The Rooster House: My Ukrainian Family Story

In her haunting debut memoir, Ukrainian-born journalist Belim recounts her quest to reconnect with her homeland and family. Belim immigrated to the United States when she was 15 years old; in 2014, she returns to visit her grandmother, Valentina, now living in the village of Bereh. Belim’s visit is also prompted by her interest in learning more about a decades long family mystery centered on her great-grandfather Sergiy’s brother Nikodim, who disappeared in 1937 after being accused of anti-Soviet behavior. Though information is hard to trace and often incomplete, it becomes clear that records stored at the Rooster House, a KGB interrogation facility, may hold the key to Nikodim’s disappearance. However, relatives still fear government retribution, so they look determinedly forward rather than dwelling on the past. Amrita Acharia provides an energetic narration, ably conveying Belim’s observations about everyday life, small-town connections, traditions maintained and discarded, and the long-term impact of changing governmental regimes. She employs multiple accents and tones in her reading, making for a compelling listen.