„This hero isn’t perfect, of course. His inexperience is painfully obvious in early dealings with Russia’s Vladimir Putin or on economic policy [...] Disillusionment sets in. But then Putin invades, instantly uniting Ukrainians behind their charismatic leader in an existential battle that, Rudenko patriotically concludes, could signify the “final rupture” between Russia and Ukraine.“ – theguardian.com
Admiring, But Not Uncritical
„In 38 short, zingy episodes that play on Zelensky’s TV career before winning the presidency of Ukraine in April 2019, Ukrainian journalist and political commentator Rudenko explores his subject’s life and important influences on the brash new leader, mostly before Russia’s invasion in February 2022.“ – kirkusreviews.com
Portrait of A Wartime Hero
„It was only a matter of time before a publisher rushed something into print about this man of the moment. The first, by the Ukrainian writer and commentator Sergii Rudenko, known for his political biographies, was initially published in Ukrainian in 2021 [...] Reading this biography now, in the wake of a war that upended our understanding of both Zelensky and Ukraine, presents his personal history in a new light.“ – newstatesman.com
The Man Behind the Combative Facade
„The takeaways from this uneven book are that Ukraine is a flawed democracy and that Zelenskiy, despite his reformist rhetoric, is a product of the system. But he’s hugely preferable to his adversary and if Ukraine manages to resist Putin’s attempt to drag it back into the Russian empire it will in no small way be down to a leader with the strength of character to rise to the daunting moment.“ – theguardian.com
Servant of The Ukrainian People
„Sergii Rudenko’s biography of Zelensky (kindly provided by the publisher for review) offers a touch more insight into the man and president, but does not offer a fully formed figure in the end. Its unconventional structure presents a series of episodes rather than a linear narrative biography. Not unlike Zelenky’s “Servant of the People” television program, each “episode” is self-contained, providing a glimpse into parts of Zelensky, his background, and those that exist in his orbit along with some contemporary Ukrainian history.“ – diplomaticourier.com
