A moving dive into the heart of the war in Ukraine, told through a fictional monologue shaped by dozens of real voices of Ukrainian women.

While this work is a novel, every word is anchored in reality; it’s the war as told by the women living it. It is a profound exploration of the lives and struggles of Ukrainian women during the current war. Through the voice of a fictional protagonist, this book unites the real testimonies and personal stories of Ukrainian women who confided in the author.

Several testimonies are brought together to create one woman — a single mother who is a nurse — who does everything to protect her daughter as the occupation begins and then with the fierce determination enlists to defend her country in any way that she can.

As she puts it: « I am neither a martyr nor a heroine — just a woman who refuses to be erased. I can wake up every day and say ‘I am still here. I am fighting. I exist.’»

A true collective cry, a mix of stories of survival, resilience, and a manifesto of the indomitable spirit of those who fight not only for their lives but also for the essence of their homeland, this Letter from the East is an essential work to understand the war in Ukraine, experienced from the inside.

Inna Shevchenko is a renowned French-Ukrainian activist and writer, known for her ardent advocacy for women’s rights with FEMEN and freedom of expression with Charlie Hebdo. Originally from Kherson, Ukraine, her work is heavily influenced by her fight for women’s rights, democracy, and her personal suffering from the ongoing war in Ukraine, leading her to highlight the struggles and resilience of Ukrainian women through her writing.