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Reviewed by Foluso Falaye for Readers' Favorite
The Drau River Flows to Siberia: The Victims of Victory by Marina Osipova exposes barely known aspects of World War II through fictional characters and experiences that are inspired by real stories. We follow two main characters seeking to escape the inhumane acts that surround them and to reconnect with their loved ones. Sixteen-year-old Anna finds her promising world in chaos when the Germans invade Russia and her aunt is taken by the Germans. To make matters worse, she was "granted the privilege" of working for the German Reich. Separated from his wife and condemned to a life of slavery in the enemy's camp, Zakhary stuck to the hope that his wife was alive. As their paths cross in a world that places little value on human life, Anna and Zakhary must find the strength to hold on to life and dream of a better future.
You're likely to learn something new from this book. Apart from its intricate details about rarely-told events, The Drau River Flows to Siberia includes a poignant portrayal of the characters' thoughts and their internal struggles as they faced torturous conditions and clung to a fading beam of hope. That Anna formed a mutually beneficial friendship and learned German while stripped of her freedom inspired me to keep being positive, no matter what. Marina Osipova clearly describes the grim reality of the less publicized victims of the war, including inhumane living conditions, unjust sentences, and random killings. It was both shocking and infuriating. I hope stories like The Drau River Flows to Siberia reach and positively influence all leaders and followers around the world. Also, fans of historical fiction, especially books about World War II, will find this book highly enlightening, evocative, and thought-provoking.
