Dunia
A Garden in the Gulag
Published on 9. February 2025
Book
Hardback
286 pages
978-1-0693298-8-2 (ISBN)
Description
An evocative debut novel of historical fiction, set in the heart of Ukraine, and ultimately spanning to the frozen reaches of Siberia.
Our story begins 1904 with Dunia, a nine year old girl growing up in the idyllic village of Kobeliaky, Ukraine, where her family lives off the land, cultivating crops, raising sheep, and weaving exquisite carpets. Life flows in harmony with the seasons, offering a sense of peace and purpose. Dunia marries and starts her own family, but the tides of history bring devastating change. When Stalin rises to power, the regime's collective farming policies seize the land and uproot the people. Dunia's unwavering religious beliefs lead to her arrest and exile to the Siberian gulags.
In the face of unthinkable loss and relentless hardship, Dunia's faith becomes her anchor. Transforming through her experiences, she discovers unexpected grace and strength in the bleakest circumstances. Her journey is one of resilience and survival, but also of spiritual evolution, as she learns to let go and embrace the unexpected in her path to survival and renewal.
This novel is a heartfelt tribute to the power of faith, the endurance of the human spirit, and the legacy of family history.
It invites readers into a world shaped by love, loss, and the unyielding determination to thrive against all odds.
More details
Language
English
Product notice
sewn/stitched
Cloth over boards
Dimensions
Height: 222 mm
Width: 145 mm
Thickness: 20 mm
Weight
538 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-0693298-8-2 (9781069329882)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Gillian Caldwell has always had a deep love for words. From a young age, she found joy in crafting poetry, weaving stories, and offering prayers to the Universe. Her passion for storytelling began with her mother, who introduced her to the magic of narratives during their hikes in the Rocky Mountains. At just five years old, when little Gillian grew tired and sat down on the trail in tears, her mother would extend a hand and say, "Come on, I'll tell you a story." Those stories transformed their hikes into joyful adventures, creating cherished memories and igniting a lifelong appreciation for the power of words. She studied Journalism in Calgary, where she honed her skills in writing and narrative craft. Dunia - A Garden in the Gulag is Gillian's debut novel, a heartfelt tribute to her family's history and the enduring power of resilience and faith. Through her writing, she seeks to connect with readers, paint the landscape and share stories that inspire and resonate on a deeply human level.