The Flood

The FLOOD is Yevhen Lir’s first English-language book in the genre of narrative nonfiction, blending documentary material with literary storytelling. It is a journey into the Kherson steppes, built on the testimonies of people who survived the Russian occupation and the devastating aftermath of the destruction of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant.

At the heart of the book is the Watchmaker, who arrives in Kherson and meets people who witnessed the flooding and the occupation firsthand. Among them are local residents who managed to survive and escape, volunteers who tried to save animals, workers from local museums and cafés, and soldiers involved in dealing with the consequences of the Russian terrorist attack. Through these vivid voices, the book portrays a collective trauma and draws a connection between Russia’s present-day aggression and the tragedies of the past. Some of its witnesses are older residents who had once already been forced to leave their homes under Soviet rule and are now being driven into evacuation once again. Despite its tragic foundation, The FLOOD also captures the beauty of southern Ukraine and emphasizes the importance of preserving its culture and memory. The book draws attention to what Russian forces destroyed, including the unique murals of local artist Polina Raiko.
By combining real testimonies with a literary narrative, Yevhen Lir tells a story of Ukrainian resilience, mutual care, and human solidarity. At the same time, the book reminds us how important it is to document Russian war crimes and to amplify Ukrainian voices that the world too often fails to notice.