What We Had to Lose

War and aggression: What have we lost and what have we gained?
100% of the profits from this book will be invested in the production of another graphic novel about war (published by Slowork Publishing).

This book collects two essay comics by Ukrainian cartoonist Zhenya Oliinyk, a former journalist, published in the New York Times and The New Yorker after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022:

“What We Lost While Living” about a partner and a corner coffee shop she lost due to the war;

“I Speak __ in Ukraine” about the language that has regrown in her body due to the invasion.

From the impact of the battlefield on intimate relationships, considering what life would be like without war, to deconstructing the complexity and entanglement of identity issues from colonial languages. Zhenya's reflections are not only specific to Ukraine; their essence transcends geography, inviting discussion from everyone.

The original English text is preserved in the physical book, and Liu Chih-Hsin, a journalist who has long reported on Ukraine, was invited to translate it into Chinese. The two works are bound in a way that maintains their individual independence, in hopes that Zhenya's thoughts will reach more readers through the production of the physical book, and also with the hope that in these turbulent times, everyone can live with greater conviction.

100% of the profits from this book will be invested in the production of another graphic novel about war.

Publication Year｜ 2026
Language｜ Bilingual (Chinese-English)
Dimensions｜ 10.5 × 14.8 × 0.8 cm



About the Author

Zhenya Oliinyk / Author

From Kyiv, Ukraine, Zhenya Oliinyk is an illustrator and cartoonist with a Master's degree in cultural studies, and previously worked as a journalist. Her work often focuses on issues such as mental health, social inequality, and social prejudice, and she has a unique insight and expression regarding war trauma. Her artistic style is characterized by vibrant colors, sharp lines, and strong contrasts of light and shadow. Her signature "faceless characters"—represented only by eyes and hairstyles—have become her most recognizable visual symbol.

Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Oliinyk has regarded comics as a way to bear witness to history, documenting daily life and inner turmoil during wartime. She often uses a humorous touch to make it easier for the world to understand Ukraine amidst the war. She transforms personal experiences into highly infectious visual narratives, inviting readers worldwide to continue paying attention to Ukraine's situation and culture.

Her works have been featured in internationally renowned media such as The New Yorker, The New York Times, Bloomberg Businessweek, and The Economist, and she received an honorable mention at the iJungle Illustration Awards in 2020 for editorial illustration.

Liu Chih-Hsin / Translator

A journalist and author, formerly the deputy editor-in-chief of The Reporter. Author of "The Truth Factory" and co-author of "Ukraine's Impossible War" and "20 Stories of Urban Regeneration." Since February 2022, he has continuously reported on Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.