The end of an era, seduction of quick money, life sacrificed, a mind lost, and a love that keeps people together despite all odds. Author Oksana Shiell crafts a riveting tale of intrigue in her debut novel Comrade Gods.
Set within the tumultuous perestroika period in the Ukraine, Comrade Gods explores the tension between tradition and innovation, capitalism and socialism. Shiell, a Ukrainian native, is flawless in her depiction of the fall of the Soviet Empire. Framed by this historic reference the story is driven by the kind of poignancy only real life can create:
Unemployment and crime grew by gigantic steps. Everything was going downhill very fast. The parks, the streets, the buildings and the movie theaters became dirty, neglected and vandalized. Nobody cared about anything anymore. All public property that could be stolen was stolen. Toothpaste, soap, toilet paper, detergents and matches disappeared from the stores first. A bar of soap was the best birthday present one could give.
One close family is nearly torn apart by this newfound conflict of values. Young Pasha is quick to embrace the possibilities of open markets and competition, while his father finds himself taking a second job to make ends meet. What would it take for people to change? How could they survive?
In the end, tragedy forces everyone to examine their commitment and purpose in life when a young mind is lost in a coma. This moment sets off an unexpected chain of events, as Shiell takes the reader on a fast paced adventure replete with all the makings of a great story: drama, international romance, political tension - even a Russian Bride! -- and all of this takes place under the watchful eyes of the Comrade Gods….
About the Author: Oksana Shiell was born in Ukraine, just a few miles from the Black Sea. She has been writing stories and novels since age 18, but still considers herself more of an artist than a writer. Comrade Gods is inspired by a true story and is the first book she decided to share with the public.