October’s Book at the Ukrainity Book Club — Voroshylovhrad by Serhiy Zhadan
We’ve chosen our book for October! This month, our book club is reading Voroshylovhrad by Serhiy Zhadan.
Why Voroshylovhrad?
Voroshylovhrad is one of Serhiy Zhadan’s best-known novels. It won the BBC Ukrainian Book of the Year award in 2010 and was named BBC Ukrainian Book of the Decade in 2014. In addition to Ukrainian, the novel is available in Polish, German, French, and other languages.
Voroshylovhrad by Serhiy Zhadan
Zhadan introduces readers to eastern Ukraine through the personal stories of its people. He writes about home, friendship, memory, and our responsibility for the things we hold dear.
The language of the novel
The novel is full of dialogue, everyday vocabulary, and familiar situations. Many conversational passages can be understood even at the early stages of learning Ukrainian.
However, this is an original, unadapted text: it includes slang, strong language, metaphors, and passages that require closer reading. Our club welcomes readers at level B1 and above to explore it with support from the community, a dictionary, and, if they wish, the audiobook.
You don’t need to understand every word to enjoy reading. You can note down unfamiliar expressions and questions and bring them to our discussion.
Who is the club for?
The Ukrainity Book Club is for people learning Ukrainian as a foreign language at level B1 or above.
We read Ukrainian literature, expand our vocabulary, and learn to express our thoughts in Ukrainian. It’s a place to ask questions, share your interpretations, and meet like-minded people.
If you’re not ready to speak much yet, you’re welcome to come and listen. Get a feel for the format and join the conversation whenever you feel more confident.
Who will lead the meeting?
Our moderator is Romana Muran, founder of Ukrainity, Ukrainian language teacher, and editor.
A guest who is a native Ukrainian speaker will also join us to exchange thoughts about the book.
When and where
- Date: Saturday, 31 October 2026.
- Time: 4:00–5:30 p.m. Kyiv time.
- Format: Online via Zoom.
- Ukrainian level: B1 and above.
- Participation: Free, with advance registration required.
What happens after you register?
You’ll receive access to our participants’ group chat, where you can discuss the book throughout the month, ask questions, and share your impressions before the meeting.
You’ll also receive a reading journal created especially for our club. Use it to record your thoughts, favourite quotes, new words, and questions for discussion.
Where to read, listen, and watch
Here are a few suggested places to find the book and film. You’re welcome to buy the book from any other bookshop or platform you prefer.
- E-book: Voroshylovhrad on Yakaboo.
- Audiobook narrated by the author: Voroshylovhrad on ABUK.
- Film adaptation: The Wild Fields on Netflix. You can also watch the film to compare how the story is told on the page and on screen.
How to join
Register, choose your preferred way to explore the book, and join our community. We look forward to welcoming you — whether you bring questions, thoughts, or simply a wish to listen 💛