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Strong Roots
A Ukrainian Family Story, Interrupted
Brief Description
'An instant classic' NIGELLA LAWSON'Sweeping, intimate, defiant and brimming with love' LOUISE KENNEDY'It is the roots that keep the trees from falling during a storm. Olia Hercules tells us that the same is true for people and nations' SERHII PLOKHYI am writing this story without knowing...
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Strong Roots
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From the bestselling Ukrainian cookery writer comes a profound meditation on the hopes and fears across generations amid political upheaval
From the bestselling Ukrainian cookery writer comes a profound meditation on the hopes and fears across generations amid political upheaval
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Description
'An instant classic' NIGELLA LAWSON
'Sweeping, intimate, defiant and brimming with love' LOUISE KENNEDY
'It is the roots that keep the trees from falling during a storm. Olia Hercules tells us that the same is true for people and nations' SERHII PLOKHY
I am writing this story without knowing its end: it begins long before I was born and will continue long after I die. I am writing this story to help myself heal and to make you understand.
Strong Roots is the story of a century in Ukraine told through four generations of one extraordinary family. It takes us from years of Russification, to Oliaβs grandmotherβs deportation to snowy wastelands under Stalin, to her Aunt Zhenia's school protest, to her own parentsβ flight from Ukraine when their town was occupied in 2022.
This is an ode to the land, to ideas of home and belonging, and to family stories and recipes passed down the generations β the tang of sour cherries, the best way to make borsch. It is an account of resilience in the hardest of circumstances.
Strong Roots brims with hope and grief. It lays bare the compromises and betrayals of generations struggling and surviving through war, peace, invasion and exile. It is an uplifting reminder of how much the human spirit can endure when born from a land rich with strong roots.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781526662934
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 12 February 2026
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 24.0mm
Width: 128.0mm
Height: 196.0mm
Weight: 240g
Pages: 288
About the Author
Olia Hercules was born in the South of Ukraine. She studied Italian language and International Relations at the University of Warwick. After spending a year in Italy, Olia settled in London, pursuing a career in journalism. She would later quit her job as a film business reporter to pursue her dream to cook for a living. Dedicated to researching food culture and culinary traditions of countries less explored, Hercules is the author of the award-winning cookbooks Mamushka, Kaukasis and Summer Kitchens.
Twitter: @Olia_Hercules | Instagram: @oliahercules
Also by Olia Hercules
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Home Food
The new book from award-winning cookery writer and co-founder of #CookForUkraine 'Heartfelt storytelling and truly beautiful, honest food' Jamie Oliver 'Original, thought-provoking, beautiful. A wonderful book' Diana Henry 'This beautiful book makes me feel Iβm in Oliaβs kitchen, which is just as much a joy as the exquisite but simple recipes' Nigella Lawson 100 comforting recipes that unite us no...Hardback$5700Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
Kaukasis The Cookbook
From the winner of the Observer's Rising Star Award and Fortnum & Mason Debut Food Book Award 2016 comes a celebration of the food and flavours of the Caucasusβbridging Europe and Asia and incorporating Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Iran, Russia and Turkey. Olia Hercules introduces us to more than 100 recipes for vibrant, earthy, unexpected dishes from across the region such...Hardback$8000Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
Mamushka
Mamushka is a celebration of the food and flavours of the "Wild East" - from the Black Sea to Baku and Armenia to Azerbaijan, with over 100 recipes for fresh, flavourful, and unexpected dishes from across the region. Delight in creations such as the Moldovan giant cheese twist and Ukrainian buns with potatoes and shallots, or savour the Garlicky Georgian...Hardback$6999Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
Summer Kitchens
βA complete revelationβ NIGELLA LAWSON βWhat a wonderful world Olia and this cookbook transport us toβ ANNA JONES _______________________ This summer, here are the only recipes you need... What is a βsummer kitchenβ? In Ukraine, it refers to a small cooking space located in the veg garden, away from the main house. Drawing on fond childhood memories and countless conversations...Hardback$5299Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
Strong Roots
An instant classic β NIGELLA LAWSON Sweeping, intimate, defiant and brimming with love β LOUISE KENNEDY It is the roots that keep the trees from falling during a storm. Olia Hercules tells us that the same is true for people and nations β SERHII PLOKHY I am writing this story without knowing its end: it begins long before I was...Hardback$4499Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks
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