Wave of Terror

Theodore Odrach
Academy Chicago Publishers (2008)
ISBN 9780897335621
Reviewed by Paige Lovitt for Reader Views (12/09)


“Wave of Terror” was written, in Ukrainian, by Theodore Odrach, over forty years ago. His daughter Erma translated it into English in 2007.  To have an opportunity to read this novel in English is an incredible one.  Even though it is a fictional account, the author witnessed the atrocities committed by the Soviets during this time.  Through his words, he brings the era to life so that we can see it for ourselves. I found “Wave of Terror” to be completely engrossing. 

“Wave of Terror” takes place in 1939, during the Red Army invasion of Belarus.  Mainly set in a small village in Ukraine, the story is mostly told through the eyes of Ivan Kulik who is a headmaster there.  Ivan is an educated young man who was sent to this rural village to work.  As he tries to do his job, he has to live in fear of upsetting the NKVD men who arrive in black cars and take people away.  Sometimes they are killed outright, other times they are taken off to prison and tortured.  Others are sent away to labor camps.  Most do not make it out alive.

In addition to trying to see that the children are well educated, Ivan has to follow the rules set forth to convert the children’s views and language to follow those of the new Belarusian Soviet Socialist Republic.  This is a difficult task because the language is very different from what they know.  As a young man, he also has to deal with his feelings for a beautiful young woman, who does not share how he feels.  Staying alive and not being turned in to the NKVD soon becomes Ivan’s main priority.

While horrible atrocities are being committed and people have to live in fear, this is also a heartwarming story about a young man, with a big heart, who is trying to help the people of the village he was assigned to work in.  Through his eyes, we see how people lived.  We also get to look at life through the eyes of some of the other characters and see their experiences as they discover that the Soviet promises are false and see what is really unfolding around them.  I highly, highly recommend this novel, “Wave of Terror” by Theodore Odrach.

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