Daughter of Ivan, Mother of Ivan (21st Century Best Foreign Novel)

Author: Valentin Rasputin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-01-01
Features: Ivan's Daughter, Ivan's Mother was selected as one of the "Best Foreign Novels of the 21st Century in 2003" in the Russian literary category. It is a typical realist novel that depicts the tragedy of an ordinary Russian family, as well as a societal tragedy. The protagonist Tamara Ivanovna's underage daughter is raped, and in the process of seeking legal justice, she encounters numerous obstacles. In despair, the protagonist takes desperate measures, breaks into the prosecutor's office, and shoots the perpetrator, only to be imprisoned herself. The family of four is nearly destroyed. Four and a half years later, the protagonist is released. As the daughter of the elder Ivan and the mother of the younger Ivan, she still clings to a sliver of hope for life.