There Once Lived a Woman Who Tried to Kill Her Neighbor's Baby

There Once Lived a Woman Who Tried to Kill Her Neighbor's Baby is a collection of nineteen short stories translated from Russian by Keith Gessen and Anna Summers. The stories merge everyday Soviet life with supernatural and fairytale elements to create a distinct genre of "scary fairy tales." The narratives take place against the backdrop of Soviet Russia, depicting characters who navigate harsh living conditions, communal apartments, and social tensions. Each story introduces ordinary people who encounter extraordinary or inexplicable circumstances that transform their reality. These tales draw from Russian folklore traditions while incorporating elements of psychological horror and magical realism. The supernatural aspects serve to highlight and intensify the real-world struggles of the characters. The collection explores universal themes of survival, redemption, and human nature through a uniquely Russian lens, offering commentary on how people maintain hope and humanity in challenging circumstances.

Readers describe these stories as dark, unsettling fairy tales that blend Soviet-era bleakness with supernatural elements. The collection maintains a consistent atmosphere of dread and psychological horror. Positive reviews highlight: - Clean, straightforward writing style - Ability to create tension in very short stories - Authentic portrayal of Soviet life - Creative mixing of folklore and realism Common criticisms: - Stories can feel repetitive in theme - Some translations seem awkward - Title is misleading (that specific story isn't included) - Too dark/depressing for some readers Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (5,900+ ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (115+ ratings) One reader noted: "Like Kafka writing Russian fairy tales." Another described it as "Brothers Grimm meets Soviet bureaucracy." Several reviewers recommend reading only 1-2 stories per sitting to avoid emotional fatigue from the heavy subject matter.

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🔸 Lyudmila Petrushevskaya was banned from publishing her work in the Soviet Union for two decades due to its dark themes and unflinching portrayal of Soviet life 🔸 The collection's English translation by Anna Summers and Keith Gessen won the World Fantasy Award and was named a New York Times Notable Book of the Year 🔸 The supernatural elements in many stories draw from traditional Russian folklore, particularly the concept of "bylichi" - tales that blend everyday life with mystical occurrences 🔸 The author grew up during World War II as an orphaned child on the streets of Moscow, experiences that deeply influenced her stark portrayal of survival in her writing 🔸 The book's stories were originally published in Russian under different collections, including "Immortal Love" and "The Black Coat," before being curated for English-speaking audiences