The titular “sorochka” is the name
of a traditional Ukrainian shirt that
the author’s aunt sewed for her husband –he wore it first to his wedding and then
in his coffin. One of the book’s female
protagonists says: “A person is born to die
and is dying to live, that’s the truth”, which
is a fair summary of the book as a whole.
Kuźniak, an outstanding Polish reporter
and biographer, presents a collection of
tales of people advanced in age, reconciled
to death and eager to discuss it. These
are mainly women who have long been
awaiting their time, thoroughly preparing
themselves for the event, wondering
what to put into the coffin, what kind
of coffin it will be, and what the funeral
itself will look like. They are unafraid of
death, sometimes they are even longing
for it. These are stories of people who have
gone through a lot – former insurgents,
fugitives of war, often miraculously spared
the conflagrations. Her interlocutors are
also lonely people who have often already
buried their friends and family. Yet a key
facet of this book is that it is not sad;
there are hints of melancholy, fatigue, and
disappointment, yet the prevailing tone
is joy. In a paradoxical way, it is a hymn
to life.
Target Market
Readers of biographies.
Those interested in history told from an
individual perspective.
Lovers of original essays.