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Dziennik czasu wojny
To kontynuacja Dziennika inwazji, w którym autor udokumentował, co działo się w Ukrainie tuż przed rosyjską napaścią i przez pierwsze miesiące wojny.
Wspomnienia zawarte w tej części obejmują okres od 1 sierpnia 2022 roku do 22 kwietnia 2024 roku.
W swoim dzienniku Andriej Kurkow przedstawia rzeczywistość kraju w stanie przedłużającej się wojny. Nie epatuje obrazami walk. Ukazuje, jak na ludzi wpływa stan ciągłego zagrożenia, świadomość, że każdy dzień pochłania coraz więcej istnień, a dawne życie wali się w gruzy. Obserwacje autora są pełne zaskakujących skojarzeń i refleksji, przefiltrowane przez poczucie humoru.
To intrygujący zapis dający czytelnikowi możliwość wniknięcia w codzienność tego, o czym donoszą media. Pozwala lepiej zrozumieć historię i kulturę Ukrainy, która stała się obiektem okrutnego ataku sąsiada o nigdy niezaspokojonych ambicjach imperialnych. Kurkow przedstawia kraj i ludzi, którzy się nie poddają, walczą nie tylko na froncie, ale także na obszarach bezpośrednio nieobjętych działaniami wojennymi, starając się zwyczajnie żyć i przetrwać.
Wspomnienia zawarte w tej części obejmują okres od 1 sierpnia 2022 roku do 22 kwietnia 2024 roku.
W swoim dzienniku Andriej Kurkow przedstawia rzeczywistość kraju w stanie przedłużającej się wojny. Nie epatuje obrazami walk. Ukazuje, jak na ludzi wpływa stan ciągłego zagrożenia, świadomość, że każdy dzień pochłania coraz więcej istnień, a dawne życie wali się w gruzy. Obserwacje autora są pełne zaskakujących skojarzeń i refleksji, przefiltrowane przez poczucie humoru.
To intrygujący zapis dający czytelnikowi możliwość wniknięcia w codzienność tego, o czym donoszą media. Pozwala lepiej zrozumieć historię i kulturę Ukrainy, która stała się obiektem okrutnego ataku sąsiada o nigdy niezaspokojonych ambicjach imperialnych. Kurkow przedstawia kraj i ludzi, którzy się nie poddają, walczą nie tylko na froncie, ale także na obszarach bezpośrednio nieobjętych działaniami wojennymi, starając się zwyczajnie żyć i przetrwać.
- GenresUkraineNonfiction
Paperback
First published July 18, 2024
32 people are currently reading
166 people want to read
About the author
Andrey Kurkov
73 books825 followersAndrey Kurkov is a Russian and Ukrainian writer who writes in Russian (fiction) and Ukrainian (non-fiction).
Kurkov was born in the small town of Budogoszcz, Russia, on April 23, 1961. When he was young, his family moved to Kyiv, Ukraine. In 1983 Kurkov graduated from the Kyiv Pedagogical Academy of Foreign Languages and later also completed a training in Japanese translation.
Among Kurkov's most famous Russian novels are 'Smert postoronnego' (1996, translated into English in 2001 under the title 'Death and the Penguin') and 'Zakon ulitki' (2002, translated into English in 2005 as 'Penguin lost)'. Kurkov's only Ukrainian non-fiction book is 'Ruh "Emanus": istoriya solidarnosti' (2017).
Kurkov was born in the small town of Budogoszcz, Russia, on April 23, 1961. When he was young, his family moved to Kyiv, Ukraine. In 1983 Kurkov graduated from the Kyiv Pedagogical Academy of Foreign Languages and later also completed a training in Japanese translation.
Among Kurkov's most famous Russian novels are 'Smert postoronnego' (1996, translated into English in 2001 under the title 'Death and the Penguin') and 'Zakon ulitki' (2002, translated into English in 2005 as 'Penguin lost)'. Kurkov's only Ukrainian non-fiction book is 'Ruh "Emanus": istoriya solidarnosti' (2017).
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
September 5, 2024
This is the third diary written by Andrey Kurkov expressing his thoughts and experiences of the war in Ukraine. This diary covers the period 01 August 2022 to 22 April 2024.
This book is slightly different to the previous two diaries in thar it does not wholly concentrate on the military aspect of the war but instead explores the life, thoughts and reactions of the Ukrainian people He approaches the situation through his eyes with a satirical, sometimes humourous approach and yet tragic and heartfelt
An enjoyable read
This book is slightly different to the previous two diaries in thar it does not wholly concentrate on the military aspect of the war but instead explores the life, thoughts and reactions of the Ukrainian people He approaches the situation through his eyes with a satirical, sometimes humourous approach and yet tragic and heartfelt
An enjoyable read
July 13, 2025
This is not a review, this is a reminder that day after day RuZZia is still making Ukrainian lives a living hell.
Slava Ukraini Heroyam Slava!
"When you´re in a bomb shelter with a child and there are explosions outside, you need to make sure that the child is breathing normally. There are games you can play to help, like blowing soap bubbles or getting the child to make the sound of air being let out of a balloon. If the explosions a very close, it is important to maintain tactile contact with the child: massage their ears and stroke their cheeks. From time to time, you need to ask the child to pretend to be very tired, to give a big yawn and stretch.
