Modern Social Science Research

Alexeevich’s Last Witnesses records 101 oral memories of children during World War II using a thematic-juxtaposition narrative technique. The book uses the first-person perspective to comment on the war from the viewpoint of minor characters, while also conveying powerful humanistic concern and narrative healing. These dimensions include historical and real space, physiological and psychological space, and individual and collective space. The writing of the novel explores the various spatial dimensions of trauma experienced by children during World War II. The novel sheds light on the hidden traumatic experiences of a small group of people who were often neglected during this time.

Alexeievich; Last Witnesses; Spatial narratives; Trauma writing; Narrative healing