Drakulic, a renowned journalist and writer, utilizes her keen eye for detail and truth in this quest that shows how communism has devastating effects on the common citizen. She provides insight into the conditions of life for women within a communist system. Several points of view from those living under such a regime are documented in this collection of 19 essays. The author highlights the unimportant aspects of life and how they are important as symbols of recurring injustice under this communist regime in Eastern Europe.

This book is not a comprehensive or academic study, because it does not intend to serve that purpose. However, it is a documentation of real stories which may be used to supplement some academic investigation. Drakulic's approach is unique since it blends analysis with the aspects of everyday life. Also, it reads like a piece of fiction; it is captivating. The literature of How We Survived Communism and Even Laughed harnesses Drakulic's passion with the communist struggle, and it leaves a memorable mark with its audience.

akia, Poland, Hungary, Bulgaria, and East Germany result in adequate research of several personalities and experiences. This extensive research abroad, coupled with Drakulic's own background experiences, provides a solid groundwork for the author's thesis. However, any amount of research cannot surmount to the experiences Drakulic faced growing up with the lifestyle that comes with communist rule.

learned everything about my sex from these

thin paper dolls-or, at least, the basi

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Approximate Word count = 688
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)