Looking at Women, Looking at War: Cities of Literature Book Club

In June 2023, Ukrainian poet and war-crimes investigator Victoria Amelina was in a restaurant in the Ukrainian city of Kramatorsk when it was struck by a Russian missile. She died a few days later of the injuries she sustained, leaving the book she was working on unfinished. Published posthumously and awarded the 2025 Orwell Prize for Political Writing, Looking at Women, Looking at War is a powerful work that bears witness to both the ravages of war and the strength of the human spirit.

In this special book club discussion, writer and cultural consultant Kate Larsen and Booker Prize-longlisted Canadian-Ukrainian novelist Maria Reva (Endling) come together with host Madison Griffiths (Sweet Nothings) to discuss Amelina’s work and legacy – from documenting the powerful acts of resistance undertaken by Ukrainian women, to exploring the intersections of gender, power and conflict.

This is a panel-style book club discussion. Audience members will not be expected to read or discuss the book.

In partnership with Victorian Women’s Trust