Once the all-clear is sounded, be sure to praise the child for their courage. Tell them, "It´s over! We´re safe! Thank you for being so brave and strong! We heard so many explosions, but we made it through! We weren´t scared!"
Slava Ukraini Heroyam Slava!
"When you´re in a bomb shelter with a child and there are explosions outside, you need to make sure that the child is breathing normally. There are games you can play to help, like blowing soap bubbles or getting the child to make the sound of air being let out of a balloon. If the explosions a very close, it is important to maintain tactile contact with the child: massage their ears and stroke their cheeks. From time to time, you need to ask the child to pretend to be very tired, to give a big yawn and stretch.
Once the all-clear is sounded, be sure to praise the child for their courage. Tell them, "It´s over! We´re safe! Thank you for being so brave and strong! We heard so many explosions, but we made it through! We weren´t scared!"
July 15, 2024
Our Daily War is an articulate, moving, on the ground account of life in Ukraine during the Russian invasion.
This is the second volume in the author’s war diaries and what we have here is a vivid, defiant work, full of raw emotion and packed with surprising details of the Russian assault.
It's a heartfelt read, beginning at the start with the Russian's gathering on the Ukraine border, to air raids, the displacement of millions of people and the inevitable corruption that follows war. But there's also humour here and hope and tales of survival under immense pressure.
If you want to know what life is like in Ukraine today, you must pick your copy up.
I read this in two sittings.
4 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 "s from me.
This is the second volume in the author’s war diaries and what we have here is a vivid, defiant work, full of raw emotion and packed with surprising details of the Russian assault.
It's a heartfelt read, beginning at the start with the Russian's gathering on the Ukraine border, to air raids, the displacement of millions of people and the inevitable corruption that follows war. But there's also humour here and hope and tales of survival under immense pressure.
If you want to know what life is like in Ukraine today, you must pick your copy up.
I read this in two sittings.
4 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 "s from me.
October 8, 2024
This is an informative and enlightening perspective of the Russian war on Ukraine, focusing on how the lives of individuals in the war torn country have been thrown into violence and chaos.
The author has mentioned that he decided to write about the war every day since the Russian offensive began in Feb 22 so the format of this book is similar to a journal with several war related topics being explored through the eyes of one who is on the ground in Kyiv. It covers the period between August '22 and April '24 and the overarching sentiment is a fervent hope that the war will end soon and Ukrainians can go about rebuilding their country and their own lives.
From the often harsh mobilisation policies to the shortage of essentials like power which causes a whole host of issues to the politics on both sides of the war, the author has covered a lot of themes. He also speaks about the people in the occupied parts of Ukraine and how difficult life is for them as they are being forced to accept Russian citizenship or go without basic necessities. He touches on the issue of pro-Russians in Ukraine and how they are being handled, while also detailing the measures that the security and intelligence departments are putting into place to ensure that important information does not get into wrong hands.
He has also written about the ways in which the ordinary citizens are trying to cope with this never-ending intrusion into their lives by finding ways to enjoy simple pleasures and bonding as a community. The way they still attend theatre screenings and go to bars when possible and celebrate festivals even in low key ways so as to not sink into despair is one example of this. The fund-raising efforts are commendable, especially those that recycle items like shell crates and cartridge casings into art that is then sold to raise money.
The trauma of being a country that's faced multiple attacks is highlighted in his writing as is the constant fear of those left behind for their loved ones at the frontline.He also speaks about the impact on children and the youth whose education has been interrupted and the various ways in which the fears of the young kids are soothed by playing games and telling stories during air raids. The imprint of the war and reactions learnt from living through it will definitely affect even the generations to come.
While this is a record of the war time happenings, it is also a look at the culture and spirit of Ukraine through its art, books, celebrations and way of life. Along with a yearning for things to go back to normal, there are some humorous accounts of regular life even during this traumatic time especially the mention of several unscrupulous people who are trying to profit off the war.It's quite a comprehensive look at the country itself, its history, most important people and politics.
It's an eye opening book that the author hopes will bring the news of what is happening in his country to the consciousness of the wider world and it is definitely written well from that viewpoint.
The author has mentioned that he decided to write about the war every day since the Russian offensive began in Feb 22 so the format of this book is similar to a journal with several war related topics being explored through the eyes of one who is on the ground in Kyiv. It covers the period between August '22 and April '24 and the overarching sentiment is a fervent hope that the war will end soon and Ukrainians can go about rebuilding their country and their own lives.
From the often harsh mobilisation policies to the shortage of essentials like power which causes a whole host of issues to the politics on both sides of the war, the author has covered a lot of themes. He also speaks about the people in the occupied parts of Ukraine and how difficult life is for them as they are being forced to accept Russian citizenship or go without basic necessities. He touches on the issue of pro-Russians in Ukraine and how they are being handled, while also detailing the measures that the security and intelligence departments are putting into place to ensure that important information does not get into wrong hands.
He has also written about the ways in which the ordinary citizens are trying to cope with this never-ending intrusion into their lives by finding ways to enjoy simple pleasures and bonding as a community. The way they still attend theatre screenings and go to bars when possible and celebrate festivals even in low key ways so as to not sink into despair is one example of this. The fund-raising efforts are commendable, especially those that recycle items like shell crates and cartridge casings into art that is then sold to raise money.
