Questions About Voices from Chernobyl: The Oral History of a Nuclear Disaster

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Answered Questions (7)

Why haven't I heard of her books before?

Alberto Probably because the author's works, weren't as widely publicized as they are now, after she won the Nobel Prize for Literature.…moreProbably because the author's works, weren't as widely publicized as they are now, after she won the Nobel Prize for Literature.(less)

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Is it necessary to read the first three books in order to understand this one? I didn't know they existed and so I bought this one :(

Svetlana They are organized as a series because they all talk about the Soviet reality, but they deal with different publics and events and are standalone volu…moreThey are organized as a series because they all talk about the Soviet reality, but they deal with different publics and events and are standalone volumes. (less)

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Which one is better in terms of translation? Voices from Chernobyl: The Oral History of a Nuclear Disaster by Keith Gessen OR Chernobyl Prayer: A Chronicle of the Future by Anna Gunin & Arch Tait?

MargCal I don't know the Gessen book but this translation is excellent as reading goes. There is nothing jarring in the writing, with regards to vocab or gram…moreI don't know the Gessen book but this translation is excellent as reading goes. There is nothing jarring in the writing, with regards to vocab or grammar.
I don't know if any revisions were made made to the original text but there are some additions - events and comments mentioned that are after 1997.(less)

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I haven't explored the works of Svetlana Alexievich yet, is this a good book to start with?

Ilya Kushlianski yes, definitely the one you can start with

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Isn't this called "Chernobyl Prayer'? Or has it had two different titles?

Fedar S. There are two distinct English editions: Voices from Chernobyl: The Oral History of a Nuclear Disaster (US, translated by Keith Gessen) and Chernobyl …moreThere are two distinct English editions: Voices from Chernobyl: The Oral History of a Nuclear Disaster (US, translated by Keith Gessen) and Chernobyl Prayer: A Chronicle of the Future (UK, translated by Anna Gunin and Arch Tait)(less)

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