German publisher cancels novel about Russian soldier and Kherson woman

Molino Verlag has cancelled publication of Juna Liebrecht's novel following accusations that it romanticised the war. Publishing director Matthias Slunitschek told dpa the decision was made at the author's request.

The novel, whose title translates as “Who I Am When You See Me”, is set in Kherson in spring 2022. A masked Russian soldier rescues a Ukrainian woman named Lyusya after an explosion, and the two subsequently begin a secret romantic relationship.

Slunitschek said the publisher had received numerous critical messages. He described the author's intention as a story about human connection overcoming external circumstances. Liebrecht apologised to people hurt by the book and said she had not intended to romanticise the war.

The novel had been scheduled for release on November 1, with a presentation in Baden-Baden on November 7.