Good Greek Girls Don't . . .

"Frieda Belakhova's book is the story of her life, family, friends and neighbours told in an unhurried, detailed letter addressed to her son... The value of Frieda Belakhova's narrative is in her ability to notice the most characteristic features of people of that time, be it their appearance or inner world, the details of their social and national world, and the motives for their behaviour within their family and society as a whole. And as her memories cover the period from her early post-war childhood until her departure from the Soviet Union in the mid-seventies of the 20th century, we become witnesses of her gradual psychological maturing with age. This gives us an understanding of the ways that Soviet society functioned and what conditions the majority of the citizens of the USSR found themselves living in. The particular predicament of Jews in that society and country is starkly presented, and Frieda shows that being Jewish meant to belong to a separate nationality which was discriminated against in many ways. This was the reality of life that Frieda Belakhova and all her generation suffered. I am sure this book will find its appreciative and interested readers. For people of the same generation as the author, the book will be a nostalgic reminder of their own life, their personal joys and sufferings. For younger generations and people unfamiliar with dictatorial regimes, it will be an eye-opening revelation..."
- Bogdan Sushinsky, Vice President of the Association of Ukrainian Writers