The characters in The Memory Keeper of Kyiv are complex and authentic. They deal with their various emotional traumas in different ways but survive. Katya is particularly endearing because the onset of dementia releases long-suppressed memories of the Holodomor. Like Shari J. Ryan, Erin Litteken neither dwells on the atrocities or sensationalizes them, but describes them matter-of-factly.

The Author's Note at the end of the book describes some interesting parallels between her own family's history and the book's story. Here's a link to a message from the Author: Breathtaking. Devastating. Erin Litteken’s The Memory Keeper of Kyiv chronicles a defining but forgotten moment of Ukrainian history.” Amanda McCrina, author of The Silent UnseenThe thing really impressing me was the resilience and strength the characters show through adversity. Even though half of the novel is set during a famine, the characters often reminisce about their favorite Ukranian foods. I loved learning more about the cuisine of Ukraine.

The propaganda and division sowed by the activists when they arrive is powerful and pits neighbors and family members against each other. How did that contribute to breaking down the fabric of village life? Are there parallels in today’s society?There were some aspects that were spot on. Like teaching 2nd and 3rd generation their language. But nearly all else was pure fiction in both a form and melodrama sense of sentimentality for the Illinois narratives. TRUTHFULLY, almost all sentimentality has been sunk nearly completely in these survivors. And they drink alcohol. ALL. So that's why I pondered for an entire day. Perhaps my reality for these humans has distorted my "taste". But no, I think not there too. Switching like this with so much being taken out of the drift and even more "telling" intros? Not a style and not the writing this situation at all deserves. Also there is something that makes my skin crawl whenever a situational dialogue within any genocide takes a sweetish or melancholy main mood. As when they tell about tailors or musical instrument players in death camps kind of thing. Only the hook to some type of empathy that just isn't in the picture whatsoever within those politico realities or situations. Stalin's the least of all. They have done this to the Holocaust too. Just repellent to me. Perhaps, after 300 days, we have become somewhat numb to the crisis. I hope not. As travellers, it’s important that we are at the forefront of understanding the countries, regions, cities and communities that we travel to.