The author of the book "Eat, Pray, Love" postponed the release of Roman about Siberian hermits due to criticism

The American writer Elizabeth Gilbert transfers for an indefinite time the release of her new novel “Snow Forest” about the family of the Old Believers of the Lykov, living in the Siberian wilderness in the 1930s. This decision was influenced by criticism from Ukrainian readers, writes BBC.

“I do not want to harm people who have already experienced - and continue to experience - heavy and extreme harm,” the writer said in her video message published on Twitter. She assured that the readers who made a preliminary order of the novel would "fully return the money."

The release of the "snow forest" was scheduled for February 13, 2024, shortly before the second anniversary of the full -scale Russian invasion of Ukraine. On the GODREADS bookmaker, an unpublished book has already received more than 500 negative reviews, including Ukrainians:

"Seriously? The best time to promote the" mysterious Russian soul ", Russia and the Church, when they perform genocide";

"It is painful to hear that many famous authors today, during the ongoing invasion of Russia to Ukraine, still consider it normal to cultivate and accept their culture. This is disgusting."

The American publicist Katerina Brodskaya, who was born in Ukraine, in the comments on the post, Gilbert noted that the book, the action of which takes place in Siberia of the past, has nothing to do with the “glorification of the barbarian actions of the Russian army and the government today,” as well as those who support them.

"There are those who deserve anger - those who promote violence, oppression and hatred, but there are those who do not deserve this. We must be careful not to dump everyone into one heap so as not to become like them," the author said.

• Elizabeth Gilbert is the author of Bestseller Books, Pray, Love, who describes her journey through Italy, India and Indonesia after a divorce from her husband and her discovery during this trip.
• The family of the Old Believers of the Lykov, to whom Roman Gilbert was dedicated to, in the late 1930s, went to live in the forest, hiding from the repressions of the USSR authorities. Hermit of Agafya Lykova, daughter of Karpa Lykova, continues to live on family borrowing in the forest of West Sayan (Republic of Khakassia)