"Deep in an Estonian forest, two women -one young, one old- are hiding.
Zara is a prostitute and a murderer, on the run from brutal captors, men who know about inflicting punishment. Aliide offers refuge but not safety: she has her own secrets. traitorous crimes of passion and revenge committed long ago, during the country's brutal Soviet years.
Both women have suffered lives of abuse. But this time their survival depends on revealing the one thing history has taught them to keep safely hidden: the truth.
A haunting, intimate and gripping story of suspicion, betrayal and retribution against a backdrop of Soviet oppression and European war."

I've read the book in Finnish, it was great and very impressive. I appreciate that Oksanen makes the recent history of Estonia known everywhere.

A wishlist book to the winner of the July RABCK sweepstake. Congratulations!

Thanks you so much for this book, it seems pretty interesting. Thank you also for sending not one but two books. It's been a while since I won a Sweeps and I'm already loving it! :D

I think I'm growing into loving more and more mystery, thriller and horror books. This one kept me gripped from the beginning and although sometimes it bothered me the suspition between both women against each other while Zara was in hiding, Aliide's story is very compelling, it made me miss a few bed times.

reserved

This book is going to its next reader as part of the Alphabet VBB. I hope you enjoy it!

Arrived safe and sound. Thank you!

Although this book left me horrified many times, I have to admit it was a great read.

In Post-communist Estonia, Aliide lives a secluded life in a remote village, but her peace is shattered when a young prostitute, running away from her dangerous pimp, falls on her doorstop. Aliide, in her old age, does not like surprise guests, but decides to take Zara in, starting a strange relationship, which will lead to the revelation of long buried secrets.

With “Purge”, we learn about the hardships in communist Estonia and the author does not leave anything out. The random interrogations and torture, the constant hunger and the desperate situations that turn a human being into a beast. The fall of the Iron Curtain does not only bring freedom, and there are some very creepy chapters about human trafficking for prostitution. This is a very dark book, but a true page-turner, with some very good writing for good measure.

Leaving this book at my local park, where lots of people like to walk. I hope someone takes it home :-)