Stories I Stole

Stories I Stole chronicles journalist Wendell Steavenson's time living in the Republic of Georgia during the early 2000s. Through a series of interconnected stories, she documents her experiences in this post-Soviet nation as it grapples with political upheaval, economic hardship, and cultural transformation. The book follows Steavenson as she travels across Georgia's regions, from the capital Tbilisi to remote mountain villages and conflict zones. She recounts encounters with local characters, from government officials to taxi drivers, while navigating the complexities of daily life in a society marked by frequent power outages, bureaucratic hurdles, and the lingering effects of civil war. These collected narratives explore memory, identity, and survival in a land caught between its Soviet past and an uncertain future. Through personal observations and historical context, Steavenson's work examines how ordinary people adapt to extraordinary circumstances while maintaining their dignity, humor, and hope.

Readers appreciate Steavenson's raw, honest portrayal of post-Soviet Georgia and her immersive approach to capturing daily life there in the late 1990s. Many note her skill at weaving historical context with personal narratives. Readers highlight the author's interactions with locals and her observations of Georgian customs, food, and hospitality. Several reviews mention the effective balance between serious reporting and humorous moments. Common criticisms include a scattered narrative structure and difficulty following the timeline of events. Some readers found the writing self-indulgent and felt Steavenson focused too much on her personal experiences rather than Georgian perspectives. Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (233 ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (31 ratings) "Captures the chaos and charm of Georgia perfectly" - Amazon reviewer "Too much about the author's journey of self-discovery" - Goodreads reviewer "Brings post-Soviet Georgia to life but loses focus in places" - LibraryThing reviewer

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🌟 The book's title comes from Wendell Steavenson's realization that she was "stealing" stories from Georgia's people during her two years living there, as she wasn't giving anything back in return for their hospitality and openness 🌟 Steavenson lived in Georgia during 2001-2003, a particularly turbulent period when the country was dealing with widespread corruption, electricity shortages, and the aftermath of its independence from the Soviet Union 🌟 Before writing this book, Steavenson worked as a journalist for Time magazine and The New Republic, covering conflicts in Iraq, Lebanon, and Egypt 🌟 The author lived in a crumbling apartment in Tbilisi without reliable heat or electricity, giving her firsthand experience of the daily challenges faced by ordinary Georgians during this period 🌟 Many of the stories in the book focus on the region of Svaneti, a remote mountainous area known for its medieval tower houses and fierce traditions of blood feuds and honor codes