You can’t just kiss anyone you want by Marzena Sowa
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Although it isn’t named, this story is taking place after World War II in what, in the west, was known as the Eastern Block, the Eastern European countries that the Soviets took over. The children are being taught to love Russia and especially Stalin. It is at one such screening of a propaganda film that the little boy, in the title of the story, tries to kiss a little girl, and she screams. The film is stopped, and he is questioned, more than one would imagine for such a minor incident. His father is a writer, and the authorities think he is writing something that he shouldn’t.
This is all being told from the view of a child. The child knows his father writes, but doesn’t quite understand, in the beginning, why this is bad. As the child says in class “We can think whatever we want, but we can’t say it.”
It is a gripping, sad, thoughtful story of the little things you can do to not have the “state” take over your very thoughts.
Good, quick story. Recommend it highly. Very well translated.
Here are some examples of the artwork, which says so much with just a few pictures and words:
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.