The Sky Unwashed

Fiction & Literature, Literary
Cover of the book The Sky Unwashed by Irene Zabytko, Algonquin Books
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Irene Zabytko ISBN: 9781616202439
Publisher: Algonquin Books Publication: March 31, 2000
Imprint: Algonquin Books Language: English
Author: Irene Zabytko
ISBN: 9781616202439
Publisher: Algonquin Books
Publication: March 31, 2000
Imprint: Algonquin Books
Language: English

Early on an April Saturday in 1986 in a farm village in Ukraine, widow Marusia Petrenko and her family awake to a day of traditional wedding preparations. Marusia bakes her famous wedding bread-a korovai-in the communal village oven to take to her neighbor's granddaughter's reception. Late that night, after all the dancing and drinking, Marusia's son Yurko leaves for his shift at the nuclear power plant at Chernobyl.

In the morning, the air has a strange metallic taste. The cat is oddly listless. The priest doesn't show up for services. Yurko doesn't come home from work. Nobody know what's happened (and they won't for many days), but things have changed for the Petrenkos-forever.

Inspired by true events, this unusual, unexpected novel tells how-and why-Marusia defies the Soviet government's permanent evacuation of her deeply contaminated village and returns to live out her days in the only home she's ever known. Alone in the deserted town, she struggles up into the church bell tower to ring the bells twice every day just in case someone else has returned. And they have, one by one/ In the end, five intrepid old women-the village babysi-band together for survival and to confront the Soviet officials responsible for their fate. And, in the midst of desolation, a tenacious hold on life chimes forth.

Poignant and truthful and triumphant, this timeless story is about ordinary people who do more than simply "survive."

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Early on an April Saturday in 1986 in a farm village in Ukraine, widow Marusia Petrenko and her family awake to a day of traditional wedding preparations. Marusia bakes her famous wedding bread-a korovai-in the communal village oven to take to her neighbor's granddaughter's reception. Late that night, after all the dancing and drinking, Marusia's son Yurko leaves for his shift at the nuclear power plant at Chernobyl.

In the morning, the air has a strange metallic taste. The cat is oddly listless. The priest doesn't show up for services. Yurko doesn't come home from work. Nobody know what's happened (and they won't for many days), but things have changed for the Petrenkos-forever.

Inspired by true events, this unusual, unexpected novel tells how-and why-Marusia defies the Soviet government's permanent evacuation of her deeply contaminated village and returns to live out her days in the only home she's ever known. Alone in the deserted town, she struggles up into the church bell tower to ring the bells twice every day just in case someone else has returned. And they have, one by one/ In the end, five intrepid old women-the village babysi-band together for survival and to confront the Soviet officials responsible for their fate. And, in the midst of desolation, a tenacious hold on life chimes forth.

Poignant and truthful and triumphant, this timeless story is about ordinary people who do more than simply "survive."

More books from Algonquin Books

Cover of the book Phone Calls from the Dead by Irene Zabytko
Cover of the book The Road from Gap Creek by Irene Zabytko
Cover of the book You Are The Everything by Irene Zabytko
Cover of the book House-Dreams by Irene Zabytko
Cover of the book The Essential Klezmer by Irene Zabytko
Cover of the book Ghostly Echoes by Irene Zabytko
Cover of the book Young Jane Young by Irene Zabytko
Cover of the book Love and Death in the Sunshine State by Irene Zabytko
Cover of the book A Curable Romantic by Irene Zabytko
Cover of the book The Half-Mammals of Dixie by Irene Zabytko
Cover of the book Prairie Fever by Irene Zabytko
Cover of the book Life Among Giants by Irene Zabytko
Cover of the book Lamb in Love by Irene Zabytko
Cover of the book Elmet by Irene Zabytko
Cover of the book The One-Cent Magenta by Irene Zabytko
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy