest hours and the true horror of what happened during the Holodomor.
May we never forget, lest history repeat itself.
As soon as I saw my invite to this Boldwood book tour I knew I had to join. I had heard of the Holodomor from the 1930s, but only due to Russia invading Ukraine. I didn’t know the whole proper story, and then I read The Memory Keeper of Kyiv. I am so interested in historical fiction because I get to see these historical times from a more personal angle. Not just cold, hard facts. It shows how it affected the people of the time.
Set over dual time lines, the first from Katya, in 1930s Ukraine, from where Stalin created a state engineered famine that killed an estimated 3.9 million people. And then we meet Cassie, in 2004 ,who’s from Wisconsin, America.
As always when I read a dual timeline I always find the historical part of the story so captivating. This story felt even more important, because of the current horrors that are happening now in Ukraine. I felt like my heart would be torn apart, with the vivid pictures in my mind of the starvation, death and loss from the famine.
The story in the 2000s is Cassie’s translation of Katya’s diary from the 1930s. The more she reads, the more she gains understanding of just how much strength her grandmother had, to survive through everything she experienced.
I loved finding out about the Ukrainian culture and traditions. I always enjoy being educated and entertained at the same time! Although entertained may not be the correct word here. I personally felt that Ukraine has been through so much and then the invasion of this year just makes me sad and angry. I almost felt honoured to be reading The Memory Keeper of Kyiv. It is a story of bravery, strength, love and loss. One everyone should read I think.
A share of proceeds will be donated to DEC’s Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal.
Purchase Link – https://amzn.to/3MTkVBr
Author Bio
Erin Litteken is a debut novelist with a degree in history and a passion for research. At a young age, she was enthralled by stories of her family’s harrowing experiences in Ukraine before, during and after World War II. Her first historical fiction title, drawing on those experiences, will be published by Boldwood in June 2022. She lives in Illinois, USA with her husband and children.
Social Media Links
Twitter https://twitter.com/ErinLitteken
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/erinlitteken/
Bookbub profile: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/erin-litteken
sharonbeyondthebooks.uk 
I can’t wait to read this book!
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It’s good! Thanks for visiting the blog!
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