Lyubko Deresh

Lyubko Deresh is a young and yet famous Ukrainian author. Born in Lviv, he studied economics in the University of Lviv. But from an early age he dreamed to be a doctor. The anatomy atlases of his mother were so bright and intriguing, that he decided to become a surgeon at the age of 7. His father knew nothing about Lyubko’s fragile dreams. He wanted Lyubko to indulge in sports, for example rowing. In opposition to him Lyubko decided to practice music, so he started to play the saxophone at a local music school. At the age of 14 Lyubko Deresh left school for a Physical-Mathematical Liceum in Lviv, and studied Chemistry and Biology there. It was a good step from his side to accomplish his intents to become a doctor. Till that moment he changed his mind just a little: now Lyubko dreamed to be a psychiatrist. Lyubko imagined psychiatry to be almost as bright way of living life as becoming a surgeon, but — more intelligent.

Deresh has written two books for younger children, a number of essays and five novels: Kult (Cult), Pokloninnya yaschirzi (Worshiping the Lizard), ARCHE, Namir! (Aim!) and Trohy pitmy (A Bit of Darkness). The media have proclaimed him a Ukrainian Stephen King, and every one of Deresh’s new books arouses great interest of both his fans and the press. Several prominent Ukrainian publishing houses have bought licenses to print his books, and four of his novels have been released as audio books. Deresh’s works have been translated into several languages and printed in Poland, Germany, France and Italy. Currently, Bulgarian and Romanian versions of his books are scheduled to be published.

Awards, Stipends:

2003 — prize-winner of the national Ukrainian rating “Book of the Year” for the original novel

2004 — one-month stipend “Literatur Colloquium Berlin” (Berlin, Germany)

2005 — three-month stipend “Villa Decius” (Krakow, Poland)

2005 — short-list of the contests Ukrainian BBC “Book of the Year” with the original novel

2006 — prize-winner of the contests “Book of the Year” for the original novel

2007 — short-list of the contests Ukrainian BBC “Book of the Year” with the original novel