To Russia and Back: New York, Paris, Saint Petersburg, and Home (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9798985422856)

In "To Russia and Back," Aliss Valerie Terrell weaves a captivating and intimate narrative of her life, from her formative years as a student in Soviet-era Leningrad to her experiences as an American expatriate in Paris, and her eventual return to a Russia transformed. This is a story of a woman caught between worlds, navigating the currents of history, culture, and personal destiny.

When a young Aliss first sets foot in Leningrad, she is immediately enchanted by the city's enigmatic charm and the profound soul of its people. Her experiences during the waning days of the Cold War leave an indelible mark, sparking a lifelong connection to Russia that will call her back time and again. Years later, living in Paris with her own family, a deep yearning leads her on an improbable quest: to adopt a child from Russia. What follows is a grueling and emotionally charged battle against a labyrinthine bureaucracy, a testament to a mother's unyielding love and determination.

"To Russia and Back" is more than just a memoir; it is a rich and evocative exploration of cultural identity, the challenges of cross-cultural relationships, and the universal search for belonging. With poetic prose and unflinching honesty, Terrell invites readers to share in her moments of joy, heartbreak, and profound spiritual awakening. This is a story for anyone who has ever felt the pull of a distant land, dared to dream an impossible dream, or discovered that the longest journeys are the ones that lead us back to ourselves.

A sweeping memoir of love, loss, and the unyielding pursuit of family across continents and decades.

Praise for "To Russia And Back"

"Crossing an ocean and a continent, through love affairs and lifetimes, laughter and tears, To Russia and Back is a tale of astonishing scope and intimacy.

Aliss Terrell weaves an American soul-survival saga from Iron Curtain Leningrad to Putin's Saint Petersburg, from the rooftops of Paris to the inner chambers of family and self.

Terrell's voice is fearless, poetic, and unforgettable, a luminous, kaleidoscopic triumph of spirit and storytelling.

-Jennifer Murphy, author, First Responder