The Taste of Ashes

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This account offers a profound exploration of Eastern Europe's complex psyche following the revolutions of 1989 and the opening of communist archives. Drawing on her deep understanding, the author illuminates the lingering effects of totalitarianism across a landscape that stretches from Berlin to Moscow, traversing cities like Vienna, Prague, Bratislava, Warsaw, Bucharest, Vilnius, and Kiev. The narrative presents communism not merely as a historical specter but as a haunting presence that continues to shape lives. Centered on individuals the author has known over two decades since the fall of communism, the story encompasses a diverse cast—former communists, dissidents, accusers, the accused, and their descendants. For these individuals, the post-communist era has not signaled closure but rather a resurgence of the past, invoking memories of revolution, Stalinism, the Second World War, and the Holocaust. The darker aspects of communism's end are explored as the author delves into archival records, revealing the intertwining of personal and political narratives, love and cruelty, intimacy and betrayal. The result is a lyrical and poignant portrayal of the movement of history and its profound implications.