The trauma of being a country that's faced multiple attacks is highlighted in his writing as is the constant fear of those left behind for their loved ones at the frontline.He also speaks about the impact on children and the youth whose education has been interrupted and the various ways in which the fears of the young kids are soothed by playing games and telling stories during air raids. The imprint of the war and reactions learnt from living through it will definitely affect even the generations to come.
While this is a record of the war time happenings, it is also a look at the culture and spirit of Ukraine through its art, books, celebrations and way of life. Along with a yearning for things to go back to normal, there are some humorous accounts of regular life even during this traumatic time especially the mention of several unscrupulous people who are trying to profit off the war.It's quite a comprehensive look at the country itself, its history, most important people and politics.
It's an eye opening book that the author hopes will bring the news of what is happening in his country to the consciousness of the wider world and it is definitely written well from that viewpoint.
April 10, 2025
Ukrainisches Kriegstagebuch
Die Waffe von Schriftstellern sind Worte. Auch der ukrainische russischsprachige Schriftsteller Andrej Kurkow versucht mit seinem Kriegstagebuch "Im täglichen Krieg" auf diese Weise aufzurütteln, Aufmerksamkeit für die Lage in seinem Land zu wecken, damit die Weltöffentlichkeit sich nicht irgendwann an den Status quo gewöhnt und zur Tagesordnung übergeht. Schreiben heißt erinnern - an den russischen Angriffskrieg, an die Massaker und Kriegsverbrechen, an die Leugnung und Unterdrückung ukrainischer Identität, die Zwangsrussifizierung in den besetzten Gebieten.
Vor Jahren las ich Kurkows wunderbares Buch "Graue Bienen" über einen alten Imker im Donbas - der Krieg hatte aus der Sicht der Ukrainer bereits zu jener Zeit, im Jahr 2014, begonnen. In seinem Kriegstagebuch führt Kurkow seine Leser*innen durch Bombennächte und Luftschutzkeller, durch den Alltag und die Versuche, das Leben weiter zu führen, die Militarisierung und Mobilisierung auf beiden Seiten. Dabei gibt es kein "Right or wrong, my country" - Kurkow geht kritisch mit Zwangsmobilisierungen ins Gericht, die eher an Razzien erinnern, mit Korruption und Kriegsgewinnlern.
Kurkow fühlt sich als Ukrainer, aber seine Sprache ist Russisch. Immer wieder thematisiert er Identität, die nicht immer einfache Lage für diejenigen, die aufgrund ihrer Sprache plötzlich unter Generalverdacht geraten können, nicht ukrainisch genug sein zu können, womöglich illoyale fünfte Kolonne. Er weiß sich als privilegiert - einerseits wegen seiner Rolle als bekannter Schriftsteller, andererseits wegen seines Alters, da ihm keine Einberufung droht. Er kann sich teilweise ins Ausland zurückziehen, dort schreiben. Andere haben diese Möglichkeit nicht.
"Im täglichen Krieg" geht immer wieder auf die ukrainische Kulturszene ein, auf den Versuch, kulturelles Leben auch unter Kriegsbedingungen aufrecht zu erhalten, auf das Schicksal von Kolleginnen und Kollegen, die bei Luftangriffen und Massakern ums Leben kamen und ihren Versuch, Manuskripte zu retten für eine Zeit nach der russischen Besatzung. Kurkows Buch ist keine Kriegsreportage, sondern eine subjektive Beobachtung des Kriegsalltags weitab von der Front. Auf Pathos und allzu große Emotionen verzichtet er, doch gerade mit dieser sachlich-zurückhaltenden und doch persönlichen Darstellung überzeugt sein Buch.
Die Waffe von Schriftstellern sind Worte. Auch der ukrainische russischsprachige Schriftsteller Andrej Kurkow versucht mit seinem Kriegstagebuch "Im täglichen Krieg" auf diese Weise aufzurütteln, Aufmerksamkeit für die Lage in seinem Land zu wecken, damit die Weltöffentlichkeit sich nicht irgendwann an den Status quo gewöhnt und zur Tagesordnung übergeht. Schreiben heißt erinnern - an den russischen Angriffskrieg, an die Massaker und Kriegsverbrechen, an die Leugnung und Unterdrückung ukrainischer Identität, die Zwangsrussifizierung in den besetzten Gebieten.
Vor Jahren las ich Kurkows wunderbares Buch "Graue Bienen" über einen alten Imker im Donbas - der Krieg hatte aus der Sicht der Ukrainer bereits zu jener Zeit, im Jahr 2014, begonnen. In seinem Kriegstagebuch führt Kurkow seine Leser*innen durch Bombennächte und Luftschutzkeller, durch den Alltag und die Versuche, das Leben weiter zu führen, die Militarisierung und Mobilisierung auf beiden Seiten. Dabei gibt es kein "Right or wrong, my country" - Kurkow geht kritisch mit Zwangsmobilisierungen ins Gericht, die eher an Razzien erinnern, mit Korruption und Kriegsgewinnlern.
