Leap Year Torn Apart is a deeply emotional and poetic exploration of personal and collective memory, set against the backdrop of Stalinist Russia. Why was this an important book for you to write?

Writing this book was a deeply personal journey for me. It began with the birth of my daughter, who is named after my late mother. She was born in April, just a few days before the anniversary of my mother’s passing. This poignant timing became an emotional catalyst for me to leave my daughter—and future generations—a lasting account of the tragedy that befell our family.

As I delved into the writing process, the story naturally evolved. What began as a deeply personal recounting of loss expanded into a broader reflection, connecting our family’s suffering with the shared pain of thousands of families during the final years of Stalin’s rule.

What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?

I have long wanted to preserve the events that shaped my family’s history before we planted our roots in Canada. It was important to highlight my parents’ determination, resilience, and especially my mother’s unwavering commitment to preserving her cultural and ethnic identity, even in the face of immense hardship.

I also hope the book serves a larger purpose. Believing in the power of storytelling—that “the pen is mightier than the sword”—I want future generations to develop a deeper appreciation for our historical struggles. My hope is that, through understanding these struggles, they will gain a stronger sense of themselves and the enduring strength of the human spirit.

How did you decide what to include and leave out in your book?

Childhood memories don’t unfold as a straightforward timeline; they linger as flashpoints—events that imprint themselves deeply on the subconscious, especially when they’re marked by tragedy. These moments stay with us forever.

For example, I could never forget accompanying my grandmother to meet my father when he returned from the Gulag or those monthly trips we made together to collect a meager allowance because she had been designated as my guardian. These memories were already vivid and complete in my mind. My task as a writer was simply to capture them honestly, without embellishment or omission.

What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your story?

I hope readers understand that the notion of people like us leaving Russia because we were unpatriotic, greedy, or selfish is entirely false.

It is no exaggeration when I wrote: “…thousands grew up like me, their lives’ pages torn out by evil.” If anything, I should have said tens of thousands. The lives of countless families were shattered and destroyed by Stalin and his enablers.

I firmly believe that those who left Russia once the gates of freedom opened carried with them profound memories of suffering, many just as tragic as my own. I hope my story not only sheds light on these truths but also honors those who endured similar fates.

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