This harrowing study of the Russian leader’s weaponising of sexual violence argues that misogyny goes hand in hand with imperialism
In 1944, the Red Army pushed the Germans out of the Baltic state of Estonia. Soon afterwards, Soviet officers took away Sofi Oksanen’s great-aunt for interrogation. It was night. When she returned the next morning Oksanen’s young relative appeared unscathed. In fact, she had been raped. She could only mutter a few words: “Jah, ära”, or “Yes, please don’t”.
The consequences of her unspoken ordeal were lifelong. As Oksanen relates it, her great-aunt became mute. She never married, had children or a relationship. Nor were the men who abused her punished. After the Soviet reoccupation – which saw Estonia erased from Europe’s map – she lived quietly with her ageing mother. Black-and-white family photos and the stories that went with them were hidden.
Same River, Twice: Putin’s War on Women by Sofi Oksanen is published by HarperVia (£16.99). To support the Guardian and Observer order your copy at guardianbookshop.com. Delivery charges may apply