Kurkow fühlt sich als Ukrainer, aber seine Sprache ist Russisch. Immer wieder thematisiert er Identität, die nicht immer einfache Lage für diejenigen, die aufgrund ihrer Sprache plötzlich unter Generalverdacht geraten können, nicht ukrainisch genug sein zu können, womöglich illoyale fünfte Kolonne. Er weiß sich als privilegiert - einerseits wegen seiner Rolle als bekannter Schriftsteller, andererseits wegen seines Alters, da ihm keine Einberufung droht. Er kann sich teilweise ins Ausland zurückziehen, dort schreiben. Andere haben diese Möglichkeit nicht.
"Im täglichen Krieg" geht immer wieder auf die ukrainische Kulturszene ein, auf den Versuch, kulturelles Leben auch unter Kriegsbedingungen aufrecht zu erhalten, auf das Schicksal von Kolleginnen und Kollegen, die bei Luftangriffen und Massakern ums Leben kamen und ihren Versuch, Manuskripte zu retten für eine Zeit nach der russischen Besatzung. Kurkows Buch ist keine Kriegsreportage, sondern eine subjektive Beobachtung des Kriegsalltags weitab von der Front. Auf Pathos und allzu große Emotionen verzichtet er, doch gerade mit dieser sachlich-zurückhaltenden und doch persönlichen Darstellung überzeugt sein Buch.
May 26, 2025
Kurkov jest rosyjskojęzycznym Ukraińcem, jego powieści są tłumaczone z rosyjskiego na ukraiński. Po ucieczce Janukowycza w 2014 w Rosji wydano zakaz sprowadzania jego książek do księgarń i od tamtej pory jest w Rosji nie wydawany. W 2022 roku Kurkov zdecydował, że nie będzie wydawał książek po rosyjsku w Ukrainie, jedynie w języku ukraińskim.
Pisanie Kurkova, odmierzane kolejnymi tygodniami rosyjskiej agresji, jest bardzo spokojne i wyważone; zdania mają łagodny rytm, nie przyspieszają, nie ma w nich form bardzo emocjonalnych. To mocno odróżnia pisarstwo Kurkova od np. wydanego ostatnio przez wydawnictwo Czarne Ołeksandra Mycheda ("Kryptonim dla Hioba").
Kurkov dokumentuje codzienność wojny w Ukrainie, np.:
- przerwy w dostawach prądu w Kijowie: 03.00-06.00 rano, 12:00-16:00, 20:00-24.00. Nie ma wtedy WiFi, nie można oglądać internetu. Z powodu ograniczeń prądu wróciło zapotrzebowanie na świece. Paląca się świeca zwalnia tempo życia. Nigdy "nie przechodzi się obok niej zbyt szybko, bo podmuch powietrza mógłby ją zgasić". Wielu pisarzy przestawia się na pisanie ręczne, także piórem.
- nie wyrzuca się metalowych puszek, ponieważ robi się z nich świeczki okopowe, ręcznej roboty świeczki z parafiny i tektury.
- w dawnych schronach przeciwbombowych, w piwnicach, otwiera się bary.
- W niektórych windach w Kijowie zostawia się pudełka z produktami pierwszej potrzeby: latarką, jedzeniem, tabletkami na obniżenie ciśnienia, nawet krzesła; chodzi o to, że w czasie wyłączenia prądu winda staje.
- Rektor Uniwersytetu Kijowskiego im. Borysa Hrynczenki zastrzelił się w wieku 63 lat; napisał, że nie może tak dłużej żyć w terrorze...
- Rosjanie chwalą się, że sprowadzili na okupowane tereny ponad 3 miliony książek rosyjskich pisarzy: Tołstoja, Turgieniewa, Dostojewskiego i innych.
Wiele tych informacji nie przebija się na nagłówki portali internetowych i gazet w Polsce. Kurkov dba o zachowanie balansu pomiędzy perspektywą mikro, objawiającą się w opisach doświadczeń pojedynczych ludzi, i perspektywą makro, obejmującą na przykład szerszy kontekst polityczny Ukrainy, czy losy uciekinierów z Ukrainy w wielu innych krajach.
Pisanie Kurkova, odmierzane kolejnymi tygodniami rosyjskiej agresji, jest bardzo spokojne i wyważone; zdania mają łagodny rytm, nie przyspieszają, nie ma w nich form bardzo emocjonalnych. To mocno odróżnia pisarstwo Kurkova od np. wydanego ostatnio przez wydawnictwo Czarne Ołeksandra Mycheda ("Kryptonim dla Hioba").
Kurkov dokumentuje codzienność wojny w Ukrainie, np.:
- przerwy w dostawach prądu w Kijowie: 03.00-06.00 rano, 12:00-16:00, 20:00-24.00. Nie ma wtedy WiFi, nie można oglądać internetu. Z powodu ograniczeń prądu wróciło zapotrzebowanie na świece. Paląca się świeca zwalnia tempo życia. Nigdy "nie przechodzi się obok niej zbyt szybko, bo podmuch powietrza mógłby ją zgasić". Wielu pisarzy przestawia się na pisanie ręczne, także piórem.
- nie wyrzuca się metalowych puszek, ponieważ robi się z nich świeczki okopowe, ręcznej roboty świeczki z parafiny i tektury.
- w dawnych schronach przeciwbombowych, w piwnicach, otwiera się bary.
