Alpine Ballad is a haunting narrative by Vasil Bykau, masterfully translated for English readers. Set towards the end of World War II, the novel follows a Belarusian soldier and an Italian girl as they escape from a Nazi concentration camp into a harsh, snowy wilderness. Torn between duty and the human impulse to care, the soldier grapples with the decision of whether to leave the girl behind—a burden, or perhaps a beacon of hope amidst despair. As the pair navigate the treacherous landscape, an unexpected bond blossoms between them, one that defies the brutal forces of war and transcends even death. Bykau’s rich, psychological narrative, steeped in his own wartime experiences, delivers a profound meditation on humanity, compassion, and the resilient spirit that can emerge even in the darkest of times.
Translated into English by Mikalai Khilo.
This volume is a brand new paperback edition.
