Today’s book review is for Perestroika by João Cerqueira, a historical fiction novel about the effects of rise and fall of communism in the fictional country of Slavia.
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Book Synopsis
Perestroika overthrows communist regimes in Europe.
In the People’s Republic of Slavia the former leaders are trying to survive the new times, while their victims seek revenge. Former President Alfred Ionescu is placed in an asylum he himself built.
Zut Zdanov, the head of culture, is confronted with his child abuse.
Helena Yava, responsible for education, wants to avenge her lover’s death.
Igor Olin, responsible for the economy, fights for his disabled son to have a dignified life.
Art historian Silvia Lenka wants to know who her parents are.
Lia Kirchner, the daughter of a painter who died in a re-education camp, wants to know the truth.
Having as a binding element Pilate’s question to Jesus “what is truth?”, Perestroika is a novel of revenge, redemption and catharsis inspired by recent European history. From Goodreads.
“Forgiveness had a price for the executioner: some demanded one of his eyes, others a tooth; I will be satisfied with writing the truth.”
The Basics
Category: Historical Fiction
Tags: Historical Fiction, Government, Communism, Revenge, European History
Author: João Cerqueira
Publisher: Arkbound, January 2024
Where to Find: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Walmart
Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
**Spoilers Ahead**
The novel begins in 1978, with Slavia under the iron-fisted control of communist president Alfred Ionescu. It follows multiple citizens at various levels of Slavia’s social hierarchy, and the evident disparity between classes. Years laters in 1989, the Perestroika movement successfully topples the communist regime and new political players vie for power. The story continues following the lives of citizen storytellers, each with new perspectives following Ionescu’s removal. Some are seeking revenge for the suffering they and their families endured – while others are those once in power trying to survive the wrath of the very people they oppressed.
Thanks to author João Cerqueira, I received a digital copy of the thought-provoking historical fiction Perestroika. This book was a thoroughly enjoyable read that drew parallels between Slavia and the real world political climate of today.
“The contrast between the gigantic building and the smallness of the workers made them look insignificant beside the factory, giving the impression that they were tiny creatures entering the mouth of a monster.”
First Some Background Information
Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres, so when I got a request to read and review Perestroika by João Cerqueira I couldn’t wait to dive in! However I quickly realized after reading the first few pages that some preliminary background research would greatly help my understanding of the historical themes. Many of the historical fiction books I read are either based on the history of the United States or are more along the lines of historical romance fiction.
I didn’t have extensive knowledge on the rise and fall of communism in Eastern Europe outside of what I learned in school, so I did a bit of research before continuing the read. Here is some background information that helped me:
Communism – a political and economic ideology formed in opposition to capitalism. The goal of communism is to create a classless society where the means of production are commonly owned, and wealth is shared equally. In theory communism should eliminate inequality among citizens, but in practice has led to political repression, restriction of human rights, economic exploitation, and cultural and artistic censorship.
Perestroika – in literal terms means restructure. Perestroika was a political reform movement within the communist party of the Soviet Union during the late 1980s. The goal of Perestroika was not to completely overthrow communism, but to adopt elements of more liberal democratic economies for socialism to better meet the needs of the citizens.
Another helpful tip – Cerqueira begins the book with a list of characters with a brief description. I took a picture of this so I could easily access the character list without having to flip back to the beginning of the book.
So Let’s Get Into it…
The book is split into two parts, beginning with Part I: Paradise on Earth 1978. Reading from multiple character perspectives, we’re shown the two sides of the communist coin: those in political power reaping the rewards, and those being exploited who begin questioning the status quo. We follow the lives of key communist supporters including the President, Chief of Secret Police, and People’s Commissar of the Economy. Benefiting greatly from the system in place, they use whatever means necessary (both legal and illegal) to retain power and control. For a supposed “classless society” we’re shown the clear divide between the wealthy elite and the impoverished working class.
“With a thief, a rapist and a murderer as president, it’s no wonder the country is in the state it’s in.”
Slavia’s communist government uses every mechanism to preserve the current system. It is against the law to criticize the government in any way. Citizens are indoctrinated through propaganda and schooling to hate the West and capitalism. If you are caught speaking ill about the president, country, or government, you are convicted of sabotage and thrown into a “reeducation camp” without due process. In these camps, citizens are stripped of their basic human rights and forced into manual labor. Many fall ill, starve, or are murdered when in these concentration camps, reflecting the real life atrocities of The Gulag during Soviet-era Russia.
“Nearly two-third of the inmates had been sentenced for political crimes, charged with conspiracy, sabotage, or treason – accusations which were mostly unfounded, the result of neighbors or relatives informing on them, or of the excessive zeal of public servants who wished to please their superiors.”
The readers are introduced to an artist, Ludwig Kirchner, who was taken from his family and thrown into a concentration camp because the president thought Kirchner’s artwork was mocking him. This is an example of how the regime further censored the arts. His family has no way of getting in touch with him and don’t know the horrors he is facing at the camp. Kirchner dies at the concentration camp and his family isn’t even notified. This is the harsh reality that the citizens of Slavia are living in.