- W niektórych windach w Kijowie zostawia się pudełka z produktami pierwszej potrzeby: latarką, jedzeniem, tabletkami na obniżenie ciśnienia, nawet krzesła; chodzi o to, że w czasie wyłączenia prądu winda staje.
- Rektor Uniwersytetu Kijowskiego im. Borysa Hrynczenki zastrzelił się w wieku 63 lat; napisał, że nie może tak dłużej żyć w terrorze...
- Rosjanie chwalą się, że sprowadzili na okupowane tereny ponad 3 miliony książek rosyjskich pisarzy: Tołstoja, Turgieniewa, Dostojewskiego i innych.
Wiele tych informacji nie przebija się na nagłówki portali internetowych i gazet w Polsce. Kurkov dba o zachowanie balansu pomiędzy perspektywą mikro, objawiającą się w opisach doświadczeń pojedynczych ludzi, i perspektywą makro, obejmującą na przykład szerszy kontekst polityczny Ukrainy, czy losy uciekinierów z Ukrainy w wielu innych krajach.
August 9, 2024
An important account of life in war-torn Ukraine
This real-life account of living in the Ukraine during the current war gives an insight beyond the news headlines and the front line fighting.
It's difficult to review a book like this. It is a true account, written by someone living under these conditions, trying to show how the daily toll of the war affects him and those around him. Unlike fiction where we edit out details and try to narrow the focus, this book provides a thorough account and covers all aspects of life and society. It means that the book feels a little disjointed at times.
However, this is an important book. I can't imagine writing a book like this, under these conditions. The physical and emotional toll it must take. But, I'm glad he did.
It lays bare the layers of society with an honesty that is becoming rare in this world. We see the honest, resilient people of Ukraine trying to keep their society together while also seeing the harm of corruption and betrayal. It's a book that should be read. A book that shows people resisting the bullies - Putin and his cronies - and their aggression by living as best they can.
It is also clear that bullies need their enablers to be effective. Those who live in the Ukraine and betray its people, those who make the commands happen, and those who put self-interest and greed ahead of all else. Why anyone would choose war over peace is hard to understand.
Some quotes from the book that I found moving are:
"War is a production line of death."
"Any war ends with a counting of the dead and wounded, the number of destroyed houses, schools and universities, churches, and museums. This terrible inventory..."
"We were taught from childhood that good triumphs over evil. Only we were not told what the price of such a victory could be."
This book helped me to gain a fuller understanding of what the people in Ukraine are experiencing.
This real-life account of living in the Ukraine during the current war gives an insight beyond the news headlines and the front line fighting.
It's difficult to review a book like this. It is a true account, written by someone living under these conditions, trying to show how the daily toll of the war affects him and those around him. Unlike fiction where we edit out details and try to narrow the focus, this book provides a thorough account and covers all aspects of life and society. It means that the book feels a little disjointed at times.
However, this is an important book. I can't imagine writing a book like this, under these conditions. The physical and emotional toll it must take. But, I'm glad he did.
It lays bare the layers of society with an honesty that is becoming rare in this world. We see the honest, resilient people of Ukraine trying to keep their society together while also seeing the harm of corruption and betrayal. It's a book that should be read. A book that shows people resisting the bullies - Putin and his cronies - and their aggression by living as best they can.
It is also clear that bullies need their enablers to be effective. Those who live in the Ukraine and betray its people, those who make the commands happen, and those who put self-interest and greed ahead of all else. Why anyone would choose war over peace is hard to understand.
Some quotes from the book that I found moving are:
"War is a production line of death."
"Any war ends with a counting of the dead and wounded, the number of destroyed houses, schools and universities, churches, and museums. This terrible inventory..."
"We were taught from childhood that good triumphs over evil. Only we were not told what the price of such a victory could be."
This book helped me to gain a fuller understanding of what the people in Ukraine are experiencing.
February 26, 2025
Andriej Kurkow należy do tych ukraińskich pisarzy współczesnych, którzy potrafią stworzyć dialog ze swoim czytelnikiem. Jego proza jest konkretna, bogata w szczegóły, wywodząca się z tradycyjnego, lecz jakościowego warsztatu literackiego. Jest on jednym z moich ulubionych pisarzy współczesnych, bo sięgając po jego książki wiem, że się nie zawiodę.
Może się wydawać, że o wojnie w Ukrainie powiedziano już wszystko, jednak Kurkov dodaje własną cegiełkę, w której łączy dziennik, reportaż i beletrystykę. Oprócz wiadomości z frontu, opowiada również o Ukrainie, przybliża jej historię, miejsca, odczucia związane z kolejnymi zmianami zachodzącymi w społeczeństwie czasów wojny. Pokazuje jak zmienia się kraj, ludzie, nawiązuje do swojej tożsamości, ale też wyjaśnia jak na przestrzeni czasu zmieniała się ukraińska tożsamość narodowa i jak trudne jest to położenie względem swojego najeźdźcy, z którym łączą go nierozdarte więzy, poprzez ludzi, wspólną historię i kulturę. Z jego relacji wynika, że nie ma już kroku do tyłu w tych relacjach i Ukraina musi kontynuować swój marsz ku niezależności i integralności ziem ale też tożsamości narodowej.
