Soviet Milk

Nora Ikstena drew heavily on her own experiences growing up in Soviet-era Latvia and her relationship with her mother to write Soviet Milk. While fictionalized, the novel reflects the historical realities and personal struggles of that period.

Soviet Milk was a finalist for the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development Literature Prize. It also received the Latvian Literature Award for Best Prose.

The narrative of Soviet Milk unfolds across multiple timelines, shifting between the perspectives of the mother and daughter at different stages of their lives. This structure gradually reveals their intertwined histories and the impact of the Soviet regime.