Lost Fairy Tale.

The article discusses Julia Ioffe's book, *Motherland*, which explores the historical evolution of women's rights in Russia, highlighting that the country was once a leader in gender equality during the early Soviet era. Ioffe details the significant advancements made after the 1917 Russian Revolution, including the establishment of women's rights to education, work, and reproductive choices, spearheaded by figures like Alexandra Kollontai. However, the narrative shifts to the post-war period, where demographic crises led to a rollback of these rights under Stalin and subsequent leaders, culminating in contemporary challenges faced by women in Russia, including increased state pressure on reproductive rights and domestic violence. The book serves as a reminder of the historical context of gender issues in Russia, contrasting past progress with current setbacks. [Extracted from the article]