‘Alisa pokupaet smert” by Liudmila Ulitskaia

Alisa, 64, lost her parents at a young age, never had a family, and lived alone after retirement. A medical incident that left her unconscious for a short period of time caused her to confront her mortality, specifically the prospects of incapacitation and abandonment. As a result, she made the decision to obtain a bottle of barbiturates in order to assert control over the timing and manner of her potential demise and to reduce her perceived dependence on outside caregivers. In her quest for the drug, Alisa became involved with Alexander, a physician who had suffered the loss of his wife to cancer three years earlier. Their initial interaction evolved into a romantic relationship, facilitated by shared experiences and mutual understanding. After a year of courtship, they decided to formalize their relationship through marriage. It is noteworthy that, in recognition of Alisa's autonomy and prior intentions, Alexander symbolically presented her with a bottle of barbiturates as a token of their commitment. Alexander's family obligations extended to his two daughters, one of whom struggled with mental health issues and lived with him. This daughter became pregnant. However, tragedy struck when Alexander died suddenly in a car accident while waiting for the bus on his way to the hospital for the birth of his grandchild. The profound shock of this loss plunged his daughter Marina into emotional turmoil, necessitating professional intervention and subsequent hospitalization. In the aftermath of these events, Alisa assumed the responsibility of caring for the newborn, marking a significant shift in her life's trajectory. Tasked with the upbringing of her deceased spouse's grandchild, she now confronts the complexities of parenthood in her later years, embodying resilience and adaptability in the face of unforeseen circumstances. The narrative encourages reflection on the delicate balance between autonomy and dependence in old age, emphasizing the importance of proactive decision-making and maintaining supportive relationships. It also underscores the need for continued dialogue and possible legislative reform to address the complex challenges facing the aging population in Russia and beyond. These mechanisms are essential to preserving individual agency and dignity amid the inevitable physical decline associated with aging.

This narrative focuses primarily on maintaining autonomy in the face of advancing age and declining health, especially in the absence of family and societal support networks. In Russia's patriarchal society, it is common for children to care for their elderly parents. When this support is not available, the elderly often end up in state-run retirement homes, where conditions are less than ideal. Alisa is determined to prevent this outcome. According to Russian Federal Law No. 323 "On the Fundamentals of Public Health Protection," Article 45 prohibits assisted dying, which the law refers to as euthanasia. This legal restriction leaves individuals like Alisa with few options for maintaining control over their end-of-life decisions. In a desperate attempt to preserve her autonomy, physician Alexander commits a crime by giving Alisa a bottle of barbiturates. This act underscores the ethical and legal dilemmas faced by those who seek to help the elderly maintain their dignity and autonomy in the face of restrictive laws. The short story, published in 2020, did not spark a significant discussion in Russian society about assisted dying. It did, however, echo a 2019 statement by former health minister Veronika Skvortsova on the issue in which she stressed the importance of taking citizens' opinions into account when deciding whether to allow euthanasia in Russia.

Ulitskaia is a prominent voice among contemporary Russian writers. She now lives in exile in Germany and was declared a foreign agent in 2024. Her books have been removed from most Russian library catalogs, and the Russian publishing house AST has withheld her royalties.