Red Harvest

Red Harvest / Michael Cherkas
New York : NBM Graphic Novels, ©2023
145 p.

This graphic novel is a vital introduction to the Holodomor for those who don't know anything about it. It's told by Mykola Kovalenko, an elderly man in Canada, the only known survivor of his family, who is looking at a family photo and finally telling his story to his own children and grandchildren. 

The Holodomor (Death by Hunger) happened in 1932-33 in Ukraine, when Stalin's policies of forced large-scale collectivization of individual farms and farmers across Ukraine led to mass starvation, deportations and murder. It weakened Ukraine, a prosperous and productive farming society, making it impossible to stand against Soviet invasion and land theft. There were millions dead in horrific ways, and is a generational trauma. 

This graphic novel presents the truth of this in a way that makes it comprehensible and not too overwhelming for the reader. There are representatives of each position in this story; a son-in-law who is a Bolshevik idealist despite the realities of what their ideals actually meant, punitive government officials, innocent children (Mykola's siblings, who all die from some element of the situation), rich farmers, traitors, and those who still found kindness within themselves despite conditions. 

It's powerful and disturbing. The artwork is simple, monotone colours and sketchy lines. The author & artist talked about his thought process coming to the decision on how to render the story, and that the stark lines were the most truthful way he could share this book. It does have an impact and I think it reflects the content well, supporting it, and not distracting from the facts. Cherkas is a Canadian of Ukrainian heritage, and has spent his whole life in the graphic design/art/cartoon field, and his skill really made this book something special. 

This is an important book to read if you are wondering about the past relationship between Ukraine and Russia and why Ukraine is so adamant about its sovereignty. It gives some context to a centuries old conflict. But it's not very pleasant reading; history is not always easy. 

If you're interested in learning more, True North Country Comics interviewed Cherkas on their podcast in 2023, and you can listen to it here.