(book review)

The book ‘The Case of Vasyl Stus’ by Vakhtang Kipiani is an incredibly important and enlightening work dedicated to the life and work of the renowned Ukrainian poet Vasyl Stus, as well as his political struggle against the totalitarian regime.

Kipiani meticulously reveals the biography of Vasyl Stus, starting from his childhood and youth, all the way to his arrest and punishment in Soviet prisons and labor camps. The author portrays Stus’s incredible strength of spirit, his principles, and his unyielding nature, even in the most difficult times of his life.

Kipiani also delves into significant historical events surrounding Stus, particularly the protests on Maidan Nezalezhnosti in the 1960s and the Lviv Saturday, when Stus, along with other intellectuals, stood up against forced Russification.

This book provides a unique insight into the life and struggle of Vasyl Stus, as well as the severe repressions that occurred during the Soviet regime. It uncovers important themes related to freedom of speech, human rights, and the fight for ideals.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the history of Ukraine, literature, and human rights. ‘The Case of Vasyl Stus’ is an important work that deserves attention and helps preserve the memory of Vasyl Stus’s heroic struggle for freedom and justice. My rating is 9/10.