Polina Panassenko, a French-Russian author, has released a new novel titled À voix haute (Out Loud), which explores the lingering effects of Soviet-era repression under Joseph Stalin. Published on August 21, 2022, by Éditions de l'Olivier, the book follows the story of a 20-year-old Russian woman who dreams of becoming an actress and travels to Moscow to attend the National Theatre School. While there, she becomes involved in a personal quest to uncover the fate of her great-great-grandfather, who was deported to the Goulag—a network of forced labor camps—and never returned. The novel examines the silence surrounding such family histories and the broader historical legacy of Stalinist repression. The protagonist traces the life of Ivan Evdokimovitch Rebizov, her ancestor, who was arrested in September 1937 and died in December 1938 as a "kulak," a term used by the Soviet regime to label wealthy peasants and others as enemies of the state. The novel highlights the challenges of confronting this painful history, noting that in Russia, the Goulag system and the political repressions that occurred during Stalin's rule have not been officially recognized as crimes against humanity. No trials have taken place, and those responsible have not faced justice. In some cases, individuals involved in these repressions have been honored as heroes and even awarded medals. The protagonist's journey takes her to several locations in Russia, including Magadan, Khabarovsk, and Izvestkovy, where she attempts to uncover the truth about her ancestor's fate. However, she faces obstacles, as the organization responsible for commemorating victims of repression, Memorial, has been disbanded, and the Goulag museum has been closed. These developments make it difficult for her to fully disclose the details of her ancestor’s death or seek accountability for those responsible. À voix haute has been shortlisted for the prestigious Le Monde literary prize and reflects on how fear is passed down through generations and how language can shape historical memory. In the end, the protagonist brings back words that have not been spoken aloud for a long time—such as "victim of political repression" and "rehabilitation"—to her grandfather. However, she is told that a commemorative plaque cannot mention the death, as such memories are not welcomed in the current political climate. The novel underscores the tension between remembering the past and the challenges of doing so in a society that often suppresses such discussions.