Soviet Milk

by Nora Ikstena
This book is published in translation by Peirene press.
As usual it is a great read. The story is told in alternating chapters by a mother and daughter who are born and live in Latvia.
The mother is born just after the second world war and the daughter in 1969. The mother grew up as the Soviet Union tightened its grip during the Cold War. The daughter grew up as that grip was loosening and the breakup of the Soviet Union drew near. It is also the story of a mother and daughter who despite desperately trying were prevented by life and illness and circumstances from ever bonding.
It is a sad but beautiful story that I missed when it ended.8/10