And the Forests Here Are Quiet

"And Our Forests Are Quiet" is a new book by Alyona Selyutina, in which a mysterious, almost fairy-tale atmosphere of the Russian village blends with a subtle psychological story of the hero. This is a novel about love and loss—about trying to endure pain and find support and meaning again.

The path to the village of Malyye Ozyorki would have long been overgrown if not for rumors about the healer Darya. Semyon doesn’t believe that the village herbalist can help where city medicine proved powerless, but the children persuade him—and he agrees to just one, single visit. Only everything goes differently than he expected: the “appointment” turns into an unforeseen twist, and Semyon ends up staying in the village longer than planned. Why do the locals meet him without joy? And why does everyone keep talking about wolves in the forest…

Wolves won’t frighten Semyon: the most terrible thing—his wife’s death—has already happened in his life. But is it true that nothing heavier can be? Or is there another ordeal ahead, one he isn’t ready for?

Who this book is for
For lovers of contemporary prose with parable motifs, echoes of folklore, a mystical undertone, and a rural atmosphere.
For readers whose hearts are touched by stories about living through loss, memory, and the search for a new life.
For fans of Alyona Selyutina’s work.