Kurkow potrafi pisać o swoim kraju, o kulturze, historii czy to w fikcyjnym obrazie, czy reportażowym pokazuje Ukrainę w pozytywnym świetle, i pomimo ciągle trwającego tam konfliktu chce się poznawać ten kraj, a książki takie jak ta umacniają tę chęć.
Polecam.
Dziękuję wydawnictwu za egzemplarz książki.
Może się wydawać, że o wojnie w Ukrainie powiedziano już wszystko, jednak Kurkov dodaje własną cegiełkę, w której łączy dziennik, reportaż i beletrystykę. Oprócz wiadomości z frontu, opowiada również o Ukrainie, przybliża jej historię, miejsca, odczucia związane z kolejnymi zmianami zachodzącymi w społeczeństwie czasów wojny. Pokazuje jak zmienia się kraj, ludzie, nawiązuje do swojej tożsamości, ale też wyjaśnia jak na przestrzeni czasu zmieniała się ukraińska tożsamość narodowa i jak trudne jest to położenie względem swojego najeźdźcy, z którym łączą go nierozdarte więzy, poprzez ludzi, wspólną historię i kulturę. Z jego relacji wynika, że nie ma już kroku do tyłu w tych relacjach i Ukraina musi kontynuować swój marsz ku niezależności i integralności ziem ale też tożsamości narodowej.
Kurkow potrafi pisać o swoim kraju, o kulturze, historii czy to w fikcyjnym obrazie, czy reportażowym pokazuje Ukrainę w pozytywnym świetle, i pomimo ciągle trwającego tam konfliktu chce się poznawać ten kraj, a książki takie jak ta umacniają tę chęć.
Polecam.
Dziękuję wydawnictwu za egzemplarz książki.
August 2, 2024
This is a fascinating behind the scenes account of daily life in the war zone that Ukraine has become. Although, the writer lives in Kyiv, he also recounts stories of life in areas around the front line and stories of those who have escaped from behind the lines to tell how Russia is treating those who now find themselves in Russian territory. Having to give up their Ukrainian passport and become Russian in order to access schools, healthcare or pensions.
On life in the Ukrainian governed areas, the inhabitants learn to live their life deprived of sleep due to frequent air raid warnings and to manage the shortages and power cuts with admirable fortitude. Theatres still put on productions and concert halls keep going. Bars and restaurants move underground and swimmers learn to check for mines or unexploded ordinance on the beach front.
Against this determination to keep calm and carry on, there is the death toll, the friends who have died, not always because of injuries but due to a reluctance to access health care that is needed for those injured fighting.
I have previously read several books by the author and have been struck by the gentle humour with which he regards the world around him, but in this book, even he is struggling to find humour. His writing really brings home the relentless day-in, day-out toll that war delivers and the slow sapping of optimism.
On life in the Ukrainian governed areas, the inhabitants learn to live their life deprived of sleep due to frequent air raid warnings and to manage the shortages and power cuts with admirable fortitude. Theatres still put on productions and concert halls keep going. Bars and restaurants move underground and swimmers learn to check for mines or unexploded ordinance on the beach front.
Against this determination to keep calm and carry on, there is the death toll, the friends who have died, not always because of injuries but due to a reluctance to access health care that is needed for those injured fighting.
I have previously read several books by the author and have been struck by the gentle humour with which he regards the world around him, but in this book, even he is struggling to find humour. His writing really brings home the relentless day-in, day-out toll that war delivers and the slow sapping of optimism.
August 11, 2024
This is the first of Kurkov’s works that I have read. It is essentially an account of various aspects of life in Ukraine since the Russian invasion in February 2022. It is divided into dated chapters ranging from August 2022 to 22 April 2024, although it is more a series of short self-contained essays than a diary. Although I read the essays in chronological order, I think you could dip in and out at random if you prefer.
Each essay deals with a fairly specific aspect of life before and after the Russian invasion, in both practical and cultural terms. For example, I learned from the chapter “War, Mushrooms and Watermelons” that the Kherson region was famous for growing watermelons, but having had to abandon their farms in that area, the determined growers have managed to transfer their activity across the country to the Transcarpathian region in the west of Ukraine. It is disheartening to read what is happening both in Kyiv and other areas of Ukraine, from the viewpoint of someone on the ground but not at the battlefront, but also heartening to hear how many Ukrainians are getting on with life as best they can under the difficult circumstances, determined not to be beaten.
The writer’s tone is sometimes resigned, sometimes almost amusing, but always informative on topics that we don’t hear about in the news coverage. I learned a great deal about Ukraine the country, its people and its culture, both before the invasion and as life changed afterwards.
This is not an easy read, but a fascinating one, and I thoroughly recommend it.
Each essay deals with a fairly specific aspect of life before and after the Russian invasion, in both practical and cultural terms. For example, I learned from the chapter “War, Mushrooms and Watermelons” that the Kherson region was famous for growing watermelons, but having had to abandon their farms in that area, the determined growers have managed to transfer their activity across the country to the Transcarpathian region in the west of Ukraine. It is disheartening to read what is happening both in Kyiv and other areas of Ukraine, from the viewpoint of someone on the ground but not at the battlefront, but also heartening to hear how many Ukrainians are getting on with life as best they can under the difficult circumstances, determined not to be beaten.
