One Ukrainian Summer

Set in autumn 1993, this memoir recounts Viv’s study year abroad in the former USSR, where she finds herself amidst a lively Ukrainian punk rock scene rather than immersed in her studies. Through encounters with new friends and moments of humor and reflection, the story explores the transitional period after the Cold War and the vibrant, uncertain atmosphere of a changing Russia and Ukraine. Blending poignancy and humor, the book captures a unique moment in history and the coming-of-age experience during a time of profound political shifts.