Flaubert called himself a human pen; I would say that I am a human ear. When I walk down the street and catch words, phrases, and exclamations, I always think - how many novels disappear without a trace! Disappear into… — Svetlana Alexievich Copy Share Image
There are horrible periods in which entire nations sink into the plague of darkness and hatred. — Svetlana Alexievich Copy Share Image
Real people speak in my books about the main events of the age, such as the war, the Chernobyl disaster, and the downfall of… — Svetlana Alexievich Copy Share Image
In the post-Soviet era, instead of freedom, various stripes of autocratic-totalitarianism have flourished: Russian, Belarusian, Kazakh... We are finding our way out from under the debris of the 'Red Empire' slowly and tentatively. — Svetlana Alexievich Copy Share
“How can we preserve our planet on which little girls are supposed to sleep in their beds, and not lie dead on the road… — Svetlana Alexievich Copy Share Image
I write my books at moments of shock. I meet people in extremis and their stories are highly emotionally charged. — Svetlana Alexievich Copy Share Image
Women tell things in more interesting ways. They live with more feeling. They observe themselves and their lives. Men are more impressed with action.… — Svetlana Alexievich Copy Share Image
Many times, I have been shocked and frightened by human beings. I have experienced delight and revulsion. I have sometimes wanted to forget what… — Svetlana Alexievich Copy Share Image
No book about Soviet sacrifice was as strong as the women's stories I heard as a child. — Svetlana Alexievich Copy Share Image
I see the world as voices, as colors, as it were. From book to book, I change, the subjects change, but the narrative thread… — Svetlana Alexievich Copy Share Image
We thought we'd leave communism behind, and everything would turn out fine. But it turns out you can't leave this and become free, because… — Svetlana Alexievich Copy Share Image
A man without a memory is only capable of doing evil, nothing else but evil. — Svetlana Alexievich Copy Share Image
