Four Minutes

i'll come back to this eventually 

I wish I had elaborate words to explain my feelings about this book, so I will leave this instead:
I cried and it hit home, from the Eastern European culture to the hardships found in those countries, it is nice to be seen, even on a tangential note.

Literary translated fiction about a young queer woman, Leah, a traumatised orphan who struggles to integrate into her Bulgarian society, and tries to adopt a young child. 
Ooh this was a gorgeous reading. Told through short chapters and vignettes, The writing offered some gorgeous and emotional passages. The author did a great job showing the hardships of women and children, orphans, refugees, disabled and queer people who try to survive through the horrors of their lives.  This was a very short read (could be done in a single sitting) and I kind of wish it was longer as I grew so attached to Leah. The author also did a great job with the vignettes telling stories of random characters, illustrating the main themes while still able to make us care and feel for these people.   A stunning and powerful quick debut novel and I'll definitely check out her other books.