The writer’s tone is sometimes resigned, sometimes almost amusing, but always informative on topics that we don’t hear about in the news coverage. I learned a great deal about Ukraine the country, its people and its culture, both before the invasion and as life changed afterwards.
This is not an easy read, but a fascinating one, and I thoroughly recommend it.
March 5, 2025
Ten dziennik obejmuje okres od 1 sierpnia 2022 do 22 kwietnia 2024 roku i dokumentuje wojnę, jak toczy się na Ukrainie. Nie jest to jednak relacja z pierwszej linii frontu. To bardziej opis tego jak z nią radzą sobie zwykli mieszkańcy naszego wschodniego sąsiada. Te wspomnienia napisane są z lekką ironią i poczuciem humoru, bo okazuje się, że mogą one również być bronią przeciwko okupantowi i jego działaniom. Przejmująca literatura faktu, pokazująca jak ci, którzy zostali na Ukrainie próbują zachować pozory normalności i zwyczajnie żyć, mimo ciągłego zagrożenia i ataków ze stronny wroga. Książka zwraca też uwagę na sytuację polityczną, wskazując na to jak Zachód reaguje na ten konflikt i co stało się z dużą częścią Ukraińców po jego wybuchu. To też tekst pełen nadziei w zwycięstwo i pokój, autor ani na chwilę ich nie traci, mimo sytuacji, w jakiej obecnie on i jego pobratymcy się znaleźli. Zwraca jednak uwagę, że wojna to koszmar i na jej okrucieństwa, do których nie możemy przywyknąć, a trochę tak się stało, biorąc pod uwagę, że trwa już kilka lat. O tym nie wolno nam zapomnieć. To książka z gatunku tych, które pozwalają nabrać szerszej perspektywy i nieco poukładać sobie w głowie, doskonałe, a może nawet lepsze uzupełnienie wiadomości jakie znamy tylko z mediów. Serdecznie polecam!!! Za książkę dziękuję @oficyna_noir_sur_blanc
July 22, 2024
This is a book filled with some much, some I knew but other parts I didn't. Within this book you will read about Ukrainian history culture and how people look at them. For many years there has been attempts to force Ukrainians to forget their native language, including the songs that they have been singing and been past down through family to family. As well as the past it also looks at the present, Russian invasion of Crimean in 2014 to life how it is now for the Ukraine since 2022 and Putin.
I read the book over a few days, and I have to say it is emotional in parts, especially how they are treating the POW, but Putin has lied and convinced so many people/soldiers that the Ukrainians will treat them badly.
There is so much in this book that you have to read it yourself to appreciate just how much work and detail Kurkov has put into it.
I read the book over a few days, and I have to say it is emotional in parts, especially how they are treating the POW, but Putin has lied and convinced so many people/soldiers that the Ukrainians will treat them badly.
There is so much in this book that you have to read it yourself to appreciate just how much work and detail Kurkov has put into it.
July 23, 2024
This was an eyeopener about a country at war I couldn't believe that they had holiday makers still visiting the area and theatre trips in an afternoon. Life goes on around the fighting and bombing but shows you how resilient the Ukraines are and will fight for as long as it takes to win their country back. Putin has lied to his armed forces and his people trying to get them to inform on the Ukrainian people but not all Russian's believe him and do try to help without getting caught. Having to live not knowing who you can trust or what your future will be and on the receiving end of daily bombing must be horrendous and unimaginable but this could be anywhere in the world soon. Putin is dangerous he is on a par with Hitler & Stalin and if he gets his way we will be heading for WW3 it's scary stuff and everyone should read this.
April 25, 2025
Extrem wichtige Lektüre, aber ich habe was anderes erwartet
Seit mehr als 10 Jahren herrscht Krieg in der Ukraine. Dieses Buch nimmt den Leser mit vor allem in die Kultur und Kunstszene der Ukraine.
Meine Meinung
Nachdem ich den Klappentext gelesen habe, habe ich was anderes erwartet. In diesem Buch lese ich hauptsächlich extrem viele Namen wer wann und was in der Kulturszene gemacht hat. Ich lese wenig persönliches und tiefgründiges, wie es Menschen und Tieren dort geht. Da der Autor auch im Ausland lebt, werden seine Geschichten hoffentlich auch dort gelesen.
Schade, denn ich finde es unglaublich wichtig, dass wir Leser diesen Krieg nicht vergessen oder als normal empfinden. Was soll mir das sagen, dass ich der erste Leser bin, der hier eine Bewertung schreibt?
Leider kann ich nur drei Sterne für dieses Buch vergeben
Seit mehr als 10 Jahren herrscht Krieg in der Ukraine. Dieses Buch nimmt den Leser mit vor allem in die Kultur und Kunstszene der Ukraine.
Meine Meinung
Nachdem ich den Klappentext gelesen habe, habe ich was anderes erwartet. In diesem Buch lese ich hauptsächlich extrem viele Namen wer wann und was in der Kulturszene gemacht hat. Ich lese wenig persönliches und tiefgründiges, wie es Menschen und Tieren dort geht. Da der Autor auch im Ausland lebt, werden seine Geschichten hoffentlich auch dort gelesen.
Schade, denn ich finde es unglaublich wichtig, dass wir Leser diesen Krieg nicht vergessen oder als normal empfinden. Was soll mir das sagen, dass ich der erste Leser bin, der hier eine Bewertung schreibt?
