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Product Information

A startling history of the Chernobyl disaster by the winner of the Nobel prize in literature On 26 April 1986 the worst nuclear reactor accident in history occured in Chernobyl and contaminated as much as three quarters of Europe. While the official Soviet narrative downplayed the accident's impact, Svetlana Alexievich wanted to know how people understood it. She recorded hundreds of interviews with workers at the nuclear plant, refugees and resettlers, scientists and bureaucrats, crafting their monologues into a stunning oral history of the nuclear disaster. What their stories reveal is the fear, anger and uncertainty with which they still live but also a dark humour and desire to see the beauty of everyday life, including that of Chernobyl's new landscape. A chronicle of the past and a warning for our nuclear future, Chernobyl Prayer is a haunting masterpiece.

Product Identifiers

PublisherPenguin, Penguin Classic

ISBN-139780241270530

eBay Product ID (ePID)221281355

Product Key Features

Book TitleChernobyl Prayer: Voices from Chernobyl

AuthorSvetlana Alexievich

FormatPaperback

LanguageEnglish

TopicGeography & Geosciences, Government, Literary Theory, History

Publication Year2017

TypePaperback

Number of Pages304 Pages

Dimensions

Item Height198mm

Item Width129mm

Weight224g, 0.49lb.

Height7.8in, 198mm

Width129mm, 5.07in

Item Weight224g

Additional Product Features

Title_AuthorSvetlana Alexievich

Series TitlePenguin Modern Classics

Country/Region of ManufactureUnited Kingdom

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4.8

10 product ratings

9 users rated this 5 out of 5 stars
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Compelling content

Most relevant reviews

by feya_89
17 Jul, 2019Most favourable review
Must read
Because we owe it to history and victims. After watching HBO's mini series Chernobyl I've become proper interested in the topic. Before I had no idea of the scale of this catastrophy and the many many people who sacrificed themselves to save us all and how many more people's lives it had affected. If you haven't seen it I implore you to do so. If you haven't read the book, read it. We owe it to them.
Verified purchase: YesCondition: New
by nancywake39
07 Aug, 2019Most critical review
Hmm, very philosophical, not much on the actual disaster
It’s very beautiful but really hard to read. It is lots of conversations, that cover war, life, death, life in the USSR etc. Some of the stories were devastating but others were just confusing and felt like filler.
Verified purchase: YesCondition: New
by giles253
06 Oct, 2019
Astounding
I bought this book on the back of listening to the Chernobyl podcasts released in support of the recent 5 part TV series as they were mentioned by the writer of that series. Oh, good lord. The first monologue is from the wife of the fireman who features in the first episode of the series. It gives far more detail about the immediate aftermath of the disaster and the 14 days during which the poor chap died from his radiation exposure. It's heartbreaking. Captivating. Educating. Buy this book if you want to understand more fully the situation. I visited Pripyat in March 2018 and this has filled in so many gaps in my understanding. Utterly immersive.
Verified purchase: YesCondition: New
by wizz67-123
10 Jul, 2019
Chernobyl Prayer
Compelling book just normal people telling a remarkable story. Deceived by their government untill the truth couldn't be hid any longer.
Verified purchase: YesCondition: New
by amaclauchlan2012
26 Jun, 2019
Good book.
The book is a collection of stories about people who went through Chernobyl and how it affected their life. Difficult to read at times, but you cannot put it down at the same time.
Verified purchase: YesCondition: New
by annette02072012
23 Jun, 2017
Great book
Bought this book as a gift arrived quickly and the book is high quality. Birthday girl loved it
Verified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned
by uk.kie1
29 Oct, 2023
Brilliant book
Very well translated! Amazing book and would definitely recommend.
Verified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned
by dotdenton1951
10 Dec, 2019
Brilliant Reading
Eye opener
Verified purchase: YesCondition: New
by kriwarre_3
15 Jan, 2018
Brilliant
Brilliant service, will be using again
Verified purchase: YesCondition: New
by wmax39
03 Jul, 2019
Brilliant
Verified purchase: YesCondition: New