Featured image:  Kyiv is a city rich in history, with important lessons to learn from / Photo by Viktor Talashuk on Unsplash

Meet author Erin Litteken at our book club meeting on January 25

by Carolyn Ray, Editor, JourneyWoman

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. 

One of the wonders and delights of travel is that we can arrive anywhere and feel a bond and a welcome. Ukraine reminds us that freedom is very precious and can be taken away with a moment’s notice. As experienced travelers, we see the best and worst in the world. We understand that travel is a privilege and that we must do all we can to support human decency and freedom anywhere in the world. As Ukraine fights for its freedom and sovereignty, an understanding the history of this region can remind us that their liberty and ours is connected.

I hope that our January 2023 book selection reinvigorates our passion and interest in Ukraine and reminds us that courage is a necessary attribute in today’s world. Against all odds, the will of the Ukrainian people is fuelling their resolve, led by their inspiring and courageous President Volodymyr Zelensky.

About the Memory Keeper of Kyiv

The Memory Keeper of Kyiv is a story of a young woman named Kayta living in a village in Ukraine whose comfortable life is rocked when Stalin’s activists come into the village to collectivize the village. The independent Ukrainians fought back against collectivization.  This over time led to Stalin’s response with the Holdomor, a forced famine against the Ukrainian resisters.  The Holdomor killed nearly 13 percent of the population in Ukraine from 1932-1933.  This is Katya’s journey of going through the Holdomore, the choices she makes to survive, the horrible things she sees and the fact that she never talks about it for decades as it is so painful.

It also is the story of Cassie, Katya’s granddaughter, who is dealing with her own tragedy, having lost her husband.  As Cassie struggles to move on with her life,  she and her grandmother come together and end up living together to help each other.  It’s their journey, how they both face their grief and loss and try to heal. Cassie learns the story of her grandmother.  The story becomes is a discovery of family and healing.

Book Club Discussion Questions  

We may not get through all of these, but here are some thoughts to start our discussion!

1. What has your own experience with Ukraine been prior to this book? Did the settings feel familiar from your own travels there?
2. What was your favorite passage in the book and why?
3. Why do you think Bobby refused to consider an assisted living facility? How did she come to accept Cassie’s help?
4. After her husband’s death, Cassie felt she had lost her ability to write. Birdie stopped talking. Have you – or has someone close to you – ever felt that words have failed you after a trauma?
5. Katya reminds herself frequently of her father’s words: “Just make it through today. Tomorrow will be better.” Is there a saying or proverb that has helped you in hard times?
6. What do you think the main reason was for the collectivisation of farm production in Ukraine? Was it to divert food to other Soviet countries or was it, as Kolya said, because they “want us all dead.
7. What strategies did the activists use to divide and subdue the villagers?
8. Katya and Kolya ate many atypical things to survive, all of which were based on survivors’ accounts. Which stood out to you the most?
9.  “The forgotten patch of sunflowers, buried in the weeds of the overgrown yard, smiled up at her… Despite everything, they fought to grow, to live, to rise up amidst the ruin of their land….” Like the sunflowers, Katya fought to live – what do you think gave her the strength to rise up
10. How does living with Bobby help Cassie in her own journey through grief
11. What did you think about Birdie’s connection to Alina?
12. Cassie and Anna carried on some family traditions, but they’re unaware of many other facets of their family’s heritage. How much of your family history do you know and what traditions do you carry on? How important are these things to you?
13. Had you ever heard of the Holodomor before reading this book? If not, how do you think such a significant event could escape general knowledge?

“A compelling and intimate story of love and survival. Harrowing and haunting . . . yet, at the same time, it is sensitive, beautiful and inspiring. Everybody should read this story, especially now. I cannot recommend it highly enough.” — Christy Lefteri, author of The Beekeeper of Aleppo

“A stunning portrait of Ukraine and its people, of strength, of endurance, of the fight for survival during the forced famine, the Holodomor, but also a tender story of Katya, a grandmother whose hidden history holds the power to guide her granddaughter through the darkness of loss and grief, toward life and a limitless future. A remarkable read not to be missed.” — Lisa Wingate, author of Before We Were Yours

“This beautifully written snapshot of Ukraine’s history is both timely and heart-rending, sensitively bringing to life the culture of a nation devastated by an enemy invader. How shocking it is that it’s a history that’s being repeated today. And how important a reminder that where there’s life, there’s hope.” — Fiona Valpy, author of The Dressmaker’s Gift

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