A Doctor's Journey from Odesa to Germany and Back in Tailwind

A new novel by Iryna Fingerova tells the story of a Jewish doctor who flees Ukraine only to return years later. Tailwind, published by Rowohlt Verlag, follows Mira Zehmann as she rebuilds her life in Germany while grappling with the pull of her homeland. The book explores themes of displacement, memory, and the lingering effects of war on those who leave—and those who stay behind.

Mira Zehmann, a general practitioner, leaves Odesa for Germany after Russia's invasion upends her world. In her new life, she treats Ukrainian refugees who arrive with stories of loss and fear. Their struggles mirror her own unresolved emotions: grief for what was lost, guilt over leaving, and anger at the war's destruction.

The novel shifts between Mira's present in Germany and her past in Odesa. Haunted by memories of her grandmother, friends, and the city's vibrant streets, she eventually decides to return. Her journey back forces her to confront what remains—and what has changed forever.

Iryna Fingerova, the book's author, knows this tension well. Born and raised in Odesa, she now lives in Germany, working as a doctor, journalist, and writer. She also founded Theater of the Ear, an audio-focused project in her hometown. At the Leipzig Book Fair, journalist Andreas Rüttenauer will lead a discussion on Tailwind, bringing Fingerova's exploration of war, exile, and return to a wider audience.

Fingerova's third novel arrives as many Ukrainians continue to navigate displacement and longing. Tailwind does not offer easy answers but instead traces one woman's attempt to reconcile her past with an uncertain future. The book stands as both a personal story and a reflection of the broader disruptions caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine.