Lev Golinkin

About the Author

Lev Golinkin is an acclaimed author and journalist whose work delves into the harrowing realities of displacement and resilience. Born in Kharkiv, Ukraine, he emigrated to the United States as a child refugee during the waning days of the Soviet Union, an experience that profoundly shapes his writing. Golinkin's memoir, A Backpack, a Bear, and Eight Crates of Vodka: A Memoir, chronicles his family's perilous journey to freedom, blending humor, heartache, and historical insight to illuminate the immigrant experience. A contributor to outlets like The New York Times and Foreign Policy, he advocates for refugees and human rights, drawing from his own story to foster empathy in an increasingly divided world. His voice, both poignant and unflinching, continues to resonate with readers seeking understanding amid global upheaval.