We are pleased to present here an overview of Karine Rashkovsky’s An Improbable Life: My Father’s Escape from Soviet Russia, accompanied by a short piece of commentary on the book from the author.
An Improbable Life: My Father’s Escape from Soviet Russia is going to be published on September, 2024, and will be available for preorder wherever books are sold.
A Note From the Author
My father’s story is not just a collection of memories and experiences; it is a testament to the strength of the human spirit, the will to survive, and the courage to face insurmountable obstacles. It is also a tale of coming of age, searching for belonging, and daring to escape an oppressive, tightly controlled Communist regime.
But for me, it is much more.
When I was growing up, my father’s accounts of his time in the Soviet Union and his subsequent near impossible escape always left me in awe. However, it wasn’t until I convinced him to let me collect and write his stories that I put all the puzzle pieces together and came to a clear understanding of the magnitude of his journey. From his childhood misadventures in the days of Stalin to his increasing awareness of the paradoxes of the oppressive regime as he grew older, he faced his circumstances with a determination rooted in the constant hope that a better life was possible.
But beyond my personal connection, I believe it is important for all readers to learn of my father’s experiences. The events that my father describes are not just a part of his personal history but also a part of the collective history of those who have lived under oppressive regimes. His story is a reminder of the human cost of political oppression and the sacrifices that people must sometimes make to protect their freedom. Whether you have personally experienced the challenges of totalitarianism or not, my father’s story speaks to the power of human resilience in the face of adversity.
In today’s world, we are still grappling with issues of political oppression and the need for personal freedom. This memoir serves as a reminder that these issues are not just theoretical concepts, but real struggles that people are facing every day. Indeed, as I write this, such a struggle is playing out dramatically in the same part of the world where most of this book takes place.
I am thus honored to introduce my father’s improbable life to you, in his voice. It is my hope that my account of my father’s descriptions of life in the Soviet Union and his harrowing escape will keep readers turning pages, and his reflections on the meaning of freedom and the power of hope will remain with you long after you finish the book.
From evading the KGB and disassembling a downed American spy plane to staging a daring dissident hunger strike and narrowly escaping a life sentence in Siberia, Reuven Rashkovsky’s story is a gripping tale of coming of age, searching for belonging, and daring to escape the tightly controlled Soviet regime. Relayed in his point of view by his daughter, Dr. Karine Rashkovsky, An Improbable Life tells the story of a man who has been at the center of some of the most dramatic and tumultuous events in modern history: World War II, Stalin’s death, the Six-Day War while serving in the Red Army, Nixon’s grain deal, the infamous Air France-Uganda hijacking—and many more—up to and beyond the collapse of the USSR, all while providing moving insights into the world of Soviet Jewry and the almost insurmountable obstacles to getting out.
Filled with quirky, revealing anecdotes, An Improbable Life is a valuable historical resource for anyone intrigued by culture and identity in the Soviet Union from the last days of Stalin to the Brezhnev era and the paradox and perils of being outcast—and possibly heroic—in that time and place. Beyond history, the book is a suspenseful nailbiter—stolen KGB typewriters and prison passports, rescuing the love of one’s life from solitary confinement in the notorious, inhumane Lubyanka prison, and so much more—the list of thriller-esque moments is long and spellbinding. And of course, An Improbable Life is timely; with the return of a totalitarian, tyrannical, imperialist Russia, Rashkovsky’s story is all too relevant to today’s struggles. Here is an improbable true story of what can indeed, be possible.
The book will be published in September 2024.
Karine Rashkovsky
Dr. Karine Rashkovsky, PhD. is the proud daughter of a brave man whose memories laid the foundation of An Improbable Life. With a French first name, Russian last name, and West Coast abode, her own trans-continental story is but a thread in a wider tapestry of incredible intergenerational tales—legend-worthy anecdotes that pull heart strings, offer laughs, and reveal tidbits of tantalizing history. While she has long been the author of a variety of published works, Karine is also an award-winning entrepreneur, educator, academic, artist, speaker, and executive coach. She currently resides on the west coast, where she spends her time exploring history, nature, and nerdy podcasts.