“The Party says the revolution was carried out to free the people from exploitation, but the truth is, they became the new exploiters.”
Contrary to reports from the Commissar of the Economy and the President, the country is in a poor financial state and the economy is struggling. There is not enough food for citizens and the working class, but the wealthy turn a blind eye to their despair. Using their status and influence they continue to thrive, buying food and goods from Ivan Fiorov – leader of an organized crime cartel that controls many of the imports and exports of Slavia.
Unrest grows as citizens show continual disdain for the Chief of Police, who’s increased the number of unwarranted and targeted arrests. The people of Slavia begin to organize, gathering support and meeting in secret to formulate a plan to overthrow the corrupt government. The decision they must face is whether or not to use violence for their cause; the government is actively using violence to remove anyone who steps out of line, so why shouldn’t the resistance do the same in the name of freedom? Do the means justify the ends?
“When communism collapses, you can be sure we’ll adopt the opposite system. The change with be brutal, and no one will have the power to stop it.”
The second half of the book is Part II: Perestroika 1989, which takes place after a time skip. The story continues following many of the same citizens from Part I, but now in the midst of Perestroika and the collapse of the communist regime. Characters who were in power during the late 70s and early 80s are ousted, with many tried for their crimes and sentenced to jail. Those who avoid incarceration are ostracized and live as social pariahs.
“Existence is a sinking ship, and we try to save ourselves. The world has never worked any other way.”
With the communist government crumbling, President Ionescu is deposed during a coup, and thrown (literally) out of his position of power.. The citizens of Slavia take their revenge on Ionescu by throwing him into an asylum, the very punishment he unjustly handed down often during his reign. After facing the same horrors he condemned thousands to, he has a mental break and is driven mad.
As a fledgling new democratic government begins to form, Ivan Fiorov (leader of the cartel) announces his bid for president. He assures the masses that he will lead the country into prosperity. When questioned about his nefarious past deeds, including catering to corrupt government officials, he says he only did it to survive. He also spent time in a reeducation camp just as many of them had – so he couldn’t possibly have been an accomplice to the previous government’s corruption. Many citizens believe his lies, and any who voice their opposition are permanently silenced – with methods to give the impression of suicide.
“The flame of the torch went out before anyone else could be burned.”
We’re also introduced to Lia Kirchner who, like many Slavians, simply wants answers and accountability for the crimes committed during Ionescu’s regime. She pursues the details surrounding the death of her father Ivan Kirchner – who perished after being sent to a reeducation camp in Part I. She also seeks compensation for his artwork, which was seized by Ionescu’s government cronies when he was taken. However, the journey to uncover the truth about her father’s unjust death isn’t as simple as she imagined, and she and her family are forced to flee the country to avoid a similar fate.
Though many sacrificed their lives to topple the oppressive rule described in Part I, the power of corruption and lies lead to the ascension of a crooked candidate becoming the new leader of a “free” Slavia. While Perestroika gave a glimpse of hope and the promise of change, the future for many of the citizens of Slavia remains as uncertain as ever.
“That’s our justice. An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth, and in the end, we’re all friends.”
Cerqueira refers to Pilate’s question to Jesus “what is truth?” as an integral element in Perestroika, and the theme is evident throughout. Every character has their own version of the truth. There are obvious heroic and villainous characters in this story, but each presents their own “truth”as justification for their actions. How far would one go to hold onto power? How far would one go to protect their family? And how far would one go to uncover the “truth?”
“One part would be real, another part she would have to invent, but was not that how history had been written throughout the centuries?”
So Bookmark or Bin it?
Conclusion: Bookmark it
Perestroika is a well written and thought-provoking historical fiction novel that once I started reading I couldn’t put down! By giving narration to the varied perspectives of a precarious political system, it made me want to learn more about the individual characters, their motives, and how their stories were connected. Though it is set in the late 1970s and 1980s, this book is relevant in today’s political climate with Cerqueira’s characters and themes echoing modern day conflicts. Skillfully weaving historical events into a fictional universe, Perestroika gives readers a front row seat to the impacts of class divide on all facets of society – and the lengths those in power will go to in order to keep it.
Fun Extra Tidbit
João Cerqueira resides in Portugal. He has written a total of 9 books and is the winner of numerous awards. Perestroika was nominated for and won the following awards:
Winner of the 2024 Independent Press Awards
Winner of the 2023 Historical Fiction Company Book of the Year
Bronze Medal in the 2023 Latino Book Awards
Finalist in the 2021 Eyland Awards
Finalist in the 2021 Fiction Factory
Excerpt nominated for the Pushcart Prize 2023
Thanks so much for reading my book review for Perestroika by João Cerqueira! Now it’s your turn! Have you read this novel or any others by Cerqueira and if so, what are your thoughts? Please feel free to share in the comments below!
Happy reading! 😊
