A Woman Can Be Trusted is a new novel by Maria Matios, in which she masterfully combines the present and the past. The author recreates important events of the past that leave a deep mark on the lives of the characters. The book transports the reader to the 1970s–1980s, when society was under the pressure of ideological censorship, prohibitions, and persecutions, through the insidious methods of work of the KGB. The writer describes in detail the everyday life of that time, reflecting ideological battles and psychological tension.
The central theme of the novel is the question of memory, forgiveness, and choice. How often we live in the past, clinging to it and guarding, like a treasure, our pains, grievances, fears that do not allow us to move forward. The characters try to find a way to get rid of their ghosts of the past and free themselves from the fear that remains from what has been lived through.
And although the methods of the repressive bodies have changed, the intrigues and manipulations remain relevant even in the modern world, turning into more refined games with people. Matios gives a deep understanding of how important it is to be able to forgive, cleanse one’s soul and move forward, renouncing anger and grievances.
