Asya's Laws: Lessons in Love Lost and Found

Aysa grows up in 60's Soviet-controlled Latvia. Though a Baltic republic with a different language and culture, Soviet Russia controls almost every aspect of daily life. Aysa takes us through the details of shopping, marriage, education and tells us about Glasnost and how it released the "genie in the bottle"--the desire to have the freedoms that we often take for granted. Aysa punctuates many poignant and even tragicomic experiences with her "laws"-- for example, one of them is of course Murphy's Law (if anything can go wrong...) and my favorite "If you don't risk, you won't drink Champagne."

Along with a fascinating glimpse into the daily life of an era that has come and gone, Aysa tells us a very interesting memoir of her life and loves. And at the end of a most modern love story, Aysa shares with us her recipes for borscht and goulash. This is a wonderful, intimate memoir and a story of emotional growth and maturation set against a fascinating backdrop. Highly Recommended.

WOW - Awesome book. I didn't realize how much I took America for granted until I read this book. I have never been out of the country and though you hear about how people live and the laws they live under, I never really grasped it until I read this book. Asya Raines has a style of writing that has you living her life with her. Not only did she live in a country where she did not have the freedoms that we do and her relationships were also controlling, but she managed to stay strong, take the high road, and move forward to better herself. Even not knowing Asya, I am very proud of her for the way she took control of her life and always had her children's best interest at heart. I wish her and "Frustrated Writer" the very best in all that they do, including, I hope, writing more books. Thanks too for the recipes.

Asya's Laws is touching. A story that will tug at your heart. Highley recommend for book clubs. This is a book I will keep forever and share with everyone.

Asya's Laws is a well-written, enjoyable book that can be appreciated by many different groups of readers. It is, as other reviewers have pointed out, a personal story of a contemporary woman who leaves a society that few of us Americans have experienced, who is also able to make quick and clear correlations between her former lifestyle and ours. In telling the reader about her world, she also tells us about ours, in an honest and at times very amusing way. When Asya steps out of her narrative and speaks to you as a reader, she makes a very relevent and insightful observation. You have to think about what she says and reflect upon it for yourself.

Asya's Laws is also a story about human feelings. In a natural and personal way, Asya shares her experiences across the range of relationships, from family to friends, and helps us to understand things about happiness, love, prejudice, unfaithfulness and many other human emotions without resorting to drama or excessiveness.

The writing is sparse, not overly detailed, yet each word used creates a strong image. As I read it, I found myself wanting to continue from chapter to chapter, yet I often found myself caught by the shift in the narrative and the pace of Asya's life events as her story continues to unfold. It is a book that the reader will want to consume, because your attention is held in a way that makes the book difficult to put down. I found myself reflecting on Asya's life and wishing her the very best as she takes her life lessons forward.

A worthy addition to anyone's reading list.

I usually do not like biographical books, especially of someone I have never even heard of, but this one was an exception. Asya looks upon life as a gift and lives every day with that thought. I am truly amazed at the freedoms we Americans have, not really knowing how restrictive other countries are with their citizens. For example, when Asya (from Latvia) wanted to plan a vacation in Yugoslavia, she had to request approval, and pass a personal interview. Her application was rejected and she had to go to Bulgaria instead! Even then she was escorted by the government, and this was just for a vacation!!! This book was an easy read, very funny in parts and truly enlightening! This is a book to pass on to friends!