Lyubka's Carbide tells the story of tense Ukraine-NATO-EU relations in the 2000s and early 2010s through the lenses of an enthusiastic history teacher who is frustrated by Europe’s lack of recognition that Ukraine is essentially Europe and Transcarpathia – his home region – is its geographical center.



The rebirth of Ukrainian literature and publishing: famous contemporary authors and new policy for their supportAt the same time that Tys transforms into a warning about blinding nationalism, his observations of the ethnic and cultural make-up of Transcarpathia educates readers about this infrequently discussed region of the world. While Lyubka’s portrayals of the corruption and smuggling permeating every level of Vedmedivite society paint Vedmediv and Uzhhorod as no place any tourist would want to visit, Tys’s historical reflections provide a more diverse society than what readers might initially think exist in the region. With traces of Proto-Albanian influence the dialect of Ukrainian spoken by the Hutsuls, and with “years of Hungarian rule” that “brought Transcarpathians closer to the Balkan peoples,” what becomes clear for readers is that in this region of Ukraine, a distinct identity, even a distinct origin, weaves a complex cultural and historical web incomprehensible to most Westerners. What readers discover is that the stereotypes, propaganda, and general ignorance they hold or believe do not apply to the people, the region, and the country as a whole. Ukraine as a whole is a diverse nation.
All you wanted to know about Ukraine in one book and on one YouTube channelWhat readers have to remember while reading Carbide is that Tys is delusional. His story is a pessimistic, tragic one. Meanwhile, as Russia continues its attempts to destroy Ukraine’s sovereignty from, literally, all of Ukraine’s sides and the skies above, Ukrainians everywhere remain optimistic about their, and Ukraine’s, future. In the face of war, Ukraine continues to make progress in its human rights and anti-corruption efforts. Ukrainian resilience, ingenuity, bravery, and determination inspires democracy-cherishing people across the globe. Nevertheless, Tys’s journey in Carbide is an important one, and the talking points about borders, corruption, bureaucracy, and nationalism opened in the novel are imperative to not only Ukraine’s, but any democracy’s, future. For Western, and particularly American readers, Carbide is a deep dive into one of the finest works of literature to emerge from Ukraine in the last five years. Reminiscent of the satirical works of Kurt Vonnegut and Voltaire, it’s a great starting point for those just beginning to expose themselves to Ukraine’s lengthy literary tradition. Carbide is unforgettable, a satire laced with a humor that leaves one laughing out loud one minute and then questioning their laughter the next while hoping that Lyubka is already at work on his next contribution to an underappreciated literary canon.

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