Comments for Elena Gorokhova

Comment on Bio by Joan Stearns

Joan Stearns — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 15:50:49 +0000

I have just finished reading A Mountain of Crumbs and found it poignant and captivating. In fact, I was still reading at 12:30 this morning.

I love foreign languages, too, and understand the thrill of communicating in a foreign tongue with someone from another culture. Your memoir drew me in.

Keep up the good work and I will be following you.

Comment on Home by Marcia Fischer

Marcia Fischer — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 12:33:06 +0000

Your book was wonderful and I just wanted to let you know how reading about your spirit and courage has inspired me to make a change in my own life.
Imagine – I’m 75 and recently widowed so change is a big unknown after so many years of stability. Reading your story and seeing the monumental move you made at a young age gives me the impetus to move on and face the challenge of a new life. Thank you for a powerful story.
I hope your life is going well.
Marcia

Comment on Leningrad by Chitownknittergal

Chitownknittergal — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 21:23:41 +0000

I am so glad you are back on your blog. You have a lyrical, wonderful writing style that makes me want to read on and on. Thank you.

Comment on A Good Run by Linda Mazziotta

Linda Mazziotta — Sun, 10 Jun 2012 12:56:26 +0000

Yes, this is a beautiful tribute to your Mother. My sympathies to you and your family. I am looking forward to your next book with the details of your’s and your mother’s life in the United States.

Comment on A Good Run by Mary K.

Mary K. — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 19:42:17 +0000

I’m very sorry to hear about your loss, Elena. This was a beautiful tribute.

Comment on A Good Run by Salle Manning

Salle Manning — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 02:10:32 +0000

I just finished reading your memoir and was so touched by your story.I had a very different upbringing in the 1960′s and 70′s in the U.S. but I so enjoyed remembering my own time growing up and connecting it to where you were in your life.
Deepest condolences on your Mother’s recent death. What a vibrant and interesting person she was. The chapter where you are saying your good-byes at the airport made me cry. I really felt the love of your sister and your mother as they worried about what the future would hold for you.
All the best. I will look for your next book.

Comment on From Russia With Lies by Natalia

Natalia — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 04:24:11 +0000

Elena, while being a huge fan of your book and definitely agreeing with you on vranyo in Russia nowadays, I disagree with the notion that Putin’s constituents are mostly young people who don’t know what vranyo is. I belong to the generation of those who grew up during Perestroyka and had 4 history books in high-school in the ’90s because none of the books really told the truth. Most of my friends are disagreeing with the way things are and are seeing straight through all vranyo. It’s the people from the ’50s-’60s (our parents) who still pretend that they believe that Putin is a hero. And their pretending helps him pretend that he is feeling all their support. And so, the circle of vranyo continues. That’s the way they (people of the ’50s-’60s, including Putin) were raised. You have to pretend your way through life and through politics.

Comment on New Year by Irina

Irina — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 20:01:22 +0000

I hope your mother feels better soon. It is another reminder to keep important things first and make a conscious effort to slow down and spend time with our loved ones. Family should always come first and it is hard to keep it a priority when every minute of your schedule is filled with to-do things that seem so important.
I love the example about Rocks, Stones, Pebbles and Sand. If you fill your “jar of life” with important things first like rocks and stones, there will always be room to fill it in with pebbles and sand, however, if you do it vice versa there won’t be room for rocks – your highest life priorities that gives you fulfillment and purpose.
It is always easy say than do, I know……

Comment on New Year by Candace

Candace — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 18:38:13 +0000

The vranyo that is part of Russian culture is also found in mother daughter relationships. We lie to one another and find it’s easier than the truth.

Comment on Canadian Bestseller List by John

John — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 01:20:08 +0000

Elena my wife and I both read your book and thoroughly enjoyed it. It left me with the deep impression of a very strong individual. In that regard it is very inspiring. Not to mention that you have put a human face on the inscrutable stereotype of the Russian people that we grew up with here in Canada and the US. In that regard you done your country an inestimable service. And to top it all, you’re a fantastic writer in your adopted language. You have a gift for descriptive prose that makes your writing very very engaging. Thank you so much for your wonderful work.