In the Shadow of Wolves: A Times Book of the Year, 2019 - Hardcover

Šlepikas, Alvydas

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1786074680 ISBN 13: 9781786074683

Publisher: Oneworld Publications, 2019

Synopsis

As the Russians advance into East Prussia, women and children are forced out of their homes to make way for the victorious troops.

Their fight for survival is only just beginning...

Facing critical food shortages and the onset of a bitterly cold winter, some of the older children, the 'wolf children' secretly cross the border into Lithuania, begging the local farmers for work or food they can take back to their starving families.

Cinematic and elegantly written, Alvydas Šlepikas's debut novel, based on real-life events, is both meticulously researched and stunningly powerful. It won numerous awards on publication and took Lithuania by storm.

About this title

About the Author

Alvydas Šlepikas is one of the most multi-talented contemporary Lithuanian writers – he is a poet, prose writer, playwright, screenwriter, actor and director. His works include two books of poetry, a short story collection and a novel, Mano vardas – Marytė (My Name is Maryte, 2012). He has frequently edited editions originating from the annual Spring Poetry Festival, edited the cultural weekly, Literatūra ir menas, and currently oversees the fiction section of this journal.

Review

‘This novel’s unflinching portrait of a forgotten tragedy is haunting.’, The Times, Best New Historical Fiction: July 2019

‘Has the simple narrative structure and heightened quality of a fable... Šlepikas has a vivid vision and lyricism which lifts the prose and ensures it is anything but derivative.’, Big Issue

‘This is stunning. Cinematic, powerful... [In the Shadow of Wolves] has an irresistible, emotional pull that is as fascinating as it is brilliant, with a sense of heartbreak rather than trauma.’, Victoria's Book Reviews

‘A heartbreaking blend of historical facts and literary prose.’, Foreword Reviews

‘A raw and tender true tale... It’s no wonder that this elegant and intricate debut has garnered its Lithuanian author many awards.’, LoveReading

‘Vivid, highly dramatic and compelling... Alvydas Šlepikas has broken the dam of silence.’, Dresdner Neueste Nachrichten

‘In the Shadow of Wolves...reminded me in some ways of reading the work of Cormac McCarthy... Šlepikas imbues barren East Germany and the forests of post-war Lithuania with the dark undertones of a fairytale.’, Splice

‘This novel finds the perfect balance between documentary and literary narrative.’, Kieler Nachrichten

‘A significant work of memorialisation... Šlepikas – who is also a scriptwriter and director – injects his writing with a dramatic urgency that seeks to capture the scale of extraordinary suffering.’, The Calvert Journal

‘In the Shadow of Wolves is a gem of Lithuanian literature. It touches a nerve as it tells the story of those who survived an awful fate, who have experienced the most terrible things.’, Alfa.lt

Edition details

• Publisher: Oneworld Publications
• Publication date: 2019
• ISBN 10: 1786074680
• ISBN 13: 9781786074683
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 208