Who Is Afraid to Look at the Sea

Maria Golovanivskaya is a writer, translator, and journalist. Author of books «Contradiction in Essence», «Moscow Novel», «Twenty Letters to God», and «Pangea» (shortlist for «NOS» and «Made in Russia» awards).

«Who’s Afraid to Look at the Sea» is one of the most merciless texts, though at first glance it seems like a small, sad story of a failed love. But in fact, it’s the story of triumphant, accomplished UN-LOVE. The heroine of the novel arrives at an old-fashioned European resort seeking peace and happiness. All her life she fought against life itself. She lived by rules, without embellishment; she spoke the truth straight in the face—yet she finds herself in a world of serenity, old money, and beauty. She destroys that world around her, because otherwise she can’t—doesn’t know how, it won’t work. She wins—and she’s shattered…