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Content snapshot
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Violence
Very heavy
Extreme violence: war crimes, torture, civilian deaths, and the destruction of an entire society are depicted throughout
Language
Some
Some strong language in the literary fiction register
Sexual Content
Barely any
Minimal sexual content
Substance Use
None
No substance use
Emotional Intensity
Very heavy
The psychological weight of war's destruction of civilian life, the cost of survival, and the humanity that persists under impossible conditions create a profoundly moving and disturbing reading experience
What this book is about
Anthony Marra's debut novel is set in Chechnya during the First and Second Chechen Wars, weaving together the stories of a young girl hiding from Russian soldiers, the neighbors who protect her, a doctor working in a ruined hospital, and a young woman who sacrifices everything to survive. Marra writes about extreme violence and suffering with enormous compassion and beauty — the novel is both devastating and deeply humane. The violence is extreme and sustained throughout. One of the great debut novels of the 21st century.
Notes for sensitive readers
Reader-flagged moments and themes that may affect your experience.
Extreme war violence and atrocities
Torture depicted
Civilian suffering at length
Reader Verification
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