Elena Chizhovа is a woman from St. Petersburg who has written five novels.
The Petersburg theme is invariably present in her prose: it sets the atmosphere, influences psychology, and shapes the characters. Moreover, more often than not it does so through female characters, since Chizhova clearly gravitates toward women’s images and stories, toward women’s destinies.
Two of her novels—“Lavra” and “The Criminal”—were included in the shortlist for the “Russian Booker” award, and her most recent book, “Time of Women,” received this prize.