The book is a first person account of a soldier’s journey, and is based on Artem Chekh’s diary that he wrote while and after his service in the war in Donbas. One of the most important messages the book conveys is that war means pain. Chekh is not showing the reader any heroic combat, focusing instead on the quiet, mundane, and harsh soldier’s life. Chekh masterfully selects the most poignant details of this kind of life.Artem Chekh (1985) is a contemporary Ukrainian writer, author of more than ten books of fiction and essays. Absolute Zero (2017), an account of Chekh’s service in the army in the war in Donbas, is one of his latest books, for which he became a recipient of several prestigious awards in Ukraine, such as the Joseph Conrad Prize (2019), the Gogol Prize (2018), the Voyin Svitla (2018), and the Litaktsent Prize (2017). This is his first book-length translation into English.
Artem Tschech Books
As the title suggests, Awesome Ukraine is more than a guide! Simply put, it is all that is awesome about Ukraine - from national dishes, to historical facts, symbols, mythology, popular culture and much more. This book has a highly stylized design and a unique layout with photos spanning the decades. In it you will find explanations as to: why our national symbols are the blue and yellow flag and the tryzub; why Ukrainians are sentimental towards the nightingale, vyshyvanka and salo; why we are proud of Pylyp Orlyk, Serge Lifar, the Klychko brothers and the AN-225 "Mriya" airplane; why Kazantyp has attracted young people for years; and why the centre of Europe is located in Zakarpattia Oblast.
Rock, Paper, Grenade
- 208 pages
- 8 hours of reading
«Хто ти такий?» – час від часу запитує малолітнього Тимофія його контужений далекою війною ворог і друг, мучитель і наставник Фелікс. «Хто я такий?» – запитує себе наприкінці роману майже дорослий автобіографічний Тимофій. Шлях від першого питання до другого є неминучим для героя будь-якого роману виховання. У випадку Артема Чеха – виховання в тіні відразливого досвіду чужої війни, що раптом виявляється моральною і фізичною підготовкою до власної, хоча якраз її ми у цьому романі не знайдемо. Але, можливо, знайдемо всі ті дитячо-юнацькі ініціації, крізь які нам самим довелося продиратися до зовсім не такого, як очікувалося, дорослого життя.