Free

Lea Ypi's memoir, longlisted for the 2021 Baillie Gifford Prize, offers a poignant reflection on the concept of freedom through her experiences growing up in communist Albania and witnessing its dramatic transition. The narrative explores the transformation of a society from oppression to newfound liberty, highlighting the upheavals and disillusionments that accompany such profound change. With insightful storytelling, Ypi examines the costs and complexities of hope, democracy, and personal identity in a rapidly evolving world.