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Dear Nicola
I've just finished reading Kim Traill's Red Square Blues, and simply want to pass on my congratulations and sincere thanks to her for such a monumental effort and outstanding achievement.
I am an Australian of Russian descent (born in Austria in 1947 to parents who were Russian/Ukrainian war refugees), and have relatives still living in Russia, whom I visited a few years ago and then hosted on a trip here more recently (with confusing consequences). I've read a few Russian history books, and talked to many people, but what's happening in Russia remained enigmatic and depressing for me – until I read Kim's book. While it also stirs up negative feelings, it does explain so much, from historical as well as personal human perspectives.
Apart from being extremely brave and tolerant of hardship, she obviously is an amazing networker, and clearly has mastered what is a notoriously difficult language for Westerners, attributes that have provided her with a solid basis to write such a powerful, comprehensive and authoritative account. And she writes so well – I had trouble putting the book down, until it was all over, sadly!
My wife, Melissa, read the book before I did, has travelled in Russia with me and met my relatives, and fully agrees with the above views (!). We would both be very grateful if you could pass on our comments and gratitude to Kim (and to Harper Collins, for publishing her story, of course).
Many thanks,
Dr. Paul Prociv (original family name: Myalichkin)
Hi Kim,
My name is Dasha, and i am an ethnic russian living in australia. I was born in siberia in february 1990, and my family moved to moscow when i was 3. For the past 6 and a half years we have been living in melbourne.
i just finished reading your book, and i just wanted to say thank you so much for sharing your experiences! i learned so much about my heritage from it, and it helped explain those little things i remember from my childhood but never really understood. and the fact that you went there in 1990 was all the more symbolic!
i found your book very inspiring, it made me want to go back to my home country, if not to stay (i love melbourne too much), but for a visit. i'm making all my friends read the book now, and they are marvelling at what a rich history russia has had/still has. so thank you so much for sharing your experiences with the world! i truly admire your bravery during your student years to go to a weird and far away place. i would have gone to france!
Dasha