Family Hearth. Stories — Yevhen Hutsalo

Family Hearth. Stories is a moving collection by Yevhen Hutsalo that brings to life the struggles, hopes, and dignity of rural Ukraine in the aftermath of war. In the title story “Family Hearth,” Hanka is widowed and left to raise three children alone in a village recovering from conflict. Despite bureaucratic cruelty, scarcity, and social pressure, she chooses to rebuild her home, defend her family’s rights, and pursue her truth. Other stories in the volume explore themes of maturation, ties with one’s roots, the beauty of nature, and the vivid tapestry of village life. Hutsalo balances pathos and satire to craft portraits of common people whose inner lives resonate far beyond their small world.