Through July, we've been publishing book reviews from local young people, as part of Nottingham City of Literature's campaign to give out thousands of free books. To finish this series, Ukrainian NTU graduate Anastasiia Denysiv reviews Seven Million Sunflowers by Malcolm Duffy, a story about the Russia-Ukraine conflict to which Anastasiia reflects upon her personal connection.
Malcolm Duffy's “Seven Million Sunflowers” is a deeply affecting story that dives into the heartbreaking realities of war and relocation.
This book is about Ukrainian teenager Kateryna Kovalenko and her family. Their peaceful life in Kharkiv was shattered when the Russians invaded Ukraine. February 24, 2022 a missile hit the home of 15-year-old Kateryna, which, in addition to the house, almost took the life of the girl, if not for her father, who saved her. After living for weeks in their basement, Kateryna, along with her mother and brother, decided to leave, becoming part of the seven million Ukrainian refugees. The Kovalenko family moves through Poland, Germany, France, and Spain before settling in the United Kingdom, where they hope to stay until the war ends.
This book is more than just an escape story. It's a real portrayal of the challenges refugees face, including cultural differences, the guilt and emotional pain of leaving the father behind to fight, and the difficulties of adjusting to a new life while dealing with the trauma of their experiences.
As a Ukrainian, I read this book with tears in my eyes because it accurately and sensitively portrays the feelings and experiences of those touched by the war. The fear, loss, hope, and longing for peace that the author writes about are very accurate, and his empathetic representation of these feelings resonated deeply with me. Yet there were humorous and joyful times in the story as well, especially with Kateryna's observations about British culture, including the British obsession with the weather and how strangers often address everyone as ‘love’, added a layer of relatability and warmth to the story.
The story also emphasizes the importance of mental health, reminding us that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Kateryna's journey highlights the psychological consequences of war and the importance of addressing mental health concerns, making the story more than just one of survival, but also of healing and resilience.
Overall, "Seven Million Sunflowers" is a significant, timely book that provides a very close look into the life of Ukrainian refugees. This novel is a must-read for anybody interested in understanding the personal impact of global events, as well as the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
You can read more about Big City Reads here, or go straight to the Big City Reads website for more info on how to get hold of the books.
We've teamed up with Big City Reads to offer a unique prize in celebration of the campaign. Enter our competition here to win an original Vern: Custodian of the Universe illustration by author and illustrator Tyrell Waiters.
We have a favour to ask
LeftLion is Nottingham’s meeting point for information about what’s going on in our city, from the established organisations to the grassroots. We want to keep what we do free to all to access, but increasingly we are relying on revenue from our readers to continue. Can you spare a few quid each month to support us?
