Mondegreen: Songs about Death and Love

Mondegreen: Songs about Death and Love by Volodymyr Rafeyenko is a novel that explores how memory and language construct our identity and how we hold on to it, even when it is wrong. The protagonist, Haba Habinsky, is a refugee from the Donbas region who escapes to Kyiv at the onset of the Ukrainian-Russian war. The novel shows how people and cities can be transformed, and how this affects their interpersonal relations and cultural identification. It stands out for its innovative and probing manner in dissecting crucial topics stirred by Russian aggression, providing a fresh Donbas perspective on Ukrainian identity.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 250 pages
Publication date: 27 May 2022
Publisher: Harvard University Press

A mondegreen is a misheard or misunderstood phrase that someone takes as fact, often due to memory or linguistic confusion. In Volodymyr Rafeyenko's novel "Mondegreen: Songs about Death and Love," the author delves into the intricate relationship between memory, language, and identity formation. The story revolves around Haba Habinsky, a refugee from Ukraine's Donbas region, who flees to Kyiv at the beginning of the Ukrainian-Russian war. Habinsky's physical displacement and deliberate adoption of the Ukrainian language create a state of disorientation, forcing him to question his beliefs.

Written in a captivating and experimental style, the novel showcases the transformative power of both individuals and cities. It explores how people and communities can undergo radical changes, impacting their interpersonal relationships and cultural identities. Rafeyenko's novel addresses crucial topics sparked by Russian aggression that began in 2014, offering a fresh perspective on Ukrainian identity from the Donbas region.

Through its innovative and insightful exploration, "Mondegreen" offers a profound reflection on the complexities of human perception, language, and identity. It challenges readers to reconsider their assumptions and perceptions, fostering a deeper understanding of the world around us.

Weight: 254g
Dimension: 129 x 203 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780674271708