Praise for An Improbable Life: My Father’s Escape from Soviet Russia
“Karine Rashkovsky’s An Improbable Life: My Father’s Escape from Soviet Russia tells an important story, all the more important today as freedoms previously taken for granted seem fragile, and there is a price to be paid for being a Jew. Karine narrates her father Reuven’s life in his voice, first as a talented and ambitious Jew yearning for freedom in the oppressive world of the Soviet Union, and then as a Jewish activist, seeking freedom for himself and his fellow Jews and being oppressed for that very yearning. She tells of his journey to freedom and his new life in Israel, France, and finally in Canada, The story is told with charm and depth and includes her mother’s equally improbable journey and the struggles of her grandparents. It reminds us of the great achievement of the last generation, the exodus to freedom of Soviet Jews, the courage of a generation asking for the most basic of rights, the freedom to live as a Jew openly, joyfully. It reminded me of the courage it takes to confront Pharaoh, part the Sea, walk through the desert and reach the promised land.” — Dr. Michael Berenbaum, Distinguished Professor, American Jewish University
“An Improbable Life is powerful, inspiring, and timely. This important contribution to Soviet, Canadian, and Jewish history and human rights is thought-provoking and jam-packed with lessons and legacies that are relevant locally and globally today. In skillfully telling Reuven’s remarkable story, Rashkovsky writes from the heart, bringing to life his indomitable courage, determination, strength, and hope despite the widespread social injustices and rampant antisemitism he and his family experienced. From discrimination at school and university, to being conscripted into the Red Army, to working on fighter jets, to succeeding in fleeing Soviet Russia against all odds, to immigrating and settling in Canada and beyond, Reuven’s adventurous life, survival, and success were certainly improbable. His story is a page turner, and his achievements are a poignant reminder and call to action to never give up on our dreams in the pursuit of freedom and social justice for all.” — Dr. Karlee Sapoznik Evans, Historian and Human Rights Scholar
“Beautifully written, this is a rare first-person account of Reuven Rashkovsky, a person who managed to beat the odds by living a remarkable, successful and brave life in the circumstances which made it almost impossible. As a Jewish person born in the postwar Stalin’s Soviet Union, he managed to get an education, build a family, and successfully fight to escape the country. Filled with details of everyday interactions, difficult decisions and genuine love for one’s family, the book is impossible to put down. Highly recommended.” — Dr. Anna Shternshis, Professor, University of Toronto
“A revealing, fascinating, and candid story of liberation from the burden of bureaucratically assigned Jewishness. The book is a good read for anyone, and a good source for historians of Soviet Jewry.” — Dr. Gennady Estraikh, Professor, New York University
“Karine Rashkovsky’s An Improbable Life: My Father’s Escape from Soviet Russia is a must-read tour de force. While many books have been written on Soviet life, this one is undoubtedly unique. It offers an intimate glimpse into the mid-century life of a provincial Jewish family that in the face of daily struggles to survive and pervasive antisemitism not only perseveres, but achieves academic and professional success. Radiating with the narrator’s joie de vivre, this story illustrates how dedication, friendship, love, and unrelenting persistence help one person break free from the shackles of oppression. Readers are left with optimism and hope as they follow the challenges and triumphs of Reuven’s resilient story which chronicles immigrating to foreign countries, adapting to new cultures and languages, and overcoming personal tragedies, all the while devotedly working to better the world around him. Rashkovsky’s captivating writing style pieces together a work that is deeply cathartic for those from a similar background, and invaluable for anyone with an interest in the Soviet Jewish experience. This evocative, informative, and timeless narrative keeps readers hooked until the very last page.” — Anna Waisman, Ph.D. (Cand.) Clinical Psychology and Neuropsychology, Vanier Canada Graduate Scholar, York University
“An Improbable Life by Karine Rashkovsky is a powerful and moving tribute from a daughter to her father, Reuven Rashkovsky, who has been a source of inspiration and a heroic figure since her childhood. Narrated in Reuven’s voice, the book vividly portrays the challenges and resilience of Jewish life in the Soviet Union. Reuven’s journey from a brilliant mathematician denied opportunities in Moscow to his dramatic escape and new beginnings in Israel, France, and Canada is both heart-wrenching and inspiring. Despite relentless antisemitism and numerous setbacks, Reuven’s unwavering perseverance, ingenuity, and humor shine through. His story is a testament to the indomitable spirit of millions of Jews who faced similar struggles. This compelling narrative not only honors Reuven’s life but also serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring human quest for dignity and freedom. A must-read for anyone interested in history, perseverance, and the triumph of the human spirit.” — Dr. Alex Maizlish, Ph.D., Vanier Scholar, Mathematics and Data Science
“Karine Rashkovsky’s An Improbable Life: My Father’s Escape from Soviet Russia is an excellent biography of Reuven Rashkovsky. Reuven was born to a Jewish family in Uzbekistan, where his parents were evacuated during the war. He grew up in the provincial city Belgorod-Dnestrovsky, Ukraine, where he often encountered antisemitism. Rashkovsky studied at the University of Odesa, and although he was an excellent student, after graduation he was not accepted to a Ph.D. program because he was Jewish. His desire to live in a free world brought Reuven to the Soviet Jewry emigration movement. With great difficulty and risk of being arrested by the KGB, he and other activists escaped from the Soviet Union to Israel. Reuven’s life had many other improbable twists and turns including his participation in the Yom Kippur War, his work in tech, and his time teaching at various educational institutions in Israel, France and Canada. This is an amazing life and journey, with many unpredictable ups and downs, and unforeseeable suffering and jubilation.” — Dr. Victoria Khiterer, Ph.D., Professor of History, Millersville University
“An Improbable Life offers a succinct and compelling account, showcasing how threads of family, friends, mentors, social institutions, political oppression, and antisemitism formed the tapestry of Reuven Rashkovsky’s life. Straightforward descriptions of living circumstances, academic, and professional pursuits amidst shifting political regimes, international wars, and spanning four continents are woven together in this engaging and informative narrative, highlighting how individual lives unfold within broader national and global contexts. Ultimately focusing on lived experiences shaped by happenstance, tragedy, hope, and effort, this book offers a glimpse into times past, invites important contemporary philosophical considerations, and serves as a profound testimony to the underlying beauty of hope and human resilience.” — Dr. Jonathan S. Marion, Professor of Anthropology, Steps Along the Way