White Moss, Anna Nerkagi
White Moss, Anna Nerkagi
List: $18.99 | Sale: $13.29
Club: $9.49

White Moss

Author: Anna Nerkagi

Narrator: Chloe Cannon

Unabridged: 5 hr 25 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 04/07/2026


Synopsis

A poetic and fiercely moving Russian novel of tradition, change, and thwarted desire by an internationally celebrated writer from the Indigenous Nenets community of northern Siberia. Perfect for readers of Ceremony by Leslie Marmon Silko, the work of Louise Erdrich, and other emotionally powerful, lyrical narratives of global Indigenous communities.

Providing rare, direct insight into the beauties and struggles of the Indigenous reindeer-herding Nenets community of the Russian north, White Moss tells a piercingly moving coming-of-age story of the conflict between individual dreams and collective life.

On the eve of his wedding, young Alyoshka pines for an earlier love. Ilne chose to leave the nomadic Nenets community behind 7 years before, moving to the city and taking his heart with her. As the seasons have passed and his mother has grown older, Alyoshka has been under increasing pressure to marry and fully embrace the Nenets’ age-old customs of home and family. Unwilling to give up his hope for another life, the young man struggles against everything he has been taught to accept, while other painful transitions shake the stability of the small camp and minor human tragedies play out against the cold expanse of the tundra.

With bursts of lyricism and a Chekhovian eye for human frailty, Anna Nerkagi crafts a multi-voiced drama of tradition and change within her Indigenous community.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Angela M on January 15, 2026

I enjoy novels that present something new to learn about and that’s what led me to read this book about the Nenets, an indigenous people of Siberia, who are nomad reindeer herders. It’s described as a coming of age novel , but it was the struggle of the aging character that I found to be the most mo......more

Goodreads review by Clarissa on April 03, 2023

Die Sprache ist unglaublich zart und poetisch, genau wie die verhandelten Themen. Es geht um Menschen in einer Gemeinschaft, die Traditionen hinterfragen oder mit Veränderungen umgehen lernen müssen, während ihre Umwelt eine ständige Herausforderung ist und sie eigentlich auf ihren Zusammenhalt ange......more

Goodreads review by Translator on October 14, 2025

Not much to offer regarding this book other than it is beautifully written and masterfully translated. Anna Nerkagi had my heart in her hands so many times, I'm certain her fingerprints are there for good. And Irina Sadovina is now among my ten favorite translators. Really nice work. Dear Pushkin Pre......more

Goodreads review by Gill on February 15, 2026

This was a really fascinating book about the nomadic Nenets who herd reindeer in Northern Siberia. In addition the writing is exquisite and poetical, which brings the lives of these isolated people vividly to life. The narrative focuses on a small group who live in hide tents which are easy to disman......more

Goodreads review by Lyn on February 26, 2026

I thought this was beautiful. I subscribed to The Brick Lane book club because I wanted something different and this was certainly it. cultural identity love, loss, grieving and aging. so much in such a slim volume.......more