The book by the famous writer Irina Polyanskaya (1952–2004) includes the best stories and a previously unpublished novel “How difficult it is to tear yourself away from mirrors...”. A recognized novelist and storyteller, Irina Polyanskaya received acting and literary education, worked as an accompanist, actress, trauma nurse, newspaper correspondent, and magazine editor. In the late 80s she was part of the group of young writers “New Amazons”, considered by critics to be part of the ideological and aesthetic movement of “new women’s prose” in modern Russian literature. The novel “How difficult it is to tear yourself away from mirrors...” is dedicated to first love and is largely autobiographical. . “The inner life of a gifted teenage girl becomes the subject of close attention. In the intricate relationships of girls and boys, built on nuances, in children's intrigues, breakups and friendships, a whole range of feelings is visible, the tension in the spiritual life of the heroine is created. This is traditional psychological prose, going back not so much to Tolstoy as to Proust, this is also modern impressionistic prose that has absorbed the experience of the entire 20th century. Personal melody is what distinguishes everything written by Irina Polyanskaya. It can sound strong and powerful, as in multifaceted polyphonic works, and it can sound quietly, shimmeringly tender, as in the last, farewell novel of a talented, untimely deceased writer.” (Alla Latynina)