Leider kann ich nur drei Sterne für dieses Buch vergeben
August 15, 2024
Sometimes you have to pick up a book that may take you out of your comfort zone and there was just something about Our Daily War by Andrey Kurkov that made me step away from the fiction books that I love and read this honest and surprising book about life during the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia.
We all think we know what is going on from what we see on the news, but the reality is that those reports do not really convey life as it is, and the reports are not as frequent as they were at the start. If you are expecting a book that details just about the fighting then you will be surprised by what the author shares with you.
Told as diary entries Andrey Kurkov takes you from 01st August 2022 to 22nd April 2024 letting you into the lives of the people of Ukraine as they learn to live with the Air raids, loss of their homes and loved ones. Things that we take for granted such as being able to use washing machines and dishwashers become a luxury as they try to conserve electricity. Things as basic as heating are not guaranteed.
Throughout the book you get the overwhelming feeling that they have no intention of giving up hope, that things will get better and eventually they will get the outcome they all believe is coming. The honesty of this book shows when things are not as they should be, that even when trying to do good there are still those who are open to corruption thinking of themselves instead of a country who needs them to stand up for them.
The fact that you also get to learn how they are rebuilding their lives whilst the war rages on is nothing short of amazing. Admittedly a lot of the good is happening underground where it is safe should the bombing start but it is there and where they find the courage to do this then there will always be a fight to win.
We also get to learn more about the events that took place in 2014 and how things as basic as the Ukrainian language was discouraged and outlawed, where people in annexed areas had to take Russian citizenship to be able to live, but then faced being called up to fight for Russia and be branded as traitors is definitely not something that is widely known and it should be.
For all the honesty in this book the only thing that the author regrets is that he was not able to comment on the end of the war but hopefully one day he will be able to do just that and the people of Ukraine can finally rebuild their lives.
We all think we know what is going on from what we see on the news, but the reality is that those reports do not really convey life as it is, and the reports are not as frequent as they were at the start. If you are expecting a book that details just about the fighting then you will be surprised by what the author shares with you.
Told as diary entries Andrey Kurkov takes you from 01st August 2022 to 22nd April 2024 letting you into the lives of the people of Ukraine as they learn to live with the Air raids, loss of their homes and loved ones. Things that we take for granted such as being able to use washing machines and dishwashers become a luxury as they try to conserve electricity. Things as basic as heating are not guaranteed.
Throughout the book you get the overwhelming feeling that they have no intention of giving up hope, that things will get better and eventually they will get the outcome they all believe is coming. The honesty of this book shows when things are not as they should be, that even when trying to do good there are still those who are open to corruption thinking of themselves instead of a country who needs them to stand up for them.
The fact that you also get to learn how they are rebuilding their lives whilst the war rages on is nothing short of amazing. Admittedly a lot of the good is happening underground where it is safe should the bombing start but it is there and where they find the courage to do this then there will always be a fight to win.
We also get to learn more about the events that took place in 2014 and how things as basic as the Ukrainian language was discouraged and outlawed, where people in annexed areas had to take Russian citizenship to be able to live, but then faced being called up to fight for Russia and be branded as traitors is definitely not something that is widely known and it should be.
For all the honesty in this book the only thing that the author regrets is that he was not able to comment on the end of the war but hopefully one day he will be able to do just that and the people of Ukraine can finally rebuild their lives.
August 4, 2024
Fascinating, interesting, shocking.
It was quite inspiring reading about how stoic the Ukranian people are, and how ruthless the invaders are.
The format of the book was a bit unusual and i found it meadering without a good structure, hence not a five.
It was quite inspiring reading about how stoic the Ukranian people are, and how ruthless the invaders are.
The format of the book was a bit unusual and i found it meadering without a good structure, hence not a five.
August 26, 2024
Beautifully written, staggeringly emotional, this is a chronicle of resilience. Kurkov ably conveys the daily struggles, fears, and hopes of ordinary people caught in the crossfire of a war they didn't ask for.
December 9, 2024
a sad insight in to the current situation of the war in Ukraine told by Andrey who puts a lot of emotion into his books and i always enjoy learning something new from reading his books
July 19, 2025
Valt vrijwel samen met mijn tijd in Kyiv. Heel herkenbaar.
September 17, 2025
Antiwar
As ever, Kurkov is a formidable writer and gives us in the West an inkling of Putins aggression against Ukraine.
As ever, Kurkov is a formidable writer and gives us in the West an inkling of Putins aggression against Ukraine.
November 26, 2025
An intimate view into the realities of life during war.
October 22, 2024
While we hear about the war in Ukraine on the news and read about it in the papers, I didn’t understand how little I actually knew until I read Andrey Kurkov’s Our Daily War. One thing that struck me was how much of daily life goes on despite everything. The mundane aspects of life accompany the harsh realities of bombings, air raids and front line fighting. I found parts of this book unsettling and so it wasn’t an easy read. However I am thankful to have learnt more about the people of Ukraine and my heart broke a little when I read that when the Russians captured an area they took away the Ukrainians citizenship and forced them to become Russian. The strength and determination of the Ukrainian people to retain their culture will always remain in my heart.
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