The Lost Year: A Survival Story of the Ukrainian Famine

Widespread crises influence Matthew, Mila, and Helen’s perspectives throughout the novel. What is each country’s official position about the crisis that the characters live through? In what way do major news and political outlets try to minimize the extent of the crises, any why?

Matthew’s circumstances make him feel trapped and alone. What is his relationship to the outdoors during the pandemic? Is it a space of freedom or further entrapment? Use examples from the text to support your response.

How does the novel portray food, especially in the early chapters? What significance does food hold in the three storylines, and how does the characters’ relationship to food change throughout the novel?