I Love Russia

Being a journalist means telling the unvarnished truth. Elena Kostyuchenko's "I Love Russia" is a bold and fearless exploration of the facets of Russian life that are often hidden or erased: young women from villages thrust into the world of sex work, queer communities in remote regions, individuals in a Ukrainian maternity ward, and journalists like Kostyuchenko herself. Through her work, she sheds light on areas unfamiliar to outsiders and amplifies voices that seldom make it to international ears.Her narrative is a fusion of uncompromising journalism and deeply personal essays, weaving a rich, vivid tapestry of experiences that can seem almost otherworldly. This book presents Russia as it truly is, not the Russia of collective imagination."I Love Russia" might represent Kostyuchenko’s final storytelling from her homeland for a significant period—potentially forever. Her writings are propelled by her belief that the most profound expressions of love and patriotism come in the form of critique. The reach of Putin’s Russia poses a threat that extends into broader regions than just Russia, Crimea, or Ukraine.Ultimately, this work is both an intimate depiction of a nation and a testament to a woman's unwavering resolve to speak out.