Ukraine: remember also me Testimonies from the war

Twenty-nine individuals share their moving and powerful testimonies of experiencing the war in Ukraine with artist Butler (Drawn across Borders, 2021), who accompanies the accounts with delicately sketched ink-and-watercolor portraits and scenes of war-torn Ukrainian cities. Each profile states the person's first name, age, title (e.g., matriarch, locksmith, etc.), and city of residence, after which Butler personably sets the scene for the ensuing conversation, supplying just enough context to give the shared story added resonance. A mother and her adult son from Bucha explain how Dima--her son, his brother--was shot and killed by Russian soldiers while simply sitting on their doorstep. Volodymyr, 7, and his father were interviewed as Volodymyr was recovering from being shot in the head by their own soldiers at a checkpoint where his mother was killed. An 86-year-old widower from Mariupol said, "This is a brother-killing war. A war where Russian-speaking people are killing Russian-speaking people." Despite their experiences, nearly everyone is optimistic that they will win the war. They may share their stories matter-of-factly, but their accounts are affecting and vivid nonetheless and a testament to the Ukrainian people's courage and resilience. A moving oral history that humanizes war. Additional features include a foreword by Oksana Markarova (Ambassador of Ukraine to the U.S.), a map of Ukraine, an afterword, and artwork notes.

This work of war reportage presents illustrations, reflections, and interviews with everyday people who were in Ukraine when Russian forces attacked the country in February 2022. British journalist and artist Butler visited the country in March 2022, only days after the initial invasion; he completed a return trip in the spring of 2023. While he conducted his interviews and observations during a specific time frame, a broader history--as well as ruminations on the human condition and the "circularity of war"--emerge through and within them. The visceral accounts are deeply affecting, mixing stories of trauma and quotidian aspects of life and reflecting their subjects' varied perspectives--when Butler met them, Volodymyr was 7 and Madame Olga was 99. Butler includes stories of survival, sacrifice, and unspeakable violence, as well as reflections on community care and people's hopes and dreams and what brings them joy. The subjects and settings are carefully rendered in sparsely colored ink, watercolor, and collage illustrations, offering a loose, unfinished style that befits the ever-evolving stories and conflict. In most instances, a portrait is followed by a write-up offering each subject's name, age, location, and context about how Butler came to be in contact with them. Many portraits are accompanied by the subject's own words, recorded through direct conversations or email exchanges; Butler acknowledges the assistance of "Ukrainian fixers, translators, and drivers." A raw and indelible work that presents the experiences, perspectives, and voices of ordinary people. (map, afterword, art notes)(Nonfiction. 12-adult) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.