Viktor Nekrasov was a Russian writer whose work was deeply shaped by his wartime experiences and his critical stance against totalitarian regimes. His early writings, drawing from his time at Stalingrad, offered a stark realism, while his later novels became increasingly critical of the Stalinist and post-Stalinist eras. Nekrasov bravely challenged prevailing ideologies, even speaking out for a monument at Babi Yar, which ultimately led to his expulsion from the Communist Party and emigration. His prose maintains an authentic voice, exploring themes of courage, identity, and the struggle for freedom of thought.
Set in the Ukrainian capital of Kiev during the chaotic winter of 1918-19, The White Guard, Bulgakov's first full-length novel, tells the story of a Russian-speaking family trapped in circumstances that threaten to destroy them.