--- title: "Germany Cancels Release of Novel About Love Between Ukrainian Woman and Russian Soldier in Occupied Kherson" description: "German publisher Molino Verlag has canceled the release of Yuna Liebrecht's novel about love between a Ukrainian woman and a Russian soldier in occupied Kherson following a wave of criticism for romanticizing war." date: 2026-10-19T16:08:50.608Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/germany-cancels-novel-kherson-love tags: [germany, publishing, literature, ukraine-war, kherson] author: "Marina Slivenko, Darya Fomina" publisher: "XAB.info" --- # Germany Cancels Release of Novel About Love Between Ukrainian Woman and Russian Soldier in Occupied Kherson ![Wooden library shelves with rows of colorful books related to literature and publishing](https://xab.info/media/2026/10/19/otmenili-izdanie-romana-o-lyubi-v-herseone/otmenili-izdanie-romana-o-lyubi-v-herseone-1.webp) ## Key Points - Molino Verlag canceled the publication of Yuna Liebrecht's novel "Who Am I When You See Me" before its release. - Critics accused the text of romanticizing the occupation and the suffering of Kherson residents. - The publisher and author claim the novel calls for humanity and peace rather than romanticizing war. - The scheduled November 1 release and November 7 presentation in Baden-Baden were disrupted. German publishing house Molino Verlag has canceled the release of Yuna Liebrecht's novel "Who Am I When You See Me," which was to be the author's literary debut. The book's events unfold in Kherson in the spring of 2022, immediately following the city's occupation. The decision to halt publication was made before the book was released—after the text faced criticism at the announcement stage for allegedly romanticizing war and civilian suffering. ### Concept and Plot According to the publisher's synopsis, following the occupation, a Ukrainian woman named Lucia loses almost everything that made up her life. After an explosion, she is rescued by a Russian soldier whose face is hidden behind a mask. When the characters meet again, a secret romantic relationship begins between them. At the same time, the description emphasizes: the better the heroine gets to know the man, the more obvious it becomes that love cannot eliminate violence or guilt. Their intimacy is presented as a trial in which fear, compassion, and moral responsibility intertwine. ### Wave of Criticism In one of the appeals sent to the publishing house, the editorial office's sensitivity to the Ukrainian experience was questioned. The message pointed out that portraying a Russian soldier in the role of a savior and romantic partner to a civilian Ukrainian woman risks romanticizing the occupation, violence, and the suffering of the population. According to the publishing house's management, these exact complaints formed the basis of their subsequent decision. ### Position of the Publisher and Author Molino Verlag director Matthias Sluniczek reported that publication was stopped at the author's request after numerous critical messages. He explained the concept as an encounter between two people whose feelings overcome external circumstances, stating: "This is truly a novel that calls for humanity and peace and opposes war." Sluniczek also suggested that the online backlash could have been an organized campaign. Liebrecht herself expressed readiness to apologize to those offended by her text, denied any intention to romanticize war, and noted that she is not from Ukraine and did not strive to recreate the war in the novel. ### Scholarship and Ruined Plans To work on the book, the writer received a grant from a writer support organization in Baden-Württemberg. The 264-page edition was scheduled for release on November 1, and the novel's presentation was to take place on November 7 at the book festival in Baden-Baden. Following the cancellation, all these plans were ruined. The case of Liebrecht's novel has once again drawn attention to how sensitive the topic of depicting war and occupation remains in literature: even with the peaceful intent stated by the publisher and author, the text sparked intense controversy over the boundaries of what is acceptable when describing the real suffering of the civilian population. ## Accounts differ ### Characterization of the novel's concept - **Molino Verlag publishing house and author Yuna Liebrecht:** The novel calls for humanity and peace, opposes war, and has no intention of romanticizing the occupation ([wave.rbc.ua](https://wave.rbc.ua/ukr/culture/okupant-roli-ryativnika-nimechchini-skasuvali-1792424627.html)) - **Critics who appealed to the publishing house:** The image of the Russian military as a savior and romantic partner of a Ukrainian woman risks romanticizing the occupation, violence, and population suffering ([wave.rbc.ua](https://wave.rbc.ua/ukr/culture/okupant-roli-ryativnika-nimechchini-skasuvali-1792424627.html)) *Where they agree:* The release of the novel was canceled, which is acknowledged by both the publisher and the author ## Fact-Check & Sources - [Оккупант в роли "спасителя": в Германии отменили выход романа о любви в Херсоне](https://wave.rbc.ua/ukr/culture/okupant-roli-ryativnika-nimechchini-skasuvali-1792424627.html) - Primary source: fact of release cancellation, plot, Sluniczek's and Liebrecht's statements, scholarship, dates (November 1 and 7), 264 pages. ## FAQ ### Why was the release of the novel canceled? According to Molino Verlag head Matthias Sluniczek, publication was stopped at the author's request after numerous critical messages accusing the text of romanticizing occupation and suffering. ### What is Yuna Liebrecht's novel about? The action takes place in Kherson in the spring of 2022: Ukrainian woman Lucia loses almost everything after the occupation, is saved by a Russian soldier after an explosion, and a secret romance begins between them, presented by the authors as a test of moral responsibility. ### When was the book scheduled for release? The 264-page edition was scheduled for release on November 1, and its presentation on November 7 at the book festival in Baden-Baden.