Night Train to Odesa

A powerful, humane and unflinching account of the human cost of Russia’s war in Ukraine — told by an independent Scottish reporter on the ground.

Jen Stout’s vivid, empathetic dispatches from front lines, border posts, bunkers and night trains reveal the lives behind the headlines — and the resilience of people facing unimaginable upheaval.

About the Ebook

Night Train to Odesa begins on the day Russian tanks crossed into Ukraine — a moment that changed millions of lives. Among the vast movement of people was Scottish journalist Jen Stout, who left Moscow abruptly and found herself at a border post in southeast Romania. From there, she began documenting the human cost of the war.

Her reporting — from front lines, military hospitals, night trains, birthday parties, bunkers and shattered cities — brought the conflict home to readers in Scotland and beyond. With deep empathy and a sharp eye for detail, Stout captures the voices, fears, hopes and resilience of the people she meets.

This is the story of a young female reporter working without institutional backing or security, navigating danger, uncertainty and the emotional toll of witnessing war. Accessible, humane and deeply moving, Night Train to Odesa focuses not on geopolitics, but on people — their relationships, identities and the choices they face in extraordinary circumstances.

A BBC Radio 4 Book of the Week and winner of both the Saltire Society First Book of the Year Award and the Highland Book Prize.

Critical Praise

"A BBC Radio 4 Book of the Week — a remarkable, humane and essential account of war’s human cost."

Why You'll Love This Ebook

• First-hand reporting from a journalist working independently across Ukraine.
• Deeply human stories that illuminate the lived experience of war.
• Accessible, vivid writing that brings readers close to the people behind the headlines.
• Award-winning nonfiction recognised across the UK literary landscape.
• A standout Polygon title in contemporary reportage and current affairs.

About the Author

Jen Stout is an award‑winning journalist, writer and radio producer from Scotland. Originally from Shetland, she has lived in Germany and Russia and frequently reports from Ukraine. Her coverage of deportations in the Kharkiv region was shortlisted for an Amnesty Media Award. Night Train to Odesa is her first book and has won both the Saltire Society First Book of the Year Award and the Highland Book Prize.

Publication Details

Publisher: Birlinn Ltd

Imprint: Polygon

Publication Date: 2 May 2024

Print Length: 256 pages

ISBN (Ebook): 9781788856386

Format: Ebook

Language: English

Categories: Politics, Business & Current Affairs

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