Cassandra (1907) is my favourite poetic drama by Lesia Ukrainka. It exemplifies the aspects of the iconic Ukrainian writer which I have often emphasised: Ukrainka is a writer not of hope but of absolute moral clarity; she revises foundational western myths from a woman’s viewpoint; and hers is a bloody amazing writing which English-speaking readers will soon be able to access thanks to Nina Murray’s forthcoming translation (sample it in LUR). Another fascinating aspect of Cassandra is the way this universal tragedy comments on women’s specific experiences at the turn of the century, in particular, on the position of the woman author whose literary authority is constantly undermined.
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