Vinayak Hegde's Reviews > Other Russias

Other Russias is a book that talks about ordinary people that are generally not covered in conventional media. The book uses a form of graphic reporting - a mixture of text and drawn pictures. The pictures themselves are drawn on the spot and hence much of the coverage is rawer and less refined than conventional media.

The book is divided into two parts, the first part - Invisible - looks at marginalized parts of the populations such as indentured labor (slavery), prostitutes, isolated villages, and imprisoned people. The second part - Angry - focuses on populist and political movements such as Pussy Riot trials, Grassroots political movements, and an LGBT Film festival.

The book is based on the period of Putin's rule till 2017 and lends through words and drawing the nameless and faceless people of Russia. Hence the name of the book "Other Russias". While I liked the book and its an interesting commentary, I felt that there was missing historical context in many of the stories (especially in the second half) and I had to go to Wikipedia and other sources to understand the background. Otherwise, it is a fine book that reminds me somewhat of Joe Sacco's work. Probably 3